Actor Robyn Malcolm says there should be some role changes in Amazon Studios' Lord of the Rings TV series.

Auckland's been confirmed as the main production base for the series, with pre-production already underway.

Malcolm told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the series will be massive for the local industry.

"We're never going to get away from our association!"

She says that she hopes local actors get significant work but that the community is not expecting much from the show though, as main roles will likely come from overseas. 

"They'll come with money attached to them and they'll be part of some deal."

Malcolm hopes that the writing refreshes the storyline and changes the perspective from being male-focused as the original film series was.

She says that if Gandalf's in the show - he should be played by a woman.

"Ian McKellen did a beautiful job, but we don't need another old white dude, why not have Judi Dench. I reckon an old Maori kuia would be a fantastic direction to take."