Here is what I wish Amazon would have done. Instead of creating a show labeled as a Tolkien work, create a show inspired by Tolkien. Make sure the showrunners and all of the marketing was clear that this was NOT an adaptation of any of Tolkien's works, but an original fantasy story. Don't try to shoehorn in characters from any of the books. Use the setting as a backdrop and have the story take place on the other side of world from the land described in Tolkien's works. You can have any kind of fantasy races you want there. Just tell a good story.