Exclusive: The Rings of Power star Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Míriel) teases the back half of season 2

As a huge fan of both The Accountant and The Rings of Power, I must say it’s truly inspiring to hear Cynthia Addai-Robinson talk about her journey with these projects. Her experience of moving from Middle-earth to The Accountant 2, and then back to Middle-earth again, is something that any fan can appreciate.

Right now, the second installment of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” is streaming on Prime Video. Recently, we had a fascinating conversation with Cynthia Addai-Robinson who portrays Queen Míriel of the island nation Númenor. In the third episode of this season titled “The Eagle and the Sceptre,” her coronation as queen was disrupted by the discovery that she’s been using an ancient elven relic, a Palantír, to guide her decisions. Many citizens of Númenor are wary of all things elven, so this wasn’t well received. Instead, Ar-Pharazôn was crowned, with some believing the appearance of a sacred eagle signaled him as the rightful king. However, Míriel’s coronation could just as easily been seen as an omen supporting her claim to the throne.

In our conversation with Addai-Robinson, we delve into various topics. The current mental state of Míriel, as her ruler fades away, is one such topic. We also discuss what the remaining episodes of season 2 might bring, and hint at potential developments for season 3. For a comprehensive understanding, you can find our condensed and clear interview below:

As a fan finding myself back for another season with Cynthia Addai-Robinson, I must admit that comparing isn’t easy. On one side, returning allows me to grow even closer to my character, almost merging with them over time. However, our first season was filmed under extraordinary circumstances in beautiful New Zealand. I arrived at the end of 2020, right when the world was grappling with the pandemic, which meant working in a sort of protective bubble amidst the unknown in many ways.

On our second round of filming, we switched locations within the UK. It wasn’t a complete reboot, but we welcomed many new members to our team. It offered us a chance to work in a fresh setting with different conditions. I wouldn’t categorize it as easier or harder; instead, it was about finding what worked for us and adapting swiftly when necessary.

It’s clear that beyond understanding our unique personalities, we’ve developed a strong bond with each other. This connection seems almost instinctual, like a secret language or shared energy. To an outsider, we might look like a crazy family, having been through a significant part of our lives together – four years, which is the equivalent of high school. Even those who don’t share much screen time with me, I’ve journeyed alongside for quite some time, almost like a theatrical troupe. This shared experience has allowed us not only to perform and tell our story, but also to explore the world and meet fans from all corners of the globe. In essence, I’m truly grateful for this entire adventure.

So you guys switched from filming in New Zealand to England. Does that mean that the Númenor sets were rebuilt in England after they were in New Zealand, or were you guys on location? How did the move affect the Númenor scenes specifically?

Speaking about it, we certainly sent over a large shipment containing sets, props, costumes, and various other items that were constructed off-site. Moreover, we’ve broadened the geographical scope of Middle-earth, revealing new regions and territories, some of which we haven’t visited before like Númenor. For those specific areas, we also filmed in Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands in Spain. This allowed us to capture stunning Mediterranean coastlines that better suit the shores of Númenor. Although some significant scenes from a pivotal shoot haven’t been aired yet, they will provide an opportunity to explore new landscapes and take advantage of the talented crew we have here in the UK. In essence, we managed to combine the best aspects of both locations and countries.

I was curious if you could elaborate on a particular point from the show. In episode 2, season 2, titled “The Eagle and The Speptre,” during the grand climax when Miriel is being crowned, an eagle appears, followed by everyone shouting ‘Pharazôn, Pharazôn, Pharazôn.’ It seemed to me that Miriel might have been thinking, ‘This eagle is here for me. Why are they all reacting as if it’s for you? This is my coronation. This bird is mine. Let’s focus on me again.’ Was this a feeling that you or the character of Miriel experienced, or was there any discussion about it in the show?

As a devoted admirer, I find your argument valid. It’s almost as though I’m asking, “Where are my cheering section amidst the crowd? Why wasn’t there someone to stand up for me, or better yet, why didn’t I stand up for myself?

In simpler terms, what I find fascinating about that moment, as well as Míriel’s situation prior to her coronation, is the struggle she faces despite being the rightful heir to the throne. Although she was destined to lead since birth, there’s a sense of hesitation within her, questioning whether she is truly the right person to guide her people. This hints at her humility and love for her country, which mirrors Pharazôn’s feelings. Both believe they know what’s best for their people, but they approach it differently. However, with so much chaos surrounding them, there seems to be no opportunity to clarify or assert her claim to the throne before the crowd takes control and disorder ensues. It’s almost like the situation spirals out of control without a chance to declare her leadership.

It seems uncertain if she truly possesses it, but perhaps the eagle isn’t present for her, just as they discussed earlier in the episode about the eagle’s appearance for her father, the king. This scene might also symbolize the initial signs of the divide that was hinted at in season 1, marking the beginning of this rift. If rewritten or in an alternate universe storyline, maybe a single voice could call out to me instead.

Could I inquire about the languages, pronunciation, names like Miriel and Númenor? How did you manage to articulate those pronunciations? Do you all have trainers to help with this? Is it something that feels natural to you now, or do you still need to think about it when saying these fictional words and accents?

In simpler terms, the group frequently talks about our exceptional dialect coach, Leith McPherson, who guides us on various dialects including Quenya and Sindarin. If you’re a Tolkien enthusiast, you know he was a linguist himself. The story we’re creating is heavily influenced by language, aiming to establish a world where these languages can thrive. In essence, we’re contemplating a world and its people who give reasons for a language’s development and continuation.

In simpler terms, we often collaborate with Leigh, and some people have a natural knack for languages, accents, and other aspects like rolling Rs. What makes our performances entertaining for the audience is that many of us adopt distinct dialects for our characters. This way, viewers might not immediately recognize an Australian, Welsh, Kiwi, or American accent, which adds to the character’s authenticity and immerses them in the character’s world. If I were playing Míriel, you wouldn’t embark on the same journey; instead, you would only hear Cynthia (or me), as I am, which is perfectly fine for certain roles.

Speaking of Míriel, she seems to be going through a tough time so far. Can you share any hints or spoilers about what might change for her in the second part?

CAR: Well, I don’t know how much I can tease, but obviously we know that…Pharazôn has essentially claimed this position of power. It now does become a question of, well, what becomes of a former queen regent? What happens to her? What’s her position, what’s her place? It’s this revelation of dabbling in the equivalent of the dark arts, in witchcraft. You know, this Palantír reveal is kind of a bit like, ‘oh my God. Like, that’s how she’s making decisions?’ So…not only has she failed the Númenoreans but she’s sort of using something that is controversial, essentially. And so what becomes of her? She’s not just going to head into the Númenorean night…Does she suffer the fate of her father Tar-Palantir, who was kind of like a mad king locked in a tower, babbling about things he’s seen in the seeing stone? Is that sort of the perception at this point, that she is kind of doomed to sort of repeat that fate?

So there’s a lot of interesting questions. What do you do? How do you solve a problem like Míriel? What do you do with her? And I think I can tease that her ally and the person who shares the worldview alongside her is Elendil. They have sort of been through the fire together, the literal and proverbial fire. And they share the belief of the way forward. And me personally, in terms of the thematic element of what I think we’re really exploring with the Númenor storyline specifically is the idea of faith and having faith and having belief in something, not religious faith per se but in a cause or in a course. And so I think you’re gonna really see how they sort of apply that and navigate the challenge ahead. So I think that’s really what you’re seeing is like a test of this belief system of theirs. And if what is meant to be is meant to be, can they sort of trust that that is the right set of events?

Could it be that Míriel harbors self-doubt, given her performance in Middle-earth during the first season seemed less than perfect? Earlier, you mentioned a possibility that she might have had doubts about her fitness for the throne during her coronation. Now that she’s confronting a fresh challenge to her rule, how do you think her mindset has evolved?

LEADERSHIP: Throughout history and in reality, individuals in leadership roles often face self-doubt, even when they are predestined or chosen for the position. At some juncture, you will experience self-doubt and be put to the test. Each trial serves as an opportunity to confirm whether you were meant for that role or not. I appreciate the notion that one can be powerful and steadfast in their beliefs while simultaneously acknowledging self-doubt. It’s what makes us human. It’s more about questioning oneself than being fearful.

At last, one might ponder, if Pharazôn truly had the right to rule and that decision would steer Númenor’s course, is it acceptable? If destiny had decreed this choice, would it be just? After all, throughout her entire life, she was led to believe she would become queen. Thus, there seems to be an intriguing concept worth delving into – the struggle of harboring doubts, yet being resolute in believing that one’s moral compass makes them a force for good. Despite their shared interests, Pharazôn and she begin to diverge at this critical juncture.

As a gamer, I can relate. She’s got her doubts, no doubt about that. But they’re not the kind that freeze her in place. Instead, it feels like she’s at a crossroads, wondering what’s next and if there will be a clue to guide her. You know, it’s like she’s considering a shift or pondering a question: What’s the next move? Will there be a sign I can read?

Moving on from “The Rings of Power,” I’m excited about “The Accountant 2” releasing soon. By any chance, do you have any professional aspirations or dream projects in mind for the future?

The Product: Self-generated. I am brimming with enthusiasm as we progress. To begin with, I’m absolutely thrilled about the upcoming release of The Accountant 2. You see, I completed filming that back in June. Consequently, the start of the year found me in a rather distinct environment. It was intriguing to transition from Middle-earth and being entirely engrossed there, to revisiting something I worked on eight years ago – quite remarkable when you consider it. There’s still a significant amount of affection and positive sentiment associated with that film. It’s something I continue to be proud of, and its enduring life on Netflix, cable, planes, and more is astounding. Every time I glance over, someone seems to be watching it, which is incredible. Therefore, not only was it a pleasure to revisit this project, but also to collaborate with many of the same individuals involved in the initial one. Our director, Gavin O’Connor, and writer, Bill Dubuque; obviously Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, J. K. Simmons; and getting the chance to work alongside Ben and Jon because I didn’t share any screen time with them during the first movie. It was a captivating opportunity to essentially square off against these talented actors and learn from them.

Moving forward, I’m thrilled about taking control of my opportunities instead of waiting for them, and expressing the stories that truly inspire me personally. My husband and I are actively creating our own projects and concepts. Sometimes, people may have preconceived notions about you, but I relish the opportunity to defy those expectations or astonish them by pushing boundaries and trying something new – something I’m unsure if others would associate with me, yet I know I’m capable of more. On-camera, there’s a certain flow and rhythm, but what excites me is being involved in shaping a story from its inception, advocating for diverse narratives…I yearn to be part of that process.

Moving forward, I believe this journey continues to be significant for me since I’m collaborating with exceptional individuals who inspire me. Working alongside directors such as Gavin and Charlotte Brandstrom on Rings, I feel like I’m learning from them without them even realizing it. My aim is to keep growing under their guidance throughout the year and beyond.

Hey there! I’m just checking if by any chance you might have some updates regarding “The Rings of Power” Season 3. As a massive fan, I can’t help but wonder if you’re currently in London and possibly walking onto the Númenor set? Wishing you’re having an amazing time there!

CAR: Well, I definitely don’t have an answer for you. If you somehow interview any of our powers that be and they are at liberty to tell you, then hopefully they’ve got an answer for you. But I certainly would say that, you know, it goes without saying that the story continues. Obviously, even beyond the scope of our series, it’s the density of book storytelling, and this is just looking at the Second Age. So I know that all of us are primed and ready. See what I did there? I wasn’t even trying to make the pun.

We’re eagerly anticipating the future, hoping to carry on with this tale. As each episode unfolds in the ongoing season, my enthusiasm only grows, considering we’ve already shared half of it. I hope that viewers, week after week, will share this excitement and be eager for more by the end. Thus, when Season 2 concludes and everyone has witnessed our achievements, I hope the general sentiment is, ‘Let’s create more, let’s explore more.’

A big thank you goes out to Cynthia Addai- Robinson for taking the time to talk with us! Tune in for the latest episodes of “The Rings of Power” every Thursday on Amazon’s Prime Video.

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2024-09-08 15:42