The Rings of Power star Lloyd Owen talks Elendil-Míriel ship, Númenórean superiority, and more

As an actor immersed in the fantastical world of Middle-earth, I find myself captivated by the profound depth and complexity that each character brings to the table. Lloyd Owen, portraying Elendil, embodies this enigma perfectly. His journey, a unique blend of Noah and Job, promises an intriguing exploration into the making of a legendary leader whose influence spans generations – a tale still resonating thousands of years later within the pages of The Lord of the Rings.

Currently, we’ve reached the closing stages of the second season for “The Rings of Power,” Amazon Prime Video’s grandiose (and costly) prequel series based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic “Lord of the Rings.” The show is filled with numerous interwoven storylines spread across Middle-earth, and we recently had the opportunity to speak with actor Lloyd Owen, who portrays loyal Númenórean captain Elendil, about his character’s experiences throughout this season, the challenging choices he made in the latest episode, and where things are headed moving forward.

One intriguing scene from your work that caught my attention is when Elendil stands trial in the Númenorean courtroom, accused of causing the disturbance from the previous episode. He’s asked if he regrets his actions and replies affirmatively. However, when asked if he will kneel to Pharazôn, he responds negatively. There are significant pauses before each response. Did Elendil contemplate answering differently? What thoughts might be going through his mind during these extended pauses?

Lloyd Owen is pondering the question, trying to recall specific details. In an edit, they may adjust the length of his pauses accordingly. The first response he must navigate involves political implications. He’s addressing Kemen’s responsibility and the loss of Valandil. Additionally, he’s dealing with Míriel’s instruction to maintain a certain stance due to its importance for Númenor, as foreseen in the palantír. This is the first response he needs to manage carefully because he doesn’t wish to answer this way, but he understands the necessity of adhering to his superior’s direct order. However, it contradicts his personal desire for retribution regarding recent events.

The second query presents an intriguing twist for him regarding his sense of duty and loyalty to his queen: it constitutes a direct challenge to his religious beliefs. In essence, he’s being asked to abandon his faith. To go along with Pharazôn as the ruler of Númenor contradicts the Valar and everything he deeply believes Númenor should stand for. At this juncture, any sense of duty or obligation to obey an order, or even Míriel’s request, cannot surpass his faith or that deep-seated instinct. He is unable to comply. This, I believe, represents the internal struggle he undergoes at this moment. Afterwards, he becomes resolute. It’s fascinating how their relationship dynamics shift slightly, with him now holding the moral high ground. This power balance between them alters subtly, a change that is further accentuated in the dungeon scene.

As a gamer immersed in the world of Tolkien, I can tell you that it’s fascinating how Tar-Míriel and Elendil are portrayed separately, yet when we imagine their stories unfolding, there seems to be an untold tale between them. However, when we envision these characters in challenging situations together, the shared burden of responsibility, loss, and faith they carry creates a profound bond. They’ve walked through the flames side by side, and their solitary struggles have brought them closer. Interestingly enough, they’re both single figures experiencing grief, which further strengthens their connection through shared experiences.

In the final scene of Season 1, Episode 8, we found ourselves on a boat, returning from our defeat. We discussed our losses and the destiny that seemed to compel us both to press forward. This interaction was scripted, but there was an unexpected element between Cynthia and me – a profound connection that wasn’t rehearsed. It seems that the showrunners, writers, and producers recognized this moment, and it appears to be the reason behind the development of our storyline. In my opinion, it all makes logical sense in the context of the series.

Although I believe neither of them would openly admit it, it’s more a matter of impossibility rather than forbiddenness. She is my queen and I am her captain, making such a relationship improbable. Moreover, they are not fully aware of each other’s feelings on the subject. In Episode 5, their interaction seems to hint at something more, with me considering holding her hand in response to her touch on my chest. However, she withdrew her hand before I could act, presumably fearing it was too long. If you were to speak to either of them, they might not be surprised by these feelings, but the bond they share through shared hardships and faith makes their relationship…let’s just say it’s a ship that sails in the hearts of many fans.

It seems as if their relationship is meant to be, with the internet finding it difficult to resist shipping them together.

I mean, look, I’ve got a dog in this fight, and I don’t know what the writers are going to write, but it’s almost like in my head…I don’t think they ever get to kiss. I don’t think they ever get to say it. Maybe, I don’t know. Maybe Númenór goes down and it’s almost and it doesn’t, you know, or the love gets declared and then it can’t be. I don’t know how you how you do it without diminishing it, but but elevating it. So it’s gonna be really interesting. I mean, I’m glad I’m not a writer. Let’s see what they come up with.

You were talking about the way Tolkien wrote things. I went back and checked and I’d almost forgotten how huge a journey Elendil has. How aware are you of the source material? Some actors don’t read the source material, they just read the scripts, some look ahead, some read the books. Which kind are you? And if you have looked ahead, are you playing that as an actor or just more being in the moment?

That’s a really good question. I’m a theatre actor. I’m doing a play at the moment. When you do a play, you get the whole thing. So you always get the whole thing. You Get a Shakespeare play, there it is and you go, ‘I go from here to there.’ So you always know what your ending is. But the the culture in film and television, particularly TV at the moment, is it’s developing as it’s writing, it’s being created. What we have here is a template. So to a certain extent, J.D. and Patrick have an arc…I don’t know where the arc ends, but perhaps to the Last Alliance of Elves and Men? It makes makes logical sense.

As a theater enthusiast, I appreciate Brecht’s innovative approach to storytelling – he would clearly label each scene’s purpose before it unfolded. For me, the thrill of drama doesn’t lie in the twists and turns of the narrative but rather in exploring the characters themselves. With Elendil, I’m intrigued not just by his eventual destination, but by the journey that shapes him into a figure as significant as Noah or Job. His role in leading people, learning to rule, and experiencing loss is monumental, and I can’t wait to see how this ordinary man becomes an extraordinary leader whose influence echoes through thousands of years – even in Middle-earth’s tales like The Lord of the Rings, where there are poems dedicated to him.

Absolutely, it’s quite enjoyable! I’ve read a lot, and one of our birds is known as a magpie. They collect small items from different sources to construct their nests. As an actor, you need to be like a magpie, gathering what seems good, saying ‘I’ll take this, that’s useful.’ Then, you try to incorporate all these bits into the script, because you must work with what’s given. However, if something is in the book but not in the script, then it’s about finding a balance on how much of that extra detail can be included. That’s always a delicate balancing act.

I don’t know why, but I I’ve gotten to interview all the Númenór people. I got to interview you, I got to interview Trystane Gravelle, I got to interview Cynthia Addai-Robinson, so I’m the Númenór guy. Is there a special bomb between the Númenór cast specifically, or are you all just one big happy Lord of the Rings family?

Due to being in lockdown in New Zealand, where we found ourselves relying on each other since our own families weren’t present, and having no friends either, we quickly formed a close-knit group. As newcomers to the island of New Zealand without any acquaintances, this situation brought us closer together, particularly during the lockdown period. This shared experience fostered an additional bond among us, resulting in us becoming a genuinely content and united family.

In my fandom experience, I didn’t encounter the Númenóreans until episode 3 of season 1. It felt like stepping into a world where they had been long established, much like joining an ongoing game of Lord of the Flies (a jest since it’s a different story altogether). But we had a WhatsApp group named “Númenór Knights,” where we’d gather for dinners and share insights on our scenes. This was reminiscent of how all the harfoots were interacting together.

In essence, we share a close bond, and within our group, there’s a special sector known as Númenór, which we proudly refer to as our version of The Rings of Power. We like to joke about our superiority, boasting about our mighty army, the greatest ever assembled, and our status as the most advanced civilization. Everyone else seems to envy us and aspire to emulate our ways.

Appreciate you, Lloyd Owen, for taking time to chat with us! Catch new episodes of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” every Thursday on Amazon Prime Video.

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2024-09-19 18:42