We talk to the actors behind Sauron, Elrond and more about The Rings of Power season 2

As a film enthusiast who has had the privilege of delving into the world of The Rings of Power, I must say that Alex Desinhof and Charlotte Brändström have truly captured the magic of Middle-earth. Their camaraderie and shared vision for this epic series are evident in every frame.

This week saw the airing of the final episode for Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. We’ve been fortunate enough to chat with various cast and team members about the series, its progression, the characters, and where the story might head next. Take a look at our exclusive interviews below!

Interviews have been edited for clarity and length.

Robert Aramayo (Elrond) and Benjamin Walker (Gil-galad) talk snatching victory from the jaws of defeat

WinterIsComing: Did you enjoy being part of the intense action sequences in episodes 3 and 4 of The Rings of Power, since you were mostly absent from the action in season 1’s major episode? Also, could you share some insights about your preparation for these action-packed scenes?

Robert Aramayo: Essentially, we were portraying the siege of Eregion – you get the picture, right? It involved a fight against orcs in another location, but things would have been different if not for the intense pressure and sense of responsibility I felt. This was the siege of Eregion, after all, it’s documented, we don’t often depict such events during the Second Age. The weight of wanting to do it justice was heavy on me. Despite altering some aspects of its timeline and how it unfolds, the essence remains similar. In short, I felt that responsibility keenly while working on it.

Benjamin Walker: There was quite a bit of preparation involved, especially for the fight scenes, particularly for Rob. However, I believe we owed the most preparation to our crew. The months it took to transform a grassy knoll in the woods into Eregion, filled with debris, destruction, and flames, was truly humbling at the least.

Benjamin Walker: Despite the overall situation being challenging, we find ourselves in a stronger position. In the first episode, it might appear that Middle-earth is experiencing greater tranquility, but our bonds have become strained. For instance, you’re leaping off waterfalls! On the other hand, even though we’ve endured a tactical loss, lost dear friends and the magnificent city of Eregion in the last episode, we remain united by our shared principles and ultimate objective. There is far more optimism in what we can achieve when we collaborate effectively.

Moreover, Charlotte Brändström, the episode director, skillfully sets the atmosphere by indicating the elves’ spirit even before the king completes his full rotation to raise his sword. In essence, you can sense that the Elvish battle cry is about to echo from the forest. Instead of urging like “alright everyone, let’s get back in action!”, it feels more like a question of determination: ‘are we ready for this?’ And there is an emphatic response of affirmation.

Robert Aramayo: Yeah.

Robert Aramayo: Pretending to kiss her as a disguise, I would say. There’s a purpose behind it, adding a glimmer of hope to the situation. However, keep in mind that it’s also an intensely dramatic moment, and he believes she might not survive much longer. Thus, it carries a strong emotional weight. And yet, it’s meant to be strange, I think.

Charlie Vickers outlines Sauron’s intentions on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Charlie Vickers: “Indeed, that particular scene really caught the attention of Charles Edwards (who played Celebrimbor) and me when we first read the script. It’s a scene that I’ve been asked about frequently during the past few months of promotional events, especially when people ask which scene I’m most excited about. I used to reply, ‘Oh, there’s one in episode eight, but I can’t reveal it.’ Now, however, I may.

“It was an incredibly intense a day, two days even. But we did the bulk of it on one day. And yeah, it was demanding. Charlie in particular had really long speech that he had to do. And then he was hoisted up the wall when he was impaled on the spear. It was really swings and roundabouts. And it’s kind of the first window into Sauron’s full descent into darkness, because we’ve seen him and we know that he’s manipulating, but now he’s openly torturing someone. And I think it was also exciting because it’s canonical, right? Celebrimbor’s torso was full of arrows when he died. And so to be able to tell that story and then impale him on the spear and hoist him into the air was really cool, because it’s an iconic image in Tolkien.”

From Vickers’ point of view, he sees the character as genuine because he shares this perspective. He recognizes the need for his character to heal and reorganize Middle-earth, as specified by Tolkien. However, Vickers also acknowledges that Sauron represents absolute evil in the stories, a role he must fulfill. As an actor, Vickers balances these aspects by ensuring his actions are grounded in truth while still serving the story as the villain. He understands that these two roles do not exclude each other; his character can act with conviction and then occasionally overstep boundaries from our perspective, but for him, such incidents are temporary setbacks before moving on.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel a pang as I witness this character slaughter Celebrimbor – a creative partner he deeply admired and respected. The emotion is palpable in his actions, and it’s clear that losing Celebrimbor hits him hard. But there’s more to the story: Celebrimbor had previously outwitted him, taking the nine from him, leaving him vulnerable. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.

Charlie Vickers: “They’re both equally challenging. It’s been really fun to…delve into like the darker parts of the character [in season 2] was really fun, as he starts to be show his true colors a bit more. [That’s] been really cool to explore. But one thing I’m super excited about with this character and I love doing is that, like, he’s always is different and it’s equally challenging, because it always needs to be grounded in the truth of the character. But like, what’s he gonna do next? Who is he gonna manipulate next? He’s the deceiver, right? So it gives you a lot of license as an actor to really play and that’s the part I love the most about it.”

Markella Kavenagh (Nori) and Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Míriel) talk The Rings of Power season 2 (and beyond)

Markella expressed her belief that the character is now prepared to seize control of her destiny, as she has long desired to venture out independently and uncover new territories. This current situation presents a fantastic chance for her, backed by recognition and support, confirming that her intuition was correct and there may be possibilities ahead that could aid the harfoots in finding a permanent home at some point down the line. Given this, Markella strongly feels it’s the perfect moment for her to embark on this journey, honoring her lifelong pursuit and what she thought was unattainable.

Cynthia Addai-Robinson: “Indeed, let me clarify: she is contemplating, not giving in to pity or despair. Instead, I believe she’s strategizing, planning a fight from within. She’s an intelligent woman who knows Pharazôn and the nature of humans. Consequently, I am confident that even while chained and accused falsely, there will be a strategic approach to her situation.

As a gamer, I’ve been pondering this situation, and it struck me that there might be followers who view Míriel as the rightful leader. They’ve seen the trial by the sea, they share her beliefs… You get the picture, she’s not battling alone. Given this perspective, I believe our next moves should be about strategy and timing, considering what may transpire in the future. But, there’s a sense of despair hanging over New Manor. I don’t think it’s her personal despair, but rather a deep concern for her people and their destiny.

Director Charlotte Brändström and cinematographer Alex Desinhof talk creating The Rings of Power

Charlotte Brändström: “Working together harmoniously happens when you share similar perspectives, appreciate the same aspects, and feel in sync rhythmically, aesthetically, and thematically. You both enjoy the same elements, such as the acting, lighting, design, and overall look of a project. This makes collaboration enjoyable because it’s not about constant disagreements; instead, it feels like a shared effort. I particularly appreciate working with Alex because he doesn’t limit his focus to just lighting, which is already excellent, but he also considers various details such as costumes, makeup, and performances. Essentially, he aims for overall quality.

Over the course of 238 days, from one season to the next, we’ve spent a significant amount of time together. This has led us to not only work closely but also develop a friendship. We’ve reached a point where we understand each other without much conversation. I know his preferences, and he knows what I need when we arrive in the morning. We have a system for managing our day and preparing for it. It’s comforting to have someone by your side whom you can trust completely because the job can be tough. We’re out there all day, battling various challenges and elements. It’s never easy, but having people who are fighting alongside you towards the same goal makes a tremendous difference.

Translation: “Indeed, our first encounter was during a Zoom meeting while both of us were in quarantine in New Zealand. Prior to this, we hadn’t met before. Starting any new project can be nerve-wracking, especially something as massive as this one – when I joined the team, it was the largest project you’d ever encountered. They were sending you to New Zealand and here’s the director: go. Luckily, there was an instant connection, a mutual understanding that eased our apprehensions. As Charlotte mentioned earlier, trust is crucial in this situation – she trusts me, which empowers me to deliver my best work and take risks, and I, in turn, trust her. Charlotte is incredibly dedicated and always thinks beyond the script. We’ve been through thick and thin together, and it’s something I take great pride in.

Charlotte Brändström: “In my opinion, during the first season, we were fortunate to receive suitable episodes. These episodes allowed us an opportunity to establish our unique style, as they took place after the Mount Doom explosion. This enabled us to create the intriguing and eerie orange glow amidst the ash fallout. In the second season, I believe they intentionally assigned us to work on the major battle episodes due to our strong performance in the first season.

Alex Desinhof: “I enjoy tackling difficult projects. I believe both of us are motivated by a compelling narrative. What makes this series remarkable is its richness and variety. We invested countless weeks into filming the battles, but we also dedicated a significant amount of time to intense dramatic scenes with actors. This creates a nice balance. One of the best aspects of this show is that one week we’re shooting on the side of a volcano in the desert of the Canary Islands, and the next week we’re working in a blacksmith forge making rings. The following week, we’re exploring the caves of Khazad-dûm, and then we’re out on a battlefield. This way, we have nearly five distinct filmmaking styles all rolled into one, and it’s thrilling and enjoyable.

Appreciation to all for engaging in our conversation! You can stream both seasons of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” right now on Amazon Prime Video. If a third season materializes, it might not arrive until 2026.

2024-10-05 17:42