As a longtime devotee of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic saga and a connoisseur of Middle-earth lore, I find myself utterly captivated by the intriguing cast of characters that have emerged from Amazon’s The Rings of Power. Each character, in their unique ways, breathes new life into the rich tapestry of Tolkien’s mythology and offers a fresh perspective on familiar realms.
The epic tale of “The Lord of the Rings” had its beginnings with the charming fantasy novel, “The Hobbit.” Initially penned by author J.R.R. Tolkien as a single story, it introduced Bilbo Baggins, our seemingly ordinary protagonist who stumbles upon a mystical ring. This ring was initially intended as a means for Bilbo to evade the creature Gollum in the narrative. However, plans took an unexpected turn when Tolkien’s publisher demanded a follow-up story, inspired by the unprecedented success of “The Hobbit.”
Instead of writing a traditional follow-up, J.R.R. Tolkien opted for a unique narrative path. He delved deeper into the ring he’d only hinted at earlier, which led to the creation of The Lord of the Rings, an influential trilogy of mature literature that significantly shaped the fantasy genre.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary work has been transformed into various media types. The most well-known adaptations are Peter Jackson’s highly praised The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, Jackson’s less lauded The Hobbit series, and Amazon’s ongoing TV production titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Over the coming weeks, Amazon will air all eight episodes of season 2.
Regardless of its record-breaking $1 billion production cost across five seasons, The Rings of Power has sparked controversy among devotees of The Lord of the Rings. This series, set in Middle-earth’s Second Age, strays from much of Tolkien’s established history of Middle-Earth. Despite his extensive writings on this topic and the abundant source material available, the show chooses to deviate from it.
In the intricately woven tales of J.R.R. Tolkien, these ten characters are not to be found, as they were exclusively crafted for the screenplay.
10 Kemen
Kemen, portrayed by Leon Wadham, hails from a distinguished Númenórean family during the Second Age, being the son of Chancellor Pharazôn. While Pharazôn is a well-established character, Kemen was specifically crafted for “The Rings of Power” series. A budding politician, Kemen yearns for his father’s validation and might resort to drastic measures to achieve it.
Apart from his apparent fondness for character Eärien, Kemen’s story could also lead to a heartbreaking conclusion. Since the fate of his father ended disastrously and brought about the Fall of Númenor, it seems plausible that Kemen’s tale will share a similar tragic ending.
9 Eärien
Eärien, known as Ema Horvath, was a woman from Númenor during the Second Age and the child of esteemed Lord Elendil. Of particular interest is her relationship with Isildur, a renowned warrior, who severed the One Ring from Sauron’s hand but chose not to destroy it. This decision ultimately set in motion the series of events that unfold in The Lord of the Rings.
In the realm of Middle-earth, both Elendil and Isildur were creations by Tolkien, whereas Eärien is an innovative character exclusively designed for the series. It’s rumored that in Season 2, Eärien will be drawn towards the antagonistic side of the escalating Númenórean conflict, possibly even opposing her father.
8 The Mystics
As a movie reviewer, I’d say: In this film, we encounter an intriguing trio who, despite having individual identities – The Nomad (played by Edith Poor), The Ascetic (portrayed by Kali Kopae), and The Dweller (performed by Bridie Sisson) – seem to function as a single ominous entity. Their characters bear a striking resemblance to the Three Witches from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” embodying malevolent magic users that add an unsettling layer to the narrative.
In this tale, characters hailing from Rhûn set out to capture a figure we simply call the Stranger (portrayed by Daniel Weyman). They believed him to be Sauron, the embodiment of evil. However, instead of being captured, the Stranger—a powerful wizard who fell from the skies—overpowers the Mystics and sends them away to a hidden realm. Whether they reappear in season 2 remains uncertain.
It seems that The Stranger is missing from this roster, as we are still unaware of his true identity, which is expected to be unveiled in the upcoming season 2.
Although wizards are primarily associated with the Third Age, there is a precedent for Second Age wizards in Tolkien’s work. In Tolkien’s historical volume, The Peoples of Middle-earth, it mentions that two Blue Wizards arrived in Middle-earth during the Second Age, sent to weaken Sauron. Is the Stranger one of these Blue Wizards? Or will The Rings of Power throw us another weird curveball and reveal him to be Gandalf or Saruman?
7 Theo
Theo (Tyroe Muhafidin) is Bronwyn’s son and hails from the village of Tirharad inhabited by the Men. A young warrior in training, he assumes a role similar to Robin alongside Arondir, like Batman’s sidekick. Of particular interest, he uncovers an enigmatic sword handle branded with the symbol of Sauron.
It’s revealed that the Orc Sigil Hilt, as it’s known, is a cursed blade crafted by Morgoth, the evil ruler who essentially set the stage for Sauron. To rescue his mother, Theo gives up the sword hilt to malevolent forces, leading to devastating repercussions across Middle-Earth.
6 Bronwyn
In the magical realm of Tirharad, I, a humble apothecary and healer named Bronwyn, am Theo’s mother. As a lone woman, I found myself captivated by the enchanting Elf, Arondir – a love forbidden in Middle-Earth. Just like my son, I was born as an original character in the captivating tapestry of The Rings of Power. Unfortunately, the talented actress who brought me to life, Nazanin Boniadi, decided not to continue her journey with us in season 2. Unlike other roles, Bronwyn’s part was not recast, hinting at a tragic turn of events for my character in the upcoming season.
5 Poppy Proudfellow
Amazon had concerns that “The Rings of Power” might lack the authentic feel of Middle-earth if it didn’t include the beloved hobbits. However, hobbits aren’t part of Tolkien’s history until the Third Age. To address this, Amazon chose to delve into a prehistoric version of these creatures known as Harfoots, a type of hobbit that was created by Tolkien himself.
In my perspective, much like Amazon aimed to recreate the profound bond between the wizard and halfling characters in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, if the enigmatic figure is likened to Gandalf (symbolically, not literally), and Nori represents Frodo or Bilbo Baggins, then Poppy Proudfellow (Megan Richards) embodies the steadfast Samwise Gamgee. However, it’s important to note that while Harfoots were present in Tolkien’s lore, Poppy Proudfellow was not one of them. She is Nori’s most trusted ally and aide, assisting her in caring for the Stranger. Fingers crossed, Poppy won’t have to bear the literal weight of Nori’s burden in future episodes.
4 Adar
In the series The Rings of Power, Adar is depicted as a wicked Elf who serves as one of the first and foremost Orcs, leading them. He prefers to be called an “Uruk”, which translates to Orcs in the dark and cursed language of Mordor, known as Black Speech. Notably, it’s Adar who persuades Theo to hand over the Orc Sigil Hilt, paving the way for the formation of Mordor. It should be noted that Adar is not part of Tolkien’s original history. In season 1, Joseph Mawle played the role of Adar, but in season 2, Sam Hazeldine will portray him instead.
3 Disa
In the world of Middle-earth, Sophia Nomvete’s character Disa is portrayed as the wife of Durin IV (Owain Arthur) and the princess of Khazad-dûm. She exhibits a commanding presence, significantly influencing her husband and acting as his principal counselor. Essentially, they form a powerful duo in Middle-earth. Unlike Durin IV, who is a figure from J.R.R. Tolkien’s established history, Disa is a character specifically crafted for the Amazon series, “The Rings of Power.” Much like the enigmatic Mystics, her persona draws inspiration from Lady Macbeth, a character from William Shakespeare’s play, “Macbeth.”
2 Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot
Previously noted, Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot (played by Markella Kavenagh) can be likened to Frodo/Bilbo Baggins in “The Rings of Power”. She is a halfling who harbors a passion for exploration and has an affinity for wizards. Throughout the first season, Nori provided assistance and care to the enigmatic stranger. In the upcoming second season, it’s said that Nori will accompany the Stranger on their journey to the mystifying eastern lands of Rhûn.
1 Arondir
Besides Galadriel, Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) is among the principal characters featured in The Rings of Power. Unlike many Elves portrayed in Tolkien’s universe, who are aristocratic and haughty, Arondir serves as a frontline combatant. He had a forbidden romance with human healer Bronwyn, but this relationship will evolve in season 2, as the character was not recast.
Since Elves are immortal, yet Arondir isn’t present in “The Lord of the Rings,” but characters like Galadriel and Elrond are, it seems likely that we might be in store for a sad ending for this Silvan Elf.
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2024-09-03 02:32