The Rings Of Power’s Cynthia Addai-Robinson Talks Palantíri, Sea Monsters, And Filming Underwater [Exclusive Interview]

As an ardent fan of this captivating series, I must say that Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s portrayal of Míriel has been nothing short of mesmerizing. Her bravery and resilience under pressure are truly inspiring, and her acceptance of the challenges that come her way is a testament to her strength and determination.

The second season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” has been quite eventful. Celebrimbor and Sauron are crafting the Rings of Power, while Dark Wizards and Tom Bombadil are stirring things up in Rhûn in the East. Meanwhile, the Elves are gearing up for war against the reincarnated Adar. On the island of Númenor, matters are far from smooth. Queen Regent Míriel (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) is confined in a tower, and her cousin Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) has taken over the throne.

In Season 2, Episode 6, Míriel steps in at a crucial moment to rescue Elendil (Lloyd Owen). She bravely confronts a sea monster that was about to devour him. Despite being blind, having been dethroned, and losing her father, she faces her fears and emerges victorious from the ordeal. This experience empowers her to regain control over her life’s direction.

Looper sat down with Addai-Robinson to talk about Episode 6. We covered everything from the Seeing Stones called the Palantiri (will we see more of them?) to what it was like to film the terrifyingly beautiful Sea Trial sequence. Here is our conversation in full. Enjoy!

An update on Míriel and seeing visions

In Season 1, Míriel asserted her identity and took charge following her father’s departure, only to subsequently lose her sight, her father, and her throne – events that transpired primarily off-screen. At this juncture in the narrative, could you provide us with a current overview of Miriel’s condition and wellbeing? How is she faring now?

Cynthia Addai-Robinson: To put it simply, she’s not at her best, and I believe her actions, decisions, and motivations are deeply rooted in what she sees in the Palantir during wartime. She is deeply concerned about her island, her people, not just from the impending threat, but also from the societal divisions that could ultimately trigger it.

If she foresees an unavoidable outcome, the question becomes whether it’s worth trying to change it, even if it seems impossible. At the end of the day, she’s uncertain if anything can alter the course, but she’s determined to give it a shot. Her blindness and other obstacles might slow her down, but they won’t stop her from moving forward with determination.

To be frank, I find myself in a precarious position as she’s got scant companionship at the helm. It’s a solitary existence at the pinnacle, and it’s evident that her bond with Pharazôn undergoes an immense transformation. Yet, what’s equally significant is the development of her reliance on Elendil, as he’s one of the rare individuals she can truly confide in. This trust has been earned through our mutual trials and tribulations, our collective heartaches.

Essentially, the story will explore how she continues to uphold her principles despite being pushed aside. What’s fascinating in Episode 5 is a dialogue between her and Elendil, where she queries if he witnessed the impending doom on Númenor when he tried to lift the Palantir. His response, that he didn’t see it, raises questions about whether events are unfolding as intended to prevent catastrophe. Perhaps Pharazôn’s rule is destined, a notion Elendil strongly opposes. This season, for me, delves into the struggle between unwavering belief and what our intuition and moral compass guide us towards.

Clarifying a coup and a queen in a tower

As a devoted fan, allow me to address that intriguing point: In episode 5, we observe her ascending the throne following the earlier uprising, accompanied by Pharazôn. However, like many significant events in our favorite series, much transpires off-screen. Could you kindly elaborate a bit? Specifically, after the eagle’s appearance and the drawing of the sword, what precisely occurred before he was crowned king on the spot?

Addai-Robinson explains that essentially, he exploits the situation. It’s a rather confusing scenario because when the eagle arrives, it might not be for him specifically, but both characters, Belgazar included, see an opportunity to shift things in Pharazôn’s favor. In other words, they capitalize on the moment. To put it simply, Míriel being exiled to the tower mirrors her father’s fate, the king. And in a sense, her father, who was also a contentious figure, resembles the madman confined in the tower at the end.

Currently, he was secluded and many people didn’t get a glimpse of his condition, but there’s a worry that Míriel might face a similar fate – being confined in a tower, madness gripping her due to the Palantir. However, this is not what will truly happen to her. For now, it seems like Míriel is taking a moment to contemplate her next move. Her options are indeed quite restricted at the moment.

Correct. In Episode 6, one such instance occurs. There, she demonstrates a regain of control as she takes action by participating in the Sea Monster test. How does the balance of power change before and after this event?

In essence, the dialogues between Míriel and Elendil depict their struggle between adhering to their beliefs, which might lead them down an unpleasant path they find unpalatable, and trusting their inner voice, what feels right, truthful, and just. This struggle is highlighted for both characters. For her, it represents a chance to assert control, avoiding the fate of being a secluded queen who disappears without a trace.

She recognizes that she can assume Elendil’s role within the system’s rules, but there’s a lingering uncertainty: What if things don’t go as planned? What if fate has something else in store – perhaps loss or peril? Can they endure it? Despite telling themselves that this is the inevitable course of events, they both question their resilience. Yet, they each hold onto their convictions and choose to trust the outcome, making their struggle incredibly poignant.

The role of the Palantíri in Númenor

I’d like to revisit the topic of the Palantir for a moment. You mentioned it earlier and it’s intriguing to explore the Seeing Stones from Míriel’s perspective, as they share strong ties with Elendil in the books. Interestingly, Elendil in the show is increasingly connected with Míriel. So, can you elaborate on how this trio of the Palantir, Elendil, and Míriel will influence the narrative further? Additionally, since there are seven of these stones in the books, and we’ve only seen one so far, can we expect to see more of the Palantiri in the storyline?

Addai-Robinson expresses his own curiosity about the topic as well. It’s certainly something the producers should address, but it seems intriguing to me that we don’t have the Rings in our world, yet the Palantir is another powerful symbol. Just like the Rings, the Palantir could serve as a tool for good, but it also has the potential to be misused and become an instrument of evil. This is because, much like the Rings, it can be manipulated and used with harmful intentions.

It’s intriguing and amusing that even as I watch the show alongside you, there are moments I wasn’t part of. One such instance is when Pharazôn makes a decision that’s quite fascinating – he decides to investigate the artifact despite publicly stating it was a relic to be discarded. Secretly, he can’t resist peeking into the ancient stone. The sight that greets him is intriguing indeed, and offers a hint of what lies ahead not only for Pharazôn but also for Númenor.

So I think it’s a great laying of the groundwork if you know the lore. If you know how Númenor connects to the rest of Middle-earth, and certainly the unleashing of Sauron, I thought, “Oh, that vision is quite interesting.” But in terms of how it also relates to Míriel and Elendil, their dynamic essentially, she is using all of her knowledge, the fact that she has been raised all her life to be the future queen and future leader, she’s able to extend everything that she knows and understands to Elendil. And obviously for what his role becomes in the lore, it’s a nice working backwards of, how did Elendil ultimately become the person he becomes?

That’s good.

As a gamer, I ponder over how they managed to craft such a profound bond between these characters in the series. It seems the creators skillfully designed their interaction, even incorporating Míriel’s blindness as a catalyst for growth. Elendil serves as her eyes in many ways, but it goes both ways – she guides him in observing and leading, while also empowering him. This intricate dance of reliance and guidance creates a captivating dynamic that transcends the typical leader-subject relationship, making their bond evolve and deepen throughout the story.

Right, right. That’s really good.

Addai-Robinson: That goes for Elendil as well, for what he ultimately becomes in the lore.

Yeah, that’s really good.

Filming underwater and the beauty of tenerife

“Could you tell us more about the experience of shooting that underwater scene featuring the monster?

Addai-Robinson: The scene was challenging, not because a real monster was present, but rather due to the unique circumstances involved in filming underwater scenes. This was my first time working in an underwater tank, and it requires a particular approach for logistical reasons. We had a specialized tank, located at Pinewood Studios in London, with a dedicated water safety team focused on both above-water and below-water filming in this controlled environment. As the actor, I needed to go through all the necessary preparations, including obtaining the required certifications, to ensure I was ready for the underwater work.

Initially, someone with no experience whatsoever using a respirator underwater found the concept of breathing underwater bizarre and unsettling, as my body instinctively rejected this unfamiliar act. Contrarily, there are individuals who enjoy scuba diving and feel at ease in water, taking it for granted. If you’ve never breathed underwater and find it daunting, then you can relate to the sense of panic I experienced each time I submerged myself. However, my intention was not to focus on Míriel’s fear but rather her courage and acceptance, regardless of what might happen to her.

As I plunged beneath the waves, my heart pounded wildly despite my attempts to conceal it. The thoughts of potential mishaps swirled through my mind, yet I remained undaunted. What truly touched me was the camaraderie and professionalism exhibited by the water safety team who had meticulously prepared me for this challenge. Their unwavering trust and collaboration were palpable, instilling in me a sense of calm.

The harmony between the tank setup and the surrounding tidal pool created a stunning effect, enhanced by the water doubling as well. In essence, everything blended so seamlessly that it was like watching magic on screen – a differentiation should not be noticeable to the audience. It’s impressive because I am aware of the behind-the-scenes efforts, so I appreciate the final outcome even more. Kudos go out to all departments involved, including visual effects, locations, and the team in Tenerife where we filmed. We had only three days for location filming, followed by three days separately for tank work. Interestingly, I shot in the tank first, a few months before we went to the location for filming the dramatic standoff and other scenes. Overall, it’s quite impressive how it all comes together in the final product.

What’s next for Míriel?

Since Pharazôn and Míriel have received conflicting indications of support, what happens next in Númenor that you’re permitted to discuss? Will we delve deeper into Míriel’s narrative in this season given the wealth of stories yet to be explored?

Addai-Robinson: Indeed, it’s intriguing as you note, there are numerous events that transpire off-screen within Númenor. Yet, Númenor is brimming with complexity and activity, a treasure trove of stories waiting to be told. Following the sea trial, one can easily infer that this must have been quite embarrassing for Pharazôn. This incident clashes starkly with his coronation and the symbolism of the eagle.

It seems unlikely that he will simply agree with that outcome and meekly disappear. He’s a person who won’t let obstacles stand in his way. Moreover, I believe the pivotal moment might be when he looks into the Palantir, and whatever he perceives during that instance could hold significant implications.

It’s clear that things aren’t wrapped up yet. There’s more unfolding, and these events in Númenor will continue to reveal the power dynamics at play. Once chaos is unleashed, it can be difficult to contain, and it seems that the people are still divided on these issues. Therefore, I believe that the sea trial isn’t the final say, unfortunately. I think we’ll see more manipulation, further sowing of chaos, and exploitation of these turbulent times by some individuals.

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2024-09-19 19:00