Since the series premiered on September 1, the build-up action has been superb! If you are a lover of all things J. R. R. Tolkien, then The Rings of Power is undoubtedly one to have you on the edge of your seat. The series takes fans thousands of years into the Second Age of Middle-earth, before the time of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Known for its fantasy characters, this new series has got it all—Dwarves, Harfoots, Magicians, Elves, and Humans.
The storylines quickly fall into place with the series just in its third episode. So far, the series has introduced characters that are known to fans and also new ones. However, no matter how familiar we have become with its fantasy characters, it’s interesting to see and know the faces behind some of its characters.
Morfydd Clark: Galadriel
credit: Prime Video
Galadriel is not a new name to fans of The Lord of the Rings, where she’s known as the leader of Lothlorien. However, with The Rings of Power series happening thousands of years before she becomes leader, fans get to see Galadriel as a warrior. The character is played by none other than Morfydd Clark. Although she might not be a famous face on TV for too many people, she has successfully embodied the Galadriel character in the series’ first three episodes.
She comes off as a defiant warrior leader who has vowed not to rest until all of Sauron and anything that remains of his is vanquished. We see Galadriel channeling her grief for the loss of her brother to a cause no one seems to take seriously. Morfydd Clark plays a character who not only has to keep fighting a force that seems to hide in the shadows but also continues to struggle with the frustration that none of her kind admits to its existence. Morfydd Clark’s Galadriel is one character to watch out for and root for!
Markella Kavenagh: Nori Brandyfoot
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If curiosity were a person (or her foot), Nori Brandyfoot would be it. As far as Nori Brandyfoot is concerned, the world or Middle-earth is too big to have to live hiding away from it. Markella Kavenagh brings Nori Brandyfoot’s character to life as one of those little halflings in the series. This was well before the time of the Hobbits and their Shire.
Her search for adventure would lead her to meet the man who seems to have fallen from the sky in episode two. But, if there’s one thing to take from this character, even if adventures don’t come her way, Nori Brandyfoot is one to find it, wherever it may be. We can only keep our fingers crossed about how her story unfolds.
Robert Aramayo: Elrond
credit: Prime Video
This wouldn’t be the first time we see Robert Aramayo in a fantasy television show. He played the character of a young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones. However, in this series, Elrond’s character seems good at creating quality friendships. Although Elrond would later become the leader of Rivendell, as the series unfolds, he’s seen as a devoted friend of Galadriel and one she confides in and listens to (if she isn’t conflicted within herself).
Episode two sees Elrond invoking the ancient Rite of Sign-tarâg after being refused entry into the cave of the dwarves. Elrond would challenge Durin IV in the stone-breaking Sign-tarâg, which he probably knew he couldn’t win. It shows how far Elrond can go to maintain a friendship.
Owain Arthur: Durin IV
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Owain Arthur plays the dwarf prince Durin IV. His character comes to life after Elrond invokes the Sign-tarâg. However, what’s most striking about his character is that although he seemed pissed and angry at Elrond, it was because he felt betrayed as a friend. Owain Arthur gives life to the character as a loving husband and friend. Since the dwarves are skilled in carving rocks, we can anticipate an open alliance between the elves and the dwarves as the story continues.
Ismael Cruz Córdova: Arondir
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While fans wait to get a laugh from Arondir, Ismael Cruz Córdova plays the character with so much poise; he’s hard to miss. As a silvan elf soldier who has lived for many centuries, he was stationed in the Southland to keep an eye on the humans. These humans were an ally to the evil lord Sauron hundreds of years ago. However, during his time on the watch, Arondir befriends a human female, Bronwyn, but has been unable to confess his love for her openly. When his watch is over, and he hopes to return home, the emergence of an Orc would see his character stay much longer in the Southland.
Can we expect a forbidden relationship between Arondir and Bronwyn? Only time will tell.