Genre: Action; Adventure; Drama; Fantasy
Based on The Lord of the Rings and appendices
by J. R. R. Tolkien
Developed by J. D. Payne, Patrick McKay
Showrunners: J. D. Payne, Patrick McKay
Starring:
Theme Song Composer: Howard Shore
Composer: Bear McCreary
Executive producers: J. D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, Justin Doble, Gennifer Hutchison, Jason Cahill, J. A. Bayona, Belén Atienza, Eugene Kelly, Bruce Richmond, Sharon Tal Yguado
Producers: Ron Ames; Chris Newman
Production Location: New Zealand (season 1)
Production companies: Amazon Studios; New Line Cinema
Distributor: Amazon Prime Video
Plot: Set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, this epic drama follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth.
Season 1 of Rings of power was alright.
Pros: I glad this is my first time watching anything related to Lord of the rings. The performances were hit & miss in my opinion. The show from visuals, Lighting and spectacle looks amazing on screen. It works with in a visual storytelling sense. I’m surprised I manage to watch this in just four days and it’s finale did leave me some hope for a continuation.
Cons: It does get tough keeping up with each of the storylines at times. Each episode was way too long and drag out. I didn’t like the villain Adar & By the finale I kind of forgotten about the full season.
Casts & Characters:
In order of announcement
- Markella Kavenagh, as Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot, a Harfoot hobbit.
- Maxim Baldry, as Isildur.
- Joseph Mawle as Adar, the first season’s main antagonist; one of the first Elves to be tortured and corrupted into Orcs by Morgoth. The casting description read “A villain who can also evoke a deep sense of pathos and wounded / fallen nobility. Must possess a certain degree of physicality. Should seem middle-aged, though must also project a sense of timelessness.”
- Ema Horvath as Eärien, an original character and daughter of Elendil. She is described as a “pragmatic, clever young woman. She is studious and ambitious. She can be serious but has a quick wit” but also “deeply politically minded, which presents a particular challenge when the political leanings within her own family become increasingly divided…” This political divide had since been clarified as a romantic attachment to Kemen, Pharazôn’s son.
- Morfydd Clark, as young Galadriel. The role has been described as a “more rebellious” Galadriel, who is “commander of the Northern Armies” of Lindon; and as “younger, as angry and brash as she is clever, and certain that evil is looming closer than anyone realizes.”
- Robert Aramayo, as Elrond. The role was codenamed as “Beldor”; said to be “an optimistic, intelligent, and political savvy protagonist who is nonetheless more reserved than his on-screen counterparts.” Beldor was believed to be Elrond for some time based on Aramayo’s resemblance to Hugo Weaving. He is described as a “canny young elven architect and politician.” He goes to mend “the relationship between his people and the dwarves of Khazad-dûm.” Said to be “just beginning to build his reputation”, Elrond “will rise to prominence in the mystical capital of Lindon” and is seen reunited there with Galadriel.
- Owain Arthur, as Prince Durin IV. A character description indicates he “will range in dramatic pairings as a best friend, a son, a husband and a father.”
- Nazanin Boniadi, as Bronwyn, a village healer from the “Southlands of Middle-earth” and mother of Theo, and is said to be “torn between her son and her own people”, which the audition tape suggest are Middle-earth natives, “and the man with whom she is secretly in love an outsider to the village”, which is confirmed to be the character Arondir.
- Ismael Cruz Córdova, as Arondir, a Silvan Elf.[9] The role was described as “equal parts soldier and lover; a ruggedly-handsome, brooding, Byronic hero.” In an interview, Cordova compared the significance of his role in the show to that of a major role like John Boyega’s in the recent Star Wars films. Arondir was previously codenamed “Calenon” and “Everard.”
- Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo, the young son of Bronwyn. An apparent character description indicates him to be “a sweet, honorable kid who feels responsible for his mother. Curious about the world and frustrated by his small-town life.” The description goes on to say he can be suspicious of other peoples’ intentions with his mother.
- Sophia Nomvete, as Princess Disa, a Dwarf and mate of Durin IV. The role is said to be a “warm and maternal female actor” aged “35-45” for a “comedic/dramatic role” with “singing ability”.
- Megan Richards, as Poppy Proudfellow, a Harfoot.
- Dylan Smith as Largo Brandyfoot, a Harfoot.
- Charlie Vickers as Sauron in the guise of “Halbrand“, cast as a “dramatic leading role with comedic elements.”
- Daniel Weyman, as “The Stranger.” Previously known under the codename “Daric”, who “vacillates between stubborn gravitas and a sense of sweetness and innocence.” He is said to be a “being” of “the same class” as the wizards Gandalf and Saruman.
- Simon Merrells, as Revion, a Silvan Elf.
- Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Míriel. Coded as “Asta”, it is a role for a “diverse woman” playing a “high-ranking lady” who is “mighty but reserved, also shows grace & humor.”
- Ian Blackburn as Rowan, a Man of the Southlands.
- Kip Chapman as Rían, an Elf of Lindon.
- Anthony Crum as Ontamo, a friend of Isildur.
- Maxine Cunliffe as Vilma, a Harfoot.
- Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn.
- Sir Lenworth “Lenny” Henry as Sadoc Burrows, an elder of the Harfoots. He shares a resemblance (and is of a similar age to) Brian A. Wilson, who auditioned for “Hamsom”, said to be “warm, charming, weathered” and “kind” with “sad eyes. He’s quietly suffering from an ailment he has to hide from his physically demanding traveling community. He puts on a brave face in public and keeps his physical suffering to himself. He does this with charm and a twinkle, concealing his sadness that his family has to cover for him. He loves his family and his strong, practical wife.” The wife in question is evidentially the role of “Cora.”
- Thusitha Jayasundera as Malva Meadowgrass, a Harfoot.
- Fabian McCallum as Thondir, an Elf of Lindon.
- Geoff Morrell as Waldreg, a man from the Southlands of Middle-earth.
- Peter Mullan as Durin III. Mullan was previously considered for the role of Balin in The Hobbit.
- Lloyd Owen as Elendil. Cast under the codename of “Loda”, he is said to be “earthy, deep, solid. Doesn’t give his feelings away easily. Physically strong & fit” and “in his late 40s/50s.”
- Augustus Prew as Médhor, a Silvan Elf.
- Peter Tait as Tredwill, a Man of the Southlands.
- Alex Tarrant as Valandil, a friend of Isildur.
- Leon Wadham as Kemen, the son of Pharazôn.
- Benjamin Walker as Gil-galad, perhaps the character codenamed “Galanion”, a “character portrayed is in their late 40s early 50s. A man of elegance and great gravitas. A leader of his people, wise and pragmatic to a fault. He isn’t afraid to manipulate for the greater good.”
- Sara Zwangobani as Marigold Brandyfoot, a Harfoot.
- Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor.
- Will Fletcher as Finrod.
- Amelie Child Villiers as a young Galadriel.
- Beau Cassidy as Dilly Brandyfoot, Elanor Brandyfoot‘s younger sister.
I still recommend watching this series on Amazon Prime Video to those who are a fan of Lord of the ring.
Rating: 5 out of 10 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident TV reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe