The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Courtesy of Amazon Prime Video

Amazon’s long-awaited “The Lord of the Rings” TV series “The Rings of Power” makes its epic debut with a two-episode launch on Sept. 2, the Friday before Labor Day weekend. A big-budget drama that has been years in the making, the story centers on the Second Age of author J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, a time not yet explored on screen and thus likely not familiar to the casual “Lord of the Rings” fan — and certainly not to those entirely new to this world of elves, ents, dwarves, harfoots, orcs and humans, just to name a few.

With that in mind, Variety interviewed 19 out of the 23 series regulars that star on “The Rings of Power” in order to give readers a primer on both the actors themselves, as well as the characters they will be playing on the series from showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay.

Of course, in keeping with the spirit of Tolkien, we asked more than one whimsical question along the way.

Morfydd Clark Galadriel Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Saint Maud,” “The Personal History of David Copperfield,” “Love & Friendship”

Character race: Elf

How would you describe your character to your friends?

My friends are all massive “Lord of the Rings” fans, and I have to tell you, they describe her to me a lot. They’re asking all the questions that all the fans are. I would describe her as older than the moon. She’s a living myth. A living legend.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

My dad started reading “The Hobbit” to me, and then I finished it, which I was incredibly proud of, for me to finish what seemed like a very big book when I was nine. And then the films started being advertised, and my mum was just such a fan of the books. So she went just nuts and was so excited to take us to it. I didn’t understand really what it was going to be like and just completely fell in love with Middle-earth. So I started off young.

Who was one of your favorite characters?

I love Faramir, Boromir’s brother. And I love both depictions of him, because in the films, he’s quite different to how he is in the books. But he’s just really admirable. He’s so kind to the hobbits, and doesn’t treat them as lesser. And he’s incredibly brave. So I’m a big, big Faramir fan. But also the elves are so magical. So to play an elf, I can’t believe it.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

I love the ents. One of the main characters in Middle-earth is nature, and the ents are the representation of that. And also, the ents storming Isengard is one of my favorite moments in the whole of “Lord of the Rings.” And I think the entwives are really cool that they left.

Robert Aramayo Elrond Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Game of Thrones,” “Behind Her Eyes,” “Mindhunter”

Character race: Half-elf, half-human

How would you describe your character to your friends?

He’s our youngest elf. If we were his age, we’d be dust and bone, but in elven years, he’s young. He’s trying so hard to be an elf, and to embody what that means. He’s not yet reconciled with his past. He’s got a complicated relationship with his dad, with what he achieved. His dad saved the world, his mum saved the world, his brother created Númenor. It’s a lot of pressure on young Elrond.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle Earth?

I’d seen the movies when I was a kid, and the first book I ever read was “The Hobbit,” when I was very, very young. I loved it. And then I tried to read “The Lord of the Rings,” but I was probably a bit too young. I was completely obsessed with the movies. I used to play “Lord of the Rings” on the playground with my friends. Then as soon as I got the job [on “The Rings of Power”], I delved into all the First Age stuff, which is what I’m most passionate about as a Tolkien fan.

What character would you play on the playground?

I think I would play Aragon, but — and I’m not just saying this — I was always very fascinated by Elrond. He’s such an interesting character. When they told me I was him, it was just like a dream come true. Truly a dream come true.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

That’s tricky. I think I’m happy where I am. I’m playing in a separate one on that list, a half-elf, so there’s an interesting blend of both things there. But then the ents are fascinating, aren’t they? Their whole story, where they came from, the inception of them is a really interesting part of the legendarium. I’m happy as a half-elf, but if you push me, maybe an ent.

Ismael Cruz Cordova Arondir Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “The Undoing,” “Ray Donovan,” “Sesame Street”

Character race: Elf

What was your first experience with Tolkien?

My introduction was the movies. I grew up in a house that had not a single book but the Bible. So I saved all my money, and when it came out in the movies couldn’t really go, so maybe a year after they had premiered, I bought the DVD and a DVD player.

Since your character was created for the show, what was it like getting to flesh out someone new in this complex mythology? 

I found it freeing, and quite liberating. It made it feel more like it was an indie film, in a certain way, because I had a voice. I had a voice that I never thought I was going to have doing “Lord of the Rings.”

There’s been a lot of talk about a rivalry between “Lord of the Rings” and “House of the Dragon,” so if J.R.R. Tolkien were to fight George R.R. Martin, who would win? 

I don’t feel good about this question. I need job security. Yeah, I’m really struggling with this right now. Tolkien!

Charles Edwards Celebrimbor Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “The Crown,” “The Terror,” “Downton Abbey”

Character race: Elf

How would you describe your character to your friends?

He’s a Lord of Eregion. He is also the most famed jewelsmith of his time. His grandfather was Fëanor, who was also a famous jewelsmith, but he was not a good guy. His father is Curufin, also not a good guy. The only thing that Tolkien gives us as far as how Celebrimbor turned out, at least with regards to his father — he said, “He was of a wholly different temper to his father.” That’s all we get. I’ll also say that we discover him whilst he’s pursuing with great frenzy this project of his to build a wonderful tower, and forge in the center of Eregion on to draw wonderful creative talents from all races in an attempt to recreate a Valinor in Middle-earth. I also found him when I read the script at a point of uncertainty about his own abilities, about his own validity. That indecision is possibly what might make him vulnerable, ultimately, to predators.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

It was when I was nine years old, the animated 1978 Ralph Bakshi film version, which covered “The Fellowship of the Ring” and “The Two Towers.” I was obsessed with that film. I had the soundtrack LP, which I absolutely revered. You could open it up and there were pictures inside of the characters. I wrote a play of “The Lord of the Rings” for me to perform — not solo — at school.

Who were you going to perform in your play?

I was going to play Sam. And I might have enlarged his role a little. Having watched the animated movie, I thought his was the best part.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

Oh, ents are fun. A little uncomfortable, though — a bit creaky. Do you know what, I’m always happy with being an elf. I mean, there’s the immortality thing, which is kind of a bonus — if your memory could self-erase every, I don’t know, 500 years or something. That might be bearable. Or maybe for a human lifespan. Maybe it’d be quite cool to self-erase every 90 years. Just keep on going. Move around the place: new life, new friends.

Benjamin Walker Gil-galad Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “The Underground Railroad,” “Jessica Jones,” “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”

Character race: Elf

What was your first experience with Tolkien?

The books. I have an older brother who’s infinitely more intelligent than I’ll ever be, and he was an avid reader when I was a boy. I wanted to be like him, and I asked him to give me a book — and kind of the first big-boy book I was ever given was “The Hobbit.”

Since your character already existed in the Tolkien mythology, how useful was it to have all that backstory to draw from? 

It’s only a good thing. I like reading his material, and I’ve found a job where they pay me to do it. It’s pretty great.

Did you struggle with any of that backstory? 

With “The Silmarillion,” I was struggling with it. It’s so dense. But I found a piece of fan art this guy had made, of his own volition — a graphic novel of the book, and I used it as like Cliff Notes. It was actually kind of cool to be connected with the fandom in that way.

Owain Arthur Durin-IV Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “The One and Only Ivan,” “A Confession,” “Casualty”

Character race: Dwarf

How would you describe your character to your friends?

He is a fiery man. I’d like to say he’s fun. I’d definitely want to go for a pint with him. He’s one of the guys who would crack jokes in the pub. But at the same time after he’s passed a certain amount of alcohol, I’m sure he would turn into a different kind of person. He might become a liability, and that kind of short-tempered man who won’t take any rubbish off anyone.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

It was the movies. I’d heard of the books, beforehand: But the movies was the real introduction. Having worked on the first season, and dived into the books to do as much research as possible on dwarves —I’ve watched them since, and you pick up and you fill in so much more as a viewer having more knowledge.  I revisited a chapter in “The Silmarillion,” and it’s fascinating to see the layers that are there.

Who was your favorite character?

I’d say Gandalf — I don’t know if it’s because I have so much respect for Ian McKellen as an actor. I’ve seen him on so many shows in the West End, and I’m just in awe of that man’s ability and talent. So that might have something to do with it. I don’t know, but the wisdom behind Gandalf’s eyes definitely appealed to me.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

My loyalty lies with the dwarves. Having lived as a dwarf for so long, I can’t really be anybody else. Having said that, I would be keen to be an elf, but not forever. I’d want a taste of what being an elf is like, having the eyesight, hearing and that telepathic feeling. So, my answer to that is I’d want to be an elf for a month.

Sophia Nomvete Disa Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Swashbuckle,” European premiere of “The Color Purple” on stage

Character race: Dwarf

How would you describe your character to your friends?

She is a mother. She is wife to Prince Durin IV. She uses her voice to literally move mountains, communicate with the earth around her, and to understand her kingdom and the elements. She’s a formidable ball of fun, I think.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

I actually skimmed the movies, that’s how I’m gonna put it. My flatmate many moons ago at uni is a huge fan of “Lord of the Rings,” so every Sunday, we would get a pretty greasy pizza we would watch the movies. But I have to admit, I wasn’t paying as much attention as what I would have done had I known I would have been the first featured female dwarf in the world of Tolkien ever. So I feel like it was kind of a seed planted way back when, which has come to fruition and bloomed at this moment.

What did you know about Middle-earth going into this show?

I knew that it was vast, but I didn’t know how vast. I knew that there were different races, but I didn’t know the intricacies of their dynamics, their geographical distance and what that means, then, in terms of interaction. I kind of had this overview of Middle-earth and the world of Tolkien, and now I know it as much as I know our world. I’ve learned mostly how Middle-earth really functions — apart, and when it comes together.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

Dwarf. I’m quite an emotional, passionate person, and the thing about dwarves is that they they feel everything. If they’re frustrated, it’s a complete shutdown. If they love, they love passionately and gregariously. They’re such freeing and liberating characters.

Markella Kavenagh Elanor Nori Brandyfoot Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Romper Stomper,” “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” “The Cry,” “My First Summer”

Character race: Harfoot

How would you describe your character to your friends?

I play Nori Brandyfoot, and she is a very resolute, very curious, inquisitive Harfoot who is just balancing a dedication to family with a real interest in adventure. She is currently grappling with that inner conflict, and wants the two worlds to just coexist: She wants to help them find a home, and she believes that you need to step outside of your comfort zone to do that. And she’s met with resistance a lot of the time, but she gets through it. She leads with a lot of love, even though she’s very irritating at times — she shows the best of intentions.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle Earth?

I started with the books. They were very, very big in my childhood, a family favorite. So I read them and started there, and then came to the films and watched the films and loved the films.

Who is one of your favorite characters from that story? Why?

Tom Bombadil, for sure.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

I actually think I’d want to be a Númenorean. But ents would be amazing as well. A wizard would be really good, too.

Megan Richards Poppy Proudfellow Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Wanderlust,” “Doctors,” “Pan Tau”

Character race: Harfoot

How would you describe your character to your friends?

I play Poppy Proudfelow. She is a very cautious and observant harfoot. The harfoot community has a very specific set of rules in order to ensure everyone’s safety and survival, and those really resonate with Poppy, which makes her dynamic with her best friend, Nori, interesting. She’s very strong-minded and strong-willed. She doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to do, so she’s not just following Nori along. They are the yin to each other’s yang, which has been really exciting to explore.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle Earth?

I didn’t have Tolkien in my life before I got this job. So once I got this job, one of the cinemas in New Zealand was doing a movie marathon of all the movies’ extended versions on the same day. So that’s where I watched the movies, and was introduced to this world — which was an incredible information overload. I was just in awe of the cinematic experience.

Who is one of your favorite characters from that story? Why?

Treebeard for me. I just love him. I think he’s great. I really love nature and so a talking tree, that was kind of it for me.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

An ent.

Sara Zwangobani Marigold Brandyfoot Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Disgrace,” “Merchant of Fairness,” “Doctor Doctor,” “Home and Away,” “The Starter Wife”

Character race: Harfoot

How would you describe your character to your friends?

My character is Marigold Brandyfoot. She is the matriarch of the harfoot tribe. She is a mother, probably first and foremost. She is a parent to Nori and Dilly, a surrogate mum to the wonderful Poppy and wife to the incredible Largo, played by Dylan Smith. She’s finding a bit of a struggle in her inquisitive daughter Nori, who has sort of differing ideas about how the harfoots should continue living.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle Earth?

I started with the books. I read “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” when I was young and fell in love with Tolkien’s worlds, and particularly his language. And then that became a love of fantasy that still exists to this day. And then I saw the films and thought they were immense and epic and all the things.

Who is one of your favorite characters from that story? Why?

From the films, I really loved Legolas. I really connected to his grace. I did dance when I was younger, and I wasn’t able to continue for various reasons, and I just remember his grace really struck me. But in the books, I also really liked Tom Bombadil, because I read it quite young and there wasn’t the internet to go into theories, and I just always wanted to know how come he was so cheeky and he could do that stuff with the ring.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

I’d want to be a harfoot, first. If it was something other than a harfoot, an ent. But harfoot first.

Cynthia Addai Robinson Miriel Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Power,” “Shooter,” “Arrow,” “Spartacus”

Character race: Human, from Númenor

So how would you describe your character to your friends?

I describe her as a queen, a leader, who very much cares about the implications of any decision that she makes on behalf of her people. There is that awareness that any choice that is made, obviously, it would be larger than just affecting her, or even the people who are currently there. It could have far reaching implications for society at large into the future. It is that standard, “heavy is the head that weighs the crown” — there’s that sense of responsibility, a genuine desire to do what is, quote unquote, right, without necessarily knowing what that means.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

My introduction would have been the Peter Jackson films. I can’t even remember the first time I ever would have heard of “The Hobbit,” or just the books in general. There’s that sort of knowledge that they exist. But no one necessarily encouraged me to visit that literature. Maybe there wasn’t something there that necessarily felt like it was for me. So it’s interesting to be an adult, and now have a chance to be immersed in this material, because there are so many people, amongst both my castmates and also just in my personal life — my husband, friends — who talk about how this is material that they were introduced to when they were younger, and the meaning it carried for them at that stage of their life.

When you saw the Peter Jackson movies, was there a character who really jumped out to you as a favorite?

The Frodo journey is what felt like my point of access. There’s obviously something very relatable about seeing the little guy triumph and overcome all of these obstacles, and do so in a way that really hammers home the point about fellowship and that you’re not doing it alone. With the series, we’re in the Second Age, and so we are telling the story of the events prior to what most people are familiar with the films. But this theme of fellowship is the one that I personally latch on to the most — for the purposes of our storytelling, but also for this particular group of people who are responsible for creating this adaptation. To work this intensely on a series with a group of people — the length of time, the heightened storytelling, the heightened set of circumstances — it’s brought us very close, and I think it very much informs what you’re seeing on the screen.

If you had a ring of power in real life, how would you use it?

I would probably use it for one of two things. Instant transportation — like, I can just beam myself somewhere; or instant food appearance — like, if I was hungry, the meal would just appear instantaneously.

Who within Middle-earth would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot or an ent?

I’m going to go with none of the above and say a Númenorian, because Númenorians are essentially human, but because of our Elven roots, we live to a couple hundred years. You know, Númenorians are meant to be taller, fitter, stronger. So I’m quite happy in my world. I’m a little biased. I’m going to stick with my Númenorian self.

Lloyd Owen Elendil Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Miss Potter,” “Thugs of Hindostan,” “Apollo 18”

Character race: Human, from Númenor

How would you describe your character to your friends?

Elendil is a hero archetype. Like all heroes, he’s a reluctant hero, and it’s a journey and struggle between his head and heart while trying to navigate his way through politics and keeping his family safe and stable.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

Reading “The Hobbit” as an 11-year-old in a beautiful paperback that had Tolkien’s drawing of Smaug. I still remember it. I repeated the feat with my son when he was about 11. We read it at bedtime for a good month.

If you had a ring of power in real life, how would you use it?

I’d like to go to the past and choose which historical characters to sit and have a chat with.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

I’d quite fancy being a dwarf, because it’s heart-on-the-sleeve. You’re allowed to be furious, jealous, sad, angry, in love, all of it: Right on the sleeve.

Maxim Baldry Isildur Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Mr. Bean’s Holiday,” “Doctor Who,” “Last Christmas”

Character race: Human, from Númenor

How would you describe your character to your friends?

I would describe him as a little bit of a rebel without a cause. Someone who wants something new. He wants to be stimulated and inspired, and there’s a lack of inspiration where I am.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

I first watched the movies. That led to my imagination being unlocked, and running around the garden pretending to be Boromir. I’d get my mom and dad to watch. All my friends were over, it was chaos. Then we’d all play “The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth” on PC.

If you had a ring of power in real life, how would you use it?

I’d love to time travel and maintain a perfect temperature — 22 degrees Celsius. No sweating or being too cold. I want to wear a T-shirt at all times, no jumper.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

Dwarf. A lot of banter at the dinner table, and I like that they eat and drink.

Nazanin Boniadi Bronwyn Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Homeland,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Scandal”

Character race: Human

What was your first experience with Tolkien? 

My first exposure to Tolkien was the films 20 years ago. I can’t believe it was that long ago! But I was a huge fan, and they transformed cinema in many ways and hold up today.

The production design of the show is so richly detailed. Did that positively affect your performance? 

Many of us here have been on big sets, and we’ve worked on big productions. Never before have I experienced anything to this degree of detail. The number of crew I think was unprecedented. I think it was like 2500 total. So it’s unprecedented in many ways. And the attention to detail — the artistry in every department — was impeccable.

There’s been a lot of talk about a rivalry between “Lord of the Rings” and “House of the Dragon,” so if J.R.R. Tolkien were to fight George R.R. Martin, who would win?

I just think they’d find a way to intellectualize it, and then they’d be like, “What are we doing, man?”

Tyroe Muhafidin Theo Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Caravan”

Character race: Human

What was your first experience with Tolkien?

The [film] trilogy is actually older than I am, so growing up I didn’t really get into it that much. But once I got the role, I did a deep dive. I watched the trilogy, I read “The Hobbit,” and I went on YouTube and searched a bunch of videos like “‘Lord of the Rings’ for Dummies.”

What exactly did you learn from “‘Lord of the Rings’ for Dummies?”

They give you like a plot summary of just what Middle-earth is. And then basically the story of Frodo and Samwise Gamgee.

There’s been a lot of talk about a rivalry between “Lord of the Rings” and “House of the Dragon,” so if J.R.R. Tolkien were to fight George R.R. Martin, who would win?

I gotta stick with my boy Tolkien. Yeah, 100% I’m in his corner.

Charlie Vickers Halbrand Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Palm Beach,” “Medici: Masters of Florence”

Character race: Human

How would you describe your character to your friends?

When we meet Halbrand at the start of his story, he’s a man at a crossroads in his life, in that he’s come from a place of pain. He’s from the Southlands, and his people are being punished for fighting on the wrong side of the war at the end of the First Age. So he’s leaving his past behind him, making an attempt to start a new life. Inadvertently, it leads him to meet Galadriel. They develop a really interesting dynamic between them over the course of the season.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

Funnily enough, I actually don’t really have a memory of going to the cinema to see the films as a kid. But I definitely watched them all, and I remember thinking, “Oh, that’s the coolest world.” I remember loving watching Aragorn and Legolas and Gimli just running for what seems like so long. But my real immersion into it was I would spend hours playing the video games on PlayStation.

Who was one of your favorite characters — was there someone you played a lot?

I’d play as Aragorn a lot. I have a younger brother, and I think he probably wanted to play as Aragorn as well, but he certainly was not allowed if I was playing.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

I love the elves. I think there’s something really cool about the question of immortality. When it’s just you, you’d experience so much death. The thing about the elves is they would live forever with their friends and family, and then eventual return to Valinor.

Ema Horvath Earien Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Like.Share.Follow,” “The Gallows 2,” “The Mortuary Collection”

Character race: Human, from Númenor

How would you describe your character to your friends?

To my friends I’d say, “Do you remember that naughty guy [Isildur] who didn’t throw the ring into the fire? I’m his little sister.”

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

I wasn’t allowed to watch the movies, but all the kids in my neighborhood were, so they told me what happened in all of them. I grew up next to an arboretum, and we’d go into the forest and play elves and dwarves. My mother still calls it “King of Rings.”

If you had a ring of power in real life, how would you use it?

I’d use it as a truth serum. Pop it on my finger, and ask people their honest feelings.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

Dwarf. I’ve got miners on both sides of my family. The way they use humor to deal with pain is very relatable.

Trystan Gravelle Pharazon Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “A Discovery of Witches,” “The Terror,” “Mr. Selfridge”

Character race: Human, from Númenor

How would you describe your character to your friends?

Pharazôn is the Chancellor of Númenor. He is the cousin to Míriel, who is the Queen Regent, who’s ruling in the stead of her sick father, Tar-Palantir. I guess he’s the glue that binds the fabric of Númenor together. He has a deep love for his people, a deep love for his family. Being a very innovative individual, I think we’re going to see him try to turbocharge Númenor — its economy and its reputation.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

My introduction was in 2001, when I went to the cinema and saw “The Fellowship of the Ring.” I then went home and there was an old copy of “The Hobbit” laying around, so I read that and then waited for the other two films to come out, then read the “Lord of the Rings” books. So I’ve been a fan for over 20 years now.

Who was one of your favorite characters?

You couldn’t get past Aragorn, to be quite honest. He just had a coolness and an ease about him. I thought, “Well, I’d like to be him. I’ll just wait for ‘The Hobbit’ films to come around. Maybe I could play Bard who shoots the dragon.” Then that went to the wonderful Luke Evans. With each passing film, my hope was dwindling more and more — and then this [show] came along. So that was my chance!

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

There’s something quite tranquil, isn’t there, about being an ent. Very still. Rooted to the earth. Yeah, I’m going to go with ent.

Leon Wadham Kemen Rings of Power

Photo : Amazon Prime Video

Past work: “Go Girl,” “Power Rangers Beast Morphers,” “Roman Empire”

Character race: Human, from Númenor

How would you describe your character to your friends?

He’s a son of a powerful politician, and keen to follow in his footsteps. But he doesn’t have a lot of real-world experience. He’s more passion, less experience — and has been getting by largely by charm alone.

How did you first experience Tolkien’s Middle-earth?

My mom was a huge fan of the books, so they were in the house for as long as I can remember. I also grew up in Wellington, so when I was in primary school, Peter Jackson was making his “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Everyone knew somebody who was working on it. Middle-earth was inescapable. When I was in drama school in Wellington, they started making “The Hobbit” trilogy. I was older, so you’d run into people working on those movies out and about in the city. I remember vividly Martin Freeman suddenly being at a party at my flat, and seeing him across the room and then he was gone.

If you had a ring of power in real life, how would you use it?

I’d like the power of flight, just for convenience. It’d be nice to zip around, not have to worry about public transport or fueling a car.

Who would you most want to be and why: an elf, a human, a dwarf, a harfoot, or an ent?

I’m really happy in Númenor and I would love to keep hanging out on the beach eating seafood. But of those options, dwarf.