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Charles Edwards (\u201cThe Crown,\u201d \u201cThe Duke\u201d), who stars as Celebrimbor, traces the beginning of his character\u2019s dark journey to a chance meeting with Halbrand in season one.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a brief scene in the Forge,\u201d he said. \u201cI think the spell was cast when they have a brief discussion about the Mirthril and he suggests using it a certain way to make it last longer. I think that\u2019s when Sauron ensnares him.\u201d<\/p>\n
As season two opens, Celebrimbor is in Eregion is feeling cut off, isolated and perhaps a little unappreciated, not knowing if the rings worked. Cue Halbrand, who turns up to meet with him, but is refused a meeting. But Halbrand doesn\u2019t leave. He stays, insisting on a meeting, sitting out in the rain until somehow his persistence appeals to Celebrimbor who comes out to shoo him away. Instead, he\u2019s intrigued.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s feeling out of the loop and starting to feel like \u2018Come on, I can do what I want to in my place\u2019,\u201d he said. \u201cSo when (Halbrand\/Sauron) turns up, there\u2019s something in him that wants to see him, even though he\u2019s been told not to. Suddenly, he wants to, like a little boy, misbehave. And there\u2019s something about Hallbrand that Celebrimbor finds . . . cool.\u201d<\/p>\n
Charlie Vickers, who plays Halbrand-turned-Sauron, likens the visit to a divine appointment. Sauron appears as a Maiar in order to overwhelm and entice Celebrimbor to do his bidding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf someone steps out of the flames and presents himself in that way, you\u2019re going to go with them,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s like being visited by God. So that worry that you may have about \u2018Why is Celebrimbor so stupid to buy twice?\u2019 It\u2019s totally erased. Everything is intentional. Everything has to be intentional from Sauron\u2019s perspective. It can\u2019t just be evil for the sake of being evil.\u201d<\/p>\n
The entire sequence is a common theme in stories. Darkness often hides itself in the light.<\/p>\n
In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, the Apostle Paul warned against deception in all forms and even says that Satan will present himself as an \u201cangel of light\u201d when discussing false prophets who lead followers to their destruction.<\/p>\n
\u201cSatan himself masquerades as an angel of light.\u00a0It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As the descent into corruption continues, Edwards and Vickers are intrinsically woven together in season two. The actors said their chemistry happened mostly because of the proximity of filming for so long together.<\/p>\n
Unlike most series, Edwards pointed out their story was shot in chronological order, deepening the intrigue and revealing mystery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a very focused two months in the Forge,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we both were so excited to do the story and be involved in this story, because it’s the story that people were dying to see done, because it’s never been done before. And it\u2019s one that we both cared very much about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vickers said he initially questioned the intrigue of the two actors dialoguing most the time, especially while other characters are shooting arrows, wielding swords and fighting on the frontlines for the sake of Middle Earth. In the middle of war, however, it really comes down to two men and one of them fighting for his soul.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were in the same room for the whole season,\u201d Vickers said. \u201cWe always chatted about how this going to be very boring because it\u2019s just two just chatting for most of the show. But it\u2019s really exciting to watch. It\u2019s still high fantasy. You get this microcosm of this world, which is like a psychological thriller.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Celebrimbor and Sauron\u2019s journeys will continue to expand and evolve, Halbrand\u2019s change to Sauron is the most pronounced. Alternating between two sides of the same person, the actor worked with a dialect coach and focused on similarities and differences between them. The transformation into the epic villain of the entire \u201cThe Lord of the Rings\u201d series, keeping audiences guessing as to who it was going to be was a critical point in the \u201cRings of Power.\u201d Once revealed, it was a big relief for Vickers, who had been keeping it a big secret for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’ve had so much in my head for five years about Sauron, going through letters and going through everything, everything I possibly could to learn about his character and what Tolkien intended for him to be,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd it’s all been in here (points to his head). So now to finally be able to actually talk about it to people, just nonstop, it’s a really nice feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power\u201d is currently airing on Prime Video.<\/a><\/p>\n