It’s undeniable — Morfydd Clark and Charlie Vickers have struck chemistry gold on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Even separately, Clark and Vickers deliver nuanced, visceral, powerhouse performances as Galadriel and Sauron, respectively. Season 2 takes both characters on a wild ride, culminating in a tense, high-wire confrontation in the finale.
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting with Clark and Vickers about key scenes in Season 2, along with what they hope to explore in future seasons.
RELATED: The Rings of Power: Charlie Vickers on Sauron’s Motivations in Action-Packed Season Finale
This interview is condensed for length and clarity.
“You and I Are Not Alike. We Never Were.”
Melody McCune: Thank you so much for chatting with me! My first question is for Morfydd. In the finale, Galadriel tells Sauron, “You and I are not alike. We never were.” Do you feel she was being honest with herself at that moment? What was she thinking during that big confrontation where Sauron tried to tempt her?
Morfydd Clark: I think she was being honest because even though they were united in a certain way, their reasons for being united were so vastly different. I think she’s repulsed by him and his hollowness and by the fact that she couldn’t see that as Halbrand.
Particularly, when he turns into Halbrand, that is just a mirror to her of her big folly, really. She’s also grieving because he’s caused so much destruction. That grief she feels ends up being the thing that galvanizes her to say “no” because grief is loving.
Morgoth’s Greatest Servants
MM: For Charlie, taking it back to episode one, we see Sauron cry while Adar recounted their first meeting — when Sauron gave him wine. Was that scripted, and what was going through Sauron’s mind?
Charlie Vickers: It definitely wasn’t scripted, but Sam [Hazeldine] and I explored a lot of their shared history and how they’ve known each other for many thousands of years. They were two of Morgoth’s greatest servants in this story at least. And he’s talking about a really profound memory for both of them. It’s cool because there are so many different layers to it. I think Adar knows Halbrand is Sauron.
I think Adar knows he can’t kill him; he’s tried before, so he may as well let him go. There’s this whole thing between them that is much further beneath the surface than what we’re seeing. That was something we worked on.
Part of it was I loved listening to that story. It’s so beautifully written, and Sam performed it so beautifully. “I saw his face, and it was beautiful, and I drank the wine, and it corrupted me. It ruined my life, basically.” It’s such a tragic story, but I think it’s a real moment of connection, a shared memory.
MC: I love that Adar is so fallible to beauty. To Elrond, he’s like, “Your grandmother was really stunning, by the way,” which is so elfy of him.
RELATED: Read our recaps for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The Rings of Power Season 3
MM: One more question. What are you most looking forward to exploring with your respective character journeys in Season 3 and beyond?
MC: I’m really looking forward to Galadriel becoming ever more powerful and yet ever more careful with the power she has and becoming light.
CV: I’m really looking forward to seeing all of Sauron’s different forms. Not necessarily in a shape-shifting way, but to see him play with power and weakness.
I think there’s a lot of scope to explore him at his mightiest, leading armies, but also at his visibly weakest when Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) captures him, and he surrenders and goes to be imprisoned in Númenor. How he can use the tool of his transformation to manipulate the people around him. I think there’s huge scope there, which could be really fun.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Prime Video.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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