Rings of Power show creator JD Penn explains why Nori-Poppy is not the same as Frodo-Sam; was there consideration of replacing Vickers

So, when the idea for Rings of Power was born, a prequel to the epic Lord of the Rings, it wasn’t hard to assume that a ‘stand-in’ for our favourite hobbits would be too hard to resist. In came Norri (Eleanor Brandyfoot) and her friend Poppy Proudfellow, two young hartfoots with a thirst for adventure and the promise of friendship.

Another timeless friendship that inspired thousands of fan-art was that of Legolas and Gimli – the bubbly elf and the angry dwarf who eventually find a place in each other’s hearts. Could the elf Elrond and the dwarf-prince Durin be a reflection of them too?

The show’s creator J.D. Penn doesn’t see it that way. Speaking to us, he said that there are differences between these characters.

Same but different?

“If you look at all of Tolkien’s stories and see what kind of relationships there are in his stories, the story of Elrond and Durin in particular comes from this idea that in the Second Age, Tolkien tells us that there was friendship between dwarves and elves. There was a closeness between those two peoples that was closer than at any other time in Middle-earth’s history. So, we really felt we wanted to capture that. It definitely resonates in Legolas and Gimli as well,” Penn told us.

Sauron has taken control of the story. And once he takes control, he never gives it up.

How about Nori-Poppy and Frodo-Sam? “I mean, since they’re half kids and they’re friends, I think it makes sense. I think it’s a different kind of relationship. Sam is Frodo’s gardener, which is a different kind of relationship. In some ways, Poppy is like an adoptive sister to Nori, in that she’s lost her family and becomes first a friend and then almost a family member to Nori and the Brandyfoot family. So, it’s a little different, but since they’re half kids and they’re friends, you can definitely draw that parallel,” he explains.

Vickers was always going to be an Annater

Rings of Power is returning for a second season on Prime Video on August 29. Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, it follows the rise to power of the evil lord Sauron. He is played by Charlie Vickers, who looks completely different this time around as Sauron’s ‘fair form’, Annatar. Last season, we saw him as the ‘human’ Helbrand, fooling kings and elves and elven kings about his true identity.

Keep an eye on Sauron’s costume this season as it shows some changes to him

With his blonde wig, elven robes, pointy ears and undeniably evil aura, many people did a double take upon seeing the new incarnation in the trailers and promotional materials. Many hoped that Vickers would be replaced by another actor to better sell the ‘Annatar’ mask of Sauron. But Penn told us that this was never considered.

He says, “Yeah, we always knew it was going to be him. We did various look developments in terms of how we wanted to execute it with the hair and makeup, the costume. Eventually, we landed on him, and we thought he looked fantastic and it’s fun to watch him throughout the season because his clothes and costumes reflect how he becomes more overtly black throughout the season. Watch his costume because it reflects some of the changes that are happening in him and his relationship with Galadriel.”

So, the Clark Kent impression was avoided? ‘That’s a testament to Vickers’ abilities as an actor,’ says Penn. ‘He’s quite, quite talented.’

Sauron takes control

Promising a payoff in season two, Penn told us, “I think in terms of where we are in the franchise, this is the second chapter of the story. You get further into it. You get to know more about the characters, you get to know what’s going on, and you can just start with a bang. We did a lot of chessboard setting in season one, introducing people to the second age of Middle-earth. And then there were some big things and revelations at the end of season one. But now Sauron has really taken control of the narrative. And once he takes control, he never leaves.”