Interview with Charlie Vickers - Sauron revealed: Season two of "The Rings of Power" dives deeper

The first season finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ended with an unexpected twist. It turns out that Halbrand, the mysterious newcomer from the Southlands, is Sauron, the villain trying to manipulate his surroundings for his purposes. The second season of the production focuses on Halbrand/Sauron's fate. We spoke with Charlie Vickers, the actor who plays this role.

The series' creators managed to deceive the viewers because in Tolkien's books, Sauron appeared in the guise of Annatar. Introducing Halbrand into the series cleverly confused Tolkien's fans, although not all of them. The second season of the production, available on Prime Video since August 29, focuses on the fate of Halbrand/Sauron. He is the main character. In an interview Charlie Vickers, who plays Halbrand/Sauron, said: "The hardest part was that I had to keep quiet about it during the entire promotion tour for the first season. When the series started airing, viewers began to suspect something. They started asking me directly if I was Sauron. And each time I had to make up something, which was not very comfortable. My family knew, so when someone close to me was asked if Charlie was really playing Sauron, they also had to make up something on the spot!"

You had to keep a secret for the whole first season that your character was actually Sauron, the biggest villain in Tolkien's works. Was it hard to keep your mouth shut?

Charlie Vickers: Very hard! The worst part was that I had to keep quiet about it during the entire promotion tour for the first season. When the series started airing, viewers began to suspect something. They started asking me directly if I was Sauron. And every time I had to make up something, which was not very comfortable.

Did you tell anyone the truth?

My family knew, so when someone close to me was asked if Charlie was really playing Sauron, they also had to make up something on the spot! (laughs)

I'm wondering, did you know from the beginning who your character was?

No, it was a revelation for me too. I found out at the beginning of working on the third episode of the first season. The series creators, J.D. and Patrick, called me to their office for a serious conversation. I didn't guess what it could be about because we had a break due to the coronavirus pandemic at that time. Many of us stayed in New Zealand and didn't return to our countries. I thought it was about some production issues. JD and Patrick were very serious. They looked at me and said almost simultaneously: "OK, we'll tell you now." And they took me to the set to show me where my real home is.

How did you react?

I thought that maybe I wouldn’t be the nicest guest, but I would play someone truly extraordinary. I kept thinking: "Cool, cool, cool!" Besides, I like surprises. When I found out that I would be Sauron, I felt relieved because it confirmed my suspicions. I feel truly privileged. I don't feel any pressure about who I'm playing, but rather, I feel excitement and joy that I can tell this story and test myself in this role.

Aren't you afraid that now fans won't root for you?

I think there's something attractive about villains. And besides, can’t we cheer for Sauron just because he's evil? We've got to know him a bit, we know what drives him. If we didn't know he was Sauron, would it then be OK to root for him? I'm curious to see how viewers will approach this character in the second season.

For now, fans of the series are teasing you a bit on the internet that you returned to Eregion with a changed hairstyle and no one recognises you...

That's also because Galadriel didn't confess her discovery to anyone. Other characters don't know that Halbrand is actually Sauron. Galadriel is silent because she feels great shame and doesn't know how to deal with it. She blames herself, thinking that she is the reason Sauron safely settled in Eregion because she helped him and introduced him to everyone. The other residents don't really pay much attention to my character. They think: "That's probably the guy who was here a few months ago," but they don't delve into details. The change in my appearance was more about being able to manipulate someone again with a new image… I may sound a bit cryptic, but anyone who watches the second season will understand what I mean. I'll just say that I look a bit like I stepped out of "House of the Dragon," with characters with silver hair.

Did you feel different on the set of the second season? Did you have to reinvent your character? Give him new traits?

Definitely. Now, my character's motives are much more visible, and they are crucial to shaping the character. At the beginning of the second season, Halbrand is the same person we saw at the end of the first series. But his transformation into Sauron progresses, and his goal becomes clearer and more visible. To achieve his goal, he tries to use a certain individual. He has to consider what kind of being would earn the respect of Celebrimbor, the greatest elven blacksmith in the history of Middle-earth. What's the answer? Well, someone as cool and iconic as Barack Obama, someone everyone respects. Except it has to be Barack Obama not from America but from Middle-earth.

Would you vote for him if he ran for a third presidential term?

One hundred percent yes. If only that were possible...

Charles Edwards plays Celebrimbor. How did you build your relationship?

We were both incredibly excited to tell this story. We were happy when the day to go on set approached. In the first season, where our stories were heading was still veiled. Now we could say more directly. And we just couldn't wait for that. We loved coming to work every day. We shot chronologically, and there was no jumping between threads, as often happens in filming movies and series. Everything followed one after another, and our excitement grew. Besides, the set was incredible as we filmed in a massive forge specially prepared for the production. We spent a lot of time there, with only the two of us, well, maybe with a few elves who also worked there. Sometimes, a dwarf or two would pop in. But because we spent so much time playing with each other, the chemistry between us just came naturally. I think it comes from the passion we both have for what we do. We were really excited and happy to tell such an essential storyline from the perspective of Tolkien's works.

Why does Halbrand manage to manipulate Celebrimbor? Is it an ego thing?

I think so. In the first season, we saw him as both an ambivalent and ambitious character. Charles Edwards at least tried very hard to make it clear because now that issue is hugely significant. And Tolkien told us that he wanted to compete with the fame and skills of his very famous grandfather. He's always been looking for a project to elevate his name to the top and put it on a brass plaque somewhere nearby. He craves fame, so he has an ego problem. Sauron sees that and immediately exploits it.