Rings of Power showrunner JD Payne explains why Sam-Frodo and Nori-Poppy aren’t the same | Web series

So when the idea came up Rings of powera prequel to the epic Lord of the Rings, it wasn’t hard to see why the “replacements” for our favorite hobbits might have been too much to resist. Enter Nori (Eleanor Brandyfoot) and her friend Poppy Proudfellow, the two young Hartfoots with a thirst for adventure and a promise of friendship.

Another timeless friendship that inspired thousands of pieces of fan art was that of Legolas and Gimli: the cheeky elf and the grumpy dwarf who eventually win each other’s hearts. Could even the elf Elrond and the dwarf prince Durin be a reflection of them?

Showrunner JD Payne doesn’t see it that way. In an interview with us, he said that the differences between these characters do exist.

Same but different?

“If you look at the relationships that exist in Tolkien’s stories, the one between Elrond and Durin comes specifically from the idea that in the Second Age, Tolkien tells us that there was a friendship between the dwarves and the elves. There was a closeness between those two people, closer than at any other time in the history of Middle-earth. So we really wanted to capture that. It’s certainly reflected in Legolas and Gimli as well,” Payne tells us.

Sauron has taken control of the narrative, and once he does, he never lets go.

What about Nori-Poppy and Frodo-Sam? “I mean, insofar as they’re halflings and they’re friends, sure I guess it makes sense. I think it’s a different kind of relationship. Sam is Frodo’s gardener, which is kind of a different kind of relationship. In some ways, Poppy is more like a foster sister to Nori, in that she’s lost her family and she’s become first a friend and then almost a family member to Nori and the Brandyfoot family. So it’s slightly different, but insofar as they’re halflings and they’re friends, you could definitely draw that parallel,” she explains.

Vickers was always going to be Annatar

Rings of Power returns for a second season on Prime Video on August 29. Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, it explores the rise to power of the evil lord Sauron. He is played by Charlie Vickers, who has a rather different look this time around as Sauron’s “fair form,” Annatar. Last season, we saw him as the “human” Halbrand, deceiving kings, elves, and elven-kings about his true identity.

Look at Sauron’s costumes this season because they reflect some of the changes that are happening to him.

With his blonde wigs, elf-like robes, pointy ears and undeniably evil aura, many were hesitant upon seeing the new avatar in trailers and promotional material. Many expected Vickers to be replaced by another actor to better sell Sauron’s “Annatar” façade. But Payne tells us that was never considered.

He says, “Yeah, we knew from the beginning that it would be him. We did a number of makeovers in terms of looking exactly how we wanted to execute it with hair, makeup, and costume. We finally landed on that and we feel like it looks fantastic and it’s fun to watch him throughout the season because his outfits and costumes reflect how he becomes more overtly dark throughout the season. Watch his costumes because they reflect some of the changes that are happening in him and in his relationship with Galadriel.”

So has the Clark Kent effect been avoided? Payne says it’s “a testament” to Vickers’ abilities as an actor. “He’s very, very talented.”

Sauron takes control

Payne tells us that season two promises a denouement: “I think by the nature of the franchise we’re in, this is the second chapter of a story. You’ll get deeper into it. You’ll get to know the characters more, you’ll know more about what’s going on, and you’ll be able to start off with a bang. In season one, we did a lot of chessboard setting, introducing people to the Second Age of Middle-earth. And then there were some big things that happened 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 lets go.