[Interview] The Rings of Power's Maxim Baldry and Sophia Nomvete

San Diego Comic-Con was thrilled to see the cast and showrunners of Prime Video’s The Rings of Power fill Hall H ahead of the season 2 release. Afterward, we had the opportunity to sit down with some of the cast members for a deeper dive into their characters. Among those we spoke with were Maxim Baldry, who plays Isildur, and Sophia Nomvete, who brings Princess Disa to life. Both actors shared insightful thoughts on their connection to their characters and the physical demands of portraying them on screen.

Sophia discusses what it’s like having so many separate storylines and what that means for cast interaction.

Sophia Nomvete describes the experience of working on a show with numerous separate storylines. Due to logistical reasons, actors often film their scenes in isolation, rarely interacting with cast members involved in other plotlines. The first time they see the show come together is usually when watching trailers, which can be an emotional experience as they witness the culmination of everyone’s efforts and see their colleagues in a new light. This unique filming process fosters a sense of separation during production but ultimately leads to a powerful sense of connection and appreciation when they witness the final product.

“We actually don’t get a chance to go visit. Yeah. So we kind of live in our own little bubble storyline, right? Actually. What’s amazing to seeing the trailers is it’s the first time we’ve seen all the bits. The show is kind of amazing how it all comes together. I see like half the company were in tears because, you know, we’re not, we’re not kept apart. But naturally, like it’s now the dwarfs filming and then we go away. So we’re not together just by default of logistics and where we are. And people are filming in different studios, sometimes different locations, etcetera, etcetera. So we just don’t cross paths unless we’re crossing paths of the scene. and so when we see this for the first time, you know, you’re seeing the people that we hang with and talk to and just seeing their work and even seeing them in a completely different light, really emotionally.”-Sophia Nomvete

Owain Arthur as Durin IV; Sophia Nomvete as Disa

Maxim Baldry and Sophia Nomvete both invest so much of themselves into their characters, they talked about what parts of their characters they identified with the most and what it’s like bringing them to life.

Sophia Nomvete finds it challenging to pinpoint her traits in Disa but celebrates their shared qualities: a loving mother, a loyal wife, humor, strength, and an unrelenting confidence she aspires to. Nomvete emphasizes the equality in Disa and Durin’s relationship, a key aspect explored further in Season 2.

“This is such a hard question. And I’ll tell you why. It’s a hard question. Because you’re like us as humans, with some of us secrets find it really hard to, like, compliment ourselves. I am one of those. But equally, I love Disa and think she’s amazing. And I think there are some traits that are similar. So it’s hard without sounding so silly, but I think it’s actually, I would say to somebody else, celebrate that. And so I celebrate the fact that, you know, she’s a mom and she wants what’s best for the world. She’s a loyal wife and that she has some humor, doesn’t take life too seriously, but she’s strong. And I believe that. I like to think that those are the traits that I have. you know, but she’s just an elevated, like, unrelenting confidence, strength I aspire to be. So it’s always playing. Yeah. And a kind of extended version of what I would like to be…But I think, you know, we’re introducing a new character at this point. The world knows Durin quite well, but they certainly don’t know Disa, you know, as a character built from scratch. So, we kind of tease, exercise that relationship and kind of like to think that the feedback for them is really wonderful. I think by the end of the season, you discover that, in fact, what’s so wonderful is that they are basically equal in power. Couple of like, and so yeah, that kind of like blows up and flourishes in season two. So we definitely see more of that because that’s what these sort of do and think of each other as equal parties. He’s in line to the throne, but he has a lot of love and respect for his wife, and he better”-Sophia Nomvete

Maxim Baldry identifies with Isildur’s complex and sometimes strained relationship with his father, drawing parallels to his own experiences. He believes this relatable familial struggle makes Isildur’s character resonate universally with the audience.

“So yeah, it’s very cool. I think with Isildur, yeah. And everyone has a relationship with their parents sort of estranged, you know, in some way. And I think that’s what I tapped into myself with my own family, my dad. So I think in that way, I think there’s something for everyone they can see in Isildur in some way. They’re definitely family. You know, it’s always tricky and complicated, especially for a father and a son as well. And I think that’s quite, quite a time. It can be a fractured thing because there’s also different perspectives and generations involved in that thinking. And I think that’s what I see that struck me when it’s that sort of generational evolution.” -Maxim Baldry

Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power is full of fantastical creatures and fictional races, Sophia Nomvete gets to step into that part of the world as our first female dwarf.

Sophia Nomvete, the first female dwarf in Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, prepared for her role with extensive physical training focusing on grounding and feeling the weight of the character. She describes a process of discovering how a dwarf would move, incorporating elements of sturdy posture and intentional movement. The costume, particularly the heavy boots and jewelry, further enhanced her physical embodiment of the character, adding to the sense of weight and grounding.

“We spent a lot of time doing some kind of, like, movement and physical work in season one, which we then carry to season two. And I tell you what makes it so that was really good because it is kind of like at the core of it, you know, it’s about feeling the ground under your feet. So we did a lot like I didn’t know what back just to make sure that my to feel that kind of feet planted, you know, to walk differently and also, you know, that they, they have that kind of sturdiness and weight and etc., etc. and so just how would they move? It was really funny, one of those things where like, we would I would always tell like that was my head. Naturally, if someone just had a little help, we worked on the whole body setting. So everything is made and, you know, with the heart. So just working those little nuances was the first step. I think what brought it all together was the costume in those boots weighed like a ton. Everything. Then this comes on, then you’ve got these jewels, and suddenly everything’s lifting and that kind of like it just sets the work off, I think. But yeah, it’s a lovely movement journey, really, really exciting. I can tell in some sections. In season one, when I was walking, I was like, oh, that’s a human walk. So yeah, yeah, walk like it.” -Sophia Nomvete

Maxim gave us some insight as to what his acting process is like when playing a character the audience already knows the ending for.

Maxim gave us some insight as to what his acting process is like when playing a character the audience already knows the ending for. Isildur is a well known character to Lord of the Rings fans. Maxim talks about what its like playing the iconic character and how he fills in the blanks until his end.

“Well, I think you know what’s coming. We just don’t know how. And that’s quite interesting and exciting. I think as a fan myself, you know, I’m wondering how he grows and evolves, becomes the man that does what he does. So I think, yes, season two is a story of survival for a sailor. And I never thought that he would be abandoned by his old family and country, in middle earth. So he has to fend for himself, he has to learn new things. And I think ultimately, season two also has to navigate a relationship in his heart for, for the first time, which can be more painful than we might expect when he eventually has to make a choice between love and his love for that’s going to be the balance for season two.”-Maxim Baldry

Maxim Baldry and Sophia Nomvete are excited to see where their characters go not only in season 2 but in the future of Middle Earth. With so much left to explore they are hoping to bring more of themselves to their characters and keep captivating audiences.

So, don’t miss the season two premiere of “The Rings of Power” on Prime Video tomorrow, August 29th. The first three episodes drop on August 29th, followed by a weekly release schedule for the rest of the season.