Fans at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) this past weekend got an exclusive look at a brand new trailer for the second season of Prime Video’s Rings of Power. The trailer revealed the rings themselves, various creatures of Middle Earth, and Sauron’s growing influence. Everyone will get to see the full scope of season two starting August 29th. The show’s large ensemble cast appeared in Hall H and sat down for interviews, including Charles Edwards (Celebrimbor) and Charlie Vickers (now revealed as Sauron).

In an interview at SDCC, the pair discussed the show’s immense production scale, the challenges of mastering the show’s unique languages, and the anticipation surrounding the reveal of Sauron’s identity. They also hinted at the evolving dynamics between Celebrimbor and Sauron, promising a deeper exploration of their motivations and the consequences of their choices in the upcoming season.

Charlie Vickers discusses what it’s like to portray a villain

Sauron is undeniably evil, but Halbrand doesn’t necessarily adhere to the same moral code. Vickers explains how Sauron justifies his actions, touching on how he finds an emotional anchor to connect with. He also provides insight into the transformation from Halbrand to Sauron.

“I think he wants to heal and unify Middle Earth, and he thinks that everything is going to work so much better. It’s going to be great if everyone just listens to it and just did what I wanted. Everyone would be better off. I don’t think it’s helpful for him or me as the actor to think about, oh, I’m going to go out and just be mean to everyone. I mean, it’s just I think any evil that comes from him, he will stop at nothing to satisfy that. you know, to achieve that vision. So I do play the good guy in my mind. But, I know he is, like, unequivocally evil. I think everything had to be connected to some kind of through line, right? Without that. And it was actually quite a surprisingly long process because I had in my mind I know what I want to do, but in practice, the preparation was about connecting it to everything that Halbrand sort. And although I’m dressed differently, I look different, I move differently, I speak differently. That all has to come from its emotional throughline, which is to heal middle earth. Right. Which is the point that Halbrand got to at the end of last season to finally understanding this idea that he’d had in his mind, a power not of the flesh, but over flesh. And then he meets this guy in episode eight. Yeah, you can finally help him put it into practice. I have the ideas and you have the practical skill. Yeah, you have the vision. I have, but I have the ambition for the vision. Exactly. And that’s something that’s crucial to the relationship. And my exploitation. Yeah. So you said something really cool during the panel that, Well, who’s the real Lord of the rings? While both of you are. But in different times. I mean, you (Celebrimbor) started as the Lord of the rings, but now always Halbrand.” -Charlie Vickers

The scope of Middle Earth is vast

The scope of Middle Earth is vast. Charles discusses what it’s like to be surrounded by such an immense world. He talks about how Rings of Power differs from projects like The Crown and touches on what it takes to bring Tolkien’s vision to life.

“You walk into some of the sets that have been built for this show, like half my forge is an extraordinary set piece. And the other thing is that the amazing cross the ship has gone into the show. I’ve, you know, a lot of it. When the first show first came out, a lot of people commented on how much it cost. But you don’t do a show like this. It’s not. There’s no point in doing Tolkien if you’re not going to do it justice. Yeah. There’s no point in it. That’s not. Okay. Sorry. Right. Got to have the cast. So, But the details, the costumes, all handmade. Everything’s been beautifully prepared by people who care very much as we do about sourcing the subject matter. So it feels like it is a colossal show to watch.” -Charles Edwards

Middle Earth is full of incredible races and language

Middle Earth is full of incredible races and languages. Charles discusses this aspect of the world. Charles gives us some insight into the linguistic challenges of participating in Middle Earth.

“Well, I didn’t get to speak much Elvish. it just didn’t happen. but we had I remember in New Zealand I had lessons on those, Elvish writing, which I really enjoyed. I’m into that. Yeah. So, I got to write a little bit, but the odd word here and there. But linguistically, my challenges. I’m quite a lazy speaker, and tend to trail away at the end of sentences. So yeah. So especially these scenes with the conversation are very kind of intimate. I always had notes about keeping that, you know, don’t trail away. You remember who he is. And that was from Leaf Macpherson, our dialect coach. I had a bit of black speech, which you saw in the trailers. But that was it.” -Charles Edwards

How the audience should feel while re-experiencing the first season

After secrets were revealed in season one, Charles Edwards and Charlie Vickers discuss how the audience should feel while re-experiencing the first season. Charles and Charlie reflect on their characters’ interactions in season one and discuss how the reception of them has changed since the reveal.

“I mean, I hope so, yeah. Sorry to leap in with that. But yeah, I think something happens in that forwards when we meet in episode eight is that is when his spell is cast. Yeah. And, I think the suggestion that he makes kind of brings, why don’t you try this, I think people said we should know a bit more, know that he’s, he’s got he’s getting inside his head and. Yeah. And, so I think when people look back on that scene, for example, they will see the seed planted.” -Charlie Vickers

Charlie and Charles discuss the development of their relationship

Celebrimbor and Halbrand begin to bond at the end of season 1, while Charlie and Charles discuss the development of their relationship in season two. Charles and Charli together were very entertaining, feeding off of each other like best friends. Charlie shares insights into how their characters’ relationship evolves in season two.

“There are moments of bromance. Yeah. There is. And yeah, I actually think that’s what’s really cool about it is you see them come together and you see them, you know, get pulled apart. And then it’s like a push and pull the whole season. You see them become frustrated with each other in a very common, almost domestic way. Yeah. And it’s not like you get grumpy, you know. Exactly. You do that. And I think that’s what’s so cool about it. It’s not like, yeah, Sauron’s, you know, much stronger, but like, it’s not like I’m just like, telling him what to do the whole season. So yeah it’s a very satisfying relationship in that respect. You know it’s not all one sided.”-Charlie Vickers

Charlie talks about what the reveal was like for him

Halbrand and Sauron are one and the same. Charlie talks about what the reveal was like for him. Charlie tells us when in the process he found out that he was Sauron and how he put it together.

“No, I didn’t, I didn’t. I know I would have said that, but I actually wasn’t that surprised because we all got to New Zealand five years ago, and it was like going through the characters and we’re like, okay, there’s someone missing. Then he’s got to be here somewhere. And one of my audition monologues was, from, a book of poems called, Paradise Lost. And it was literally Satan. So, and then I auditioned with Richard the Third, so I was like, I’m pretty sure that this, like, random guy from the North is like, maybe there’s something more to him. So it was actually more of a relief. Yeah. It wasn’t actually such a surprise.” -Charlie Vickers

New Showrunner for Season 2 

With new faces on the creative team* for season two, Charles talks about the feeling on set. Everyone involved in Rings of Power is passionate about the show, and Charles describes what it’s like having such dedicated people in charge.

“Yeah, they know so much it’s been really special to see, both seasons really how much love and just deep care they have of material. And like, if you talk to Jade, he just is like an encyclopedia. I said today when Charlie was doing his Black speech on the big screen, I was like, oh, what bit’s that from? I mean, he just started talking to me, like translating the Black Speech in my ear. And he would just, He gets very moved by it.” Charles Edwards

Fans can rest assured that the cast and the showrunners, writers, directors, and the entire crew truly care about the show that they are making. Every part of Rings of Power has been crafted with thought and care. Charles Edwards and Charlie Vickers have nothing but great things to say about the people who usher out their incredible performances.

Season 2 of The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power

In Season Two of The Rings of Power, Sauron returns, cast out by Galadriel. Now, the cunning Dark Lord must rebuild his strength alone and create the Rings of Power to dominate Middle-earth. Building on Season One’s epic scale, the new season throws beloved characters into a growing darkness. Challenging them to find their place in a world on the brink of disaster. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots face strained friendships and fractured kingdoms, testing the bonds that hold them together.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to life the heroic legends of Middle-earth’s Second Age. Taking place thousands of years before The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The epic drama reveals the forging of great powers and the rise and fall of kingdoms. As well as the testing of unlikely heroes. It depicts a time when hope hangs by a thread, and Tolkien’s greatest villain threatens to consume the world in darkness.

The first season of The Rings of Power achieved remarkable success, reaching over 100 million viewers worldwide and accumulating over 32 billion minutes streamed. It shattered records with 25 million global viewers on its premiere day, becoming the biggest in Prime Video history. The series topped Nielsen’s streaming chart and drove more Prime sign-ups than any previous content. The season finale sparked a global cultural phenomenon, with series-themed hashtags trending in 27 countries.

Make sure you don’t miss the August 29th premiere of Prime Video’s Rings of Power, season two. 

*Updated 8/3/2024

For more SDCC Coverage check out:

Rings of Power’s Morfydd Clark and Benjamin Walker at SDCC

[Interview] Rings of Power’s Cynthia Addai-Robinson and Trystan Gravelle at SDCC

 Ismael Cruz Córdova, Tyroe Muhafidin at SDCC