In the vast, richly woven tapestry of Middle-earth, few characters bear the weight of destiny like Elendil, the nobleman and warrior at the heart of Amazon’s The Rings of Power. For Lloyd Owen, the British actor tasked with bringing this pivotal figure to life, the journey has been as complex and rewarding as the character he portrays. In an exclusive interview, Owen opens up about the pressures of stepping into such an iconic role, the physical and emotional demands of the part, and how the show’s second season will see Elendil further tested by the burdens of leadership and loss.
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How it all started
When Owen first discovered he would be playing Elendil in the Rings of Power, it was a moment tinged with excitement and trepidation. “It’s been a bit of a journey of discovery,” Owen shares, reflecting on the secrecy that surrounded his initial involvement in the project. “The way these particular projects with this kind of IP start is that there’s a lot of secrecy… so that, as the actor, you get a little, uh, dummy script, so you get different sides or you got a character with a different name that doesn’t appear.” It wasn’t until much later, during quarantine in New Zealand due to the pandemic, that Owen learned the true identity of his character. His reaction was one of elation, mixed with the sobering realization of the hero’s archetype he would need to embody.
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Born in London, Lloyd Owen’s acting journey began at an early age, heavily influenced by his father, actor Glyn Owen. Lloyd’s early exposure to theater and performance set the stage for a career that would see him traverse both screen and stage, earning acclaim for his versatility and depth. With a background that includes Shakespearean roles and a recurring part in the popular TV series Monarch of the Glen, Owen has always sought out roles that challenge him as an artist. Elendil, however, presented a unique opportunity—a role steeped in the rich lore of J.R.R. Tolkien, demanding not only physical prowess but a deep emotional resonance that would connect with fans of the epic saga.
Elendil’s journey in The Rings of Power
Owen describes Elendil’s journey in The Rings of Power as a profound exploration of the hero’s journey, an arc that sees his character grappling with his identity, his responsibilities, and the immense loss that defines his path. “Elendil’s is the hero’s journey. And the hero’s journey is a man to say who, me, no, you, you must mean that guy behind me. I’m not a hero,” Owen explains, capturing the reluctance and vulnerability that defines his character. “I think he hits the heart of men particularly because it’s this, the sense of having to step up, having to lead, even though there might be great vulnerabilities, there might be great insecurities there.”
Season 1 ended with Elendil facing immense personal tragedy—the loss of his wife, his homeland, and the growing rift with his daughter, Eärien, as she drifts toward darker influences. These losses weigh heavily on Elendil, and Owen emphasizes how they shape the character’s decisions in Season 2. “It’s through grief that he gets there,” Owen says, highlighting the transformative power of loss in Elendil’s journey. This season will see him continue to grapple with these burdens, all while trying to maintain his leadership and navigate the political tensions of Númenor.
For Owen, the complexity of Elendil’s character lies in his humanity. Despite his stoic exterior, Elendil is deeply affected by the events around him. “I think he’s a very, very human character,” Owen reflects, noting how this humanity is central to his portrayal. “Cause sometimes you think, okay, well, I would I, Lloyd, like to say to her, you know what? I’m so sorry. I should. Yes, let’s talk about it. But he’s not that guy at that point.” This internal struggle, where duty often overrides personal desires, adds a layer of depth to Elendil, making him a character audiences can both empathize with and question.
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What it takes for Lloyed Owen to portray an iconic character
The physical demands of portraying a seasoned warrior like Elendil in the Rings of Power were not lost on Owen, who underwent extensive training to ensure authenticity in his performance. “We had individual personal training sessions, we had group training sessions with all the boys… working with stunts three or four days a week. So we just learned sword skills,” he recalls, noting the rigorous preparation required to bring the character to life. Beyond the combat training, Owen also developed a deep bond with Trinko, the horse he rides on set, an experience that further grounded him in the role. “We definitely build up an excellent relationship, me and that horse,” he shares with a fondness that mirrors Elendil’s connection to his steed.
In discussing the challenges of portraying Elendil, Owen points to the intricate balance between conveying strength and vulnerability. “What I feel the pressure is of my job, especially this part, is trying to be as truthful as I can at all times,” he says. Owen emphasizes the importance of authenticity in his performance, aiming to create an experience where the audience is fully immersed in the character’s journey. “It’s not, you know, we’ve all, we’ve all, we’ve all gone through it, we’ve all gone through something… we know where the truth is and we know where it’s fabrication.”
The Rings of Power Season 2
As The Rings of Power continues to unfold, Owen’s portrayal of Elendil stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Tolkien’s world—a place where heroes are forged not just in battle, but in the crucible of personal sacrifice and moral dilemmas. For Owen, the role is not just about embodying a character from literature, but about connecting with the audience on a deeply human level. “That’s ultimately what I would love is that you feel as I feel or you feel as Elendil feels… that it triggers a feeling in you,” Owen concludes, expressing his hope that viewers will resonate with the trials and triumphs of his character.
With Season 2 on Prime promising to delve deeper into the complexities of Elendil’s journey, Lloyd Owen’s performance is set to be one of the highlights of The Rings of Power, offering audiences a hero who is as fallible as he is noble, and whose story continues to captivate the hearts of Tolkien fans everywhere.
