The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power Showrunners Address Backlash To Diverse Casting
By Jeremy Mathai/Feb. 10, 2022 12:22 pm EST
“Tolkien Is For Everyone”
Among the many new and familiar faces that will comprise the ensemble cast, “The Rings of Power” will feature actor Ismael Cruz Córdova in the role of a Silvan Elf named Arondir, becoming the first person of color in the franchise to play an Elf. The report describes his “forbidden relationship” with a mortal named Bronwyn, played by Nazanin Boniadi (who is of Iranian heritage). Sir Lenny Henry, of Jamaican descent, will portray a Harfoot (an ancestor of Hobbits) while Sophia Nomvete, the franchise’s very first Black woman, will portray the franchise’s first female Dwarf Disa. How’s that for a statement of intent? Executive producer Lindsey Weber reflected on this, saying:
Despite the disturbing insistence among some circles that fantasy characters must always remain Eurocentric in appearance, as many of the most seminal works abided by in decades past, it’s reassuring to hear that the artists in charge of these big budget productions are willing to risk “controversy” for the sake of casting the best possible actors for the job. At this point, there really is no excuse anymore. Whether fans like it or not, these conversations will only continue with every major adaptation of a somewhat dated work.
“It felt only natural to us that an adaptation of Tolkien’s work would reflect what the world actually looks like. Tolkien is for everyone. His stories are about his fictional races doing their best work when they leave the isolation of their own cultures and come together.”
