Exclusive | The Rings of Power star Charlie Vickers reveals he didn’t know Halbrand was Sauron until episode 3 of first season: ‘I was sus though’
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's makers indeed did a commendable job in the first season of the show hiding Halbrand's true identity until the very end.
Actors Charlie Vickers and Morfydd Clark as Halbrand and Galadriel, respectively, in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. (Image: TLOTR on Prime)
Widely regarded as one of the most influential authors of all time and a pioneer of the fantasy genre, John Ronald Reuel (JRR) Tolkien has profoundly inspired countless writers with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, encouraging them to expand their creative horizons and infuse their stories with as much fantasy as possible. Although Tolkien’s stories have been adapted into various forms of media, the newest addition to the list is the fantasy streaming series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
Drawing from Tolkien’s detailed history of Middle-earth, primarily the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power is set thousands of years before the events of the novels, mainly set in the Second Age. The first chapter concluded with a shocking twist: Halbrand (Charlie Vickers), who was thought to be the long-lost King of the Southlands, was actually Sauron, the former lieutenant of the Dark Lord Morgoth, in disguise. This revelation surprised not only Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), the elven warrior, but also the audience.
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Actor Charlie Vickers as Halbrand in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. (Image: TLOTR on Prime)
Now, nearly two years after the pilot episode first aired, streaming giant Amazon Prime Video has returned with the Rings of Power’s second season, offering a deeper dive into the dark age when evil is leaving no stone unturned to ensure its resurrection and the coronation of Sauron as the saviour of Middle-earth.
Nevertheless, The Rings of Power’s creators JD Payne and Patrick McKay, along with their writing team, did a commendable job in the first season of hiding Halbrand’s true identity. Not only did they lead viewers to believe he was a key ally for Galadriel in her quest to find and defeat evil, but the narrative also cleverly suggested that other characters, including the Stranger (Daniel Weyman), might be Sauron, given their ambiguous nature and suspicious behaviour.
Watch Charlie Vickers and Charles Edwards interview for The Rings of Power Season 2 here:
Now that the secret is out, we were curious whether actor Charlie Vickers knew about the twist from the beginning or if the show’s creators kept him in the dark until later. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express in Singapore, Vickers revealed that he initially didn’t know about the twist. “They (Payne and McKay) actually didn’t tell me until we were just about to start filming the third episode (of season one). Then they took me into a part of the set, which is the Northern Waste (also known as Forodwaith), where you see the opening sequence of this season, and they said, ‘This is your kingdom,’ and that Halbrand is Sauron,” he added.
“It was a big relief because I was sus (suspicious). I was thinking maybe there’s more to this Halbrand character. So, it was nice to finally be officially told,” the Australian actor added.
While the first three episodes of The Rings of Power’s second season have been unveiled on Amazon Prime Video, the remaining five will be released weekly, every Thursday.
Anandu Suresh is a distinguished Deputy Copy Editor at The Indian Express Online, where he serves as a leading voice in cinematic critique and industry analysis. With over six years of rigorous experience in the media landscape, he has established a reputation for incisive, long-form commentary that bridges the gap between commercial cinema and art-house narratives.
Experience & Career
Anandu’s professional journey is rooted in a deep academic and practical foundation in the humanities and communication. He holds a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature and a PG Diploma in Journalism and Communication. Before ascending to his current editorial leadership role at The Indian Express, he honed his skills on the news desk of The New Indian Express in Hyderabad. His career is marked by a transition from core news operations to specialized cultural journalism, allowing him to bring a structured, news-oriented rigor to the entertainment beat.
Expertise & Focus Areas
While Anandu’s portfolio spans the global cinematic landscape, he is widely regarded as an expert in Malayalam Cinema. His unique approach to film criticism is defined by:
Cinema Anatomy: A dedicated column where he deconstructs the structural layers of films to uncover deeper sociopolitical meanings.
Marginalized Narratives: A commitment on-ground and analytical reporting on how cinema represents or fails marginalized communities.
Critiquing "Performative Wokeness": Rigorous analysis of modern filmmaking trends, identifying the difference between authentic representation and superficial social commentary.
Multimedia Discourse: Actively fostering continuous public dialogue on cinema through digital platforms and archival research.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anandu Suresh is a trusted authority in the film journalism circuit, frequently providing exclusive coverage from major international festivals like the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). His work goes beyond standard reviews; he is known for holding the industry accountable, as seen in his extensive reporting on sensitive issues like the 2017 Kerala actress assault case and the legal complexities surrounding film credits. By prioritizing "Journalism of Courage," Anandu ensures his readers receive commentary that is not only intellectually stimulating but also ethically grounded and factually robust. ... Read More
