LOTR: Cast Fights Back at Racist Trolls and Unveils Exciting Season 2 Teasers

Cast members of Amazon Prime's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power addressed the ongoing racist backlash they face for being a part of the show. Despite this, they remain resilient and are now focused on the highly-anticipated second season. The actors have had to overcome racist criticism even before the show premiered and continue to face it today. It is astonishing that a specific group of Lord of the Rings fans take offense when they see people of color cast in any role. This unfortunate trend is not exclusive to the show but is prevalent throughout various forms of media, especially when previous iterations of the franchise predominantly featured white actors. However, the actors themselves are determined to rise above it and remain undeterred.

During the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco on Sunday, cast members Owain Arthur, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Lloyd Owen, and Maxim Baldry discussed various topics, including fan bigotry. Addai-Robinson, who has faced backlash, expressed her desire to move forward. "As we enter Season 2, I hope to leave that conversation in the past and forge ahead," she said. "Progress implies that we won't regress from the groundwork we have laid. I'm ready to acknowledge and move on from it, as we have exhausted the subject. Personally, I have nothing more to say."

While commendable for her decision to take the high road, other actors from the Lord of the Rings are less inclined to let the racist backlash go unaddressed. Arthur, a fellow cast member, expressed his frustration towards the hatred by stating, "It is infuriating. Like, seriously? Are we still at this point as a human race?" He acknowledged the mistreatment his castmates of color have endured and expressed hope for a future where humanity can unite and eradicate racism. Speaking about the upcoming second season of The Rings of Power, they shared their anticipation for the developments to come. Owen mentioned the revelation of Sauron at the end of Season 1 and questioned the impact of such immense evil on the universe and the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Baldry added that the second season would be more action-packed and filled with thrilling moments.

"According to Addai-Robinson, Season 1 of The Rings of Power serves as an introduction, setting the stage for familiar aspects of the story that will be further explored in Season 2. However, it also caters to newcomers to Tolkien's world who may not have read the books or seen the movies. As such, Season 1 is designed to provide a foundation for these new viewers. In contrast, Season 2 will delve deeper into the storyline, offering a more substantial narrative. Currently, Season 1 can be streamed on Prime Video, and fans can expect Season 2 to premiere in 2024."

Source: Variety