When you think of The Lord of the Rings, visions of epic battles, powerful rings, and moral dilemmas immediately come to mind. But amidst the chaos and grandeur, it’s the individual journeys of characters like Miriel and Nori that add emotional depth to The Rings of Power. I had the chance to sit down with Cynthia Addai-Robinson, who plays the formidable Queen Miriel, and Markella Kavenagh, who brings the curious Nori to life. Together, we delved into their characters’ arcs, what drives them, and how they navigate their worlds of leadership and innocence in a land on the brink of war.
The Inquisitive Nori: Embracing Curiosity Amidst Darkness
Markella Kavenagh’s Nori is like a breath of fresh air in a world thick with tension. She embodies innocence and curiosity, qualities that contrast with the heavier storylines of Middle-earth. Markella mentioned that Nori’s personality—her inquisitive nature and urge to explore—wasn’t just an accident. “I always made sure to flesh out her backstory, thinking about where her curiosity came from,” Kavenagh said.
It’s interesting to think of Nori, a seemingly small player, holding so much potential to affect the grander scheme. “Nori just wants to make her corner of Middle-earth better, and whether or not that affects the whole world, who knows?” Kavenagh explained, showcasing her character’s pure motivations. This down-to-earth nature is what makes Nori such a standout in The Rings of Power.
Miriel: A Queen Torn Between Prophecy and Politics
On the other side of the spectrum, we have Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Queen Miriel, a character whose arc is soaked in prophecy, politics, and the crushing weight of leadership. When asked how she connects with such a complex character, Cynthia shared, “I always viewed Miriel as someone who internalizes a lot, especially after her blindness.”
Miriel’s character showcases what it means to hold everything together, even when it’s all crumbling. Cynthia’s portrayal captures that balancing act beautifully. “The inner world she has to maintain, while leaning on Alendil, is something I really connected with,” she said. The dynamics between Miriel and Alendil evolve as she grapples with being a queen who can no longer trust most of those around her, yet must project strength to her people.
Innocence Meets Leadership: How Nori and Miriel Reflect Tolkien’s Themes
The juxtaposition of Nori and Miriel reflects the broader themes that J.R.R. Tolkien weaved into his stories—innocence and leadership, destiny, and the burdens of power. Both characters, in their own way, represent the small forces that could ultimately shift the tides of Middle-earth. As Cynthia mentioned, “We’re both trying to be forces for good in our corners of Middle-earth.”
This brings us to the heart of what The Rings of Power explores: personal journeys in the face of larger, uncontrollable forces. Nori, with her pure motivations, and Miriel, with her burdensome role, are both pivotal in Tolkien’s world of destiny and leadership.
