She will be one of this year’s most famous faces, the Welsh actress Morfydd Clark. Rich Jeff Bezos has bet several billion kroner that “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” will be this year’s big TV talk show on his streaming platform Amazon Prime. Morfydd Clark plays the elf Galadriel in the story, one of the most prominent roles in the series which premieres on 2 September. But time will tell if this will be a success. The series has received strong criticism before the premiere, including from the most die-hard fans. Morfydd Clark as the elf Galadriel. Photo: AP – Terrible Some of those who love the author behind the series’ universe, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, believe that the series has taken too many artistic liberties. They believe that the series creators’ choice to have diversity in the series conflicts with the author’s original work. The plot of the series is not based on a concrete book, but shorter texts and descriptions of the books that were published just before – and after – the Second World War. – I thought the criticism was terrible, says Morfydd Clark when news meets her in London. She elaborates: – The fantasy genre, of which this series is a part, can be anything. For me, it is unthinkable to imagine anything other than diversity among the actors. I wouldn’t be in this series if there were only white actors, she says. Actress Sophia Nomvete during the filming of the series. She plays the dwarf princess Disa. Photo: AP Tolkien’s grandson is satisfied Many are also excited – and a little skeptical – whether “Rings of Power” manages to engage and manage the known universe in a good enough way. – We hope people see the series before criticizing it, says Patrick McKay to news. He created the series, or is the so-called “showrunner”, together with JD Payne and producer Lindsey Weber. Patrick McKay and JD Payne are artistically responsible for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Photo: AP – Our mantra has been to go back to the books. In the descriptions there are several examples of cool female characters and people of all colors and shapes, says JD Payne. – So you are sure that Tolkien would have liked your version? – I don’t want to speculate on that, says Patrick McKay. – We have received positive reactions from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have seen the first two episodes. It’s the closest we get to the author himself, says JD Payne. Producer Lindsey Weber says they are prepared for clear feedback: – We are ready for criticism, but we are not ready for racism, she says.
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– Would not have participated if there were only white actors – news Culture and entertainment
