The Lord of the Rings franchise is held very near and dear to many Kiwi’s hearts, and the brand-new retelling of the franchise has been nothing but popular upon it’s release. 

The Rings of Power had an estimated 25 million viewers tune in for its Season 1 premiere, and it’s second season has begun. 

It’s set thousands of years before the events of JRR Tolkein’s novels, with Middle Earth’s infamous villain inhabiting a flesh and blood body for the first time on screen. 

Australian actor Charlie Vickers plays Sauron, a twist only revealed in the final episode of the first season, as his charismatic Halbrand was unmasked. 

The twist was something of a surprise to Vickers as well, as he only found out after they had begun filming. 

“I filmed the first two episodes of the show, not knowing I was playing Sauron,” he told Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame. 

“And then they called me into their office in Henderson and they said, you’re, so it turns out that Halbrand is Sauron.” 

“I was left reeling, in a good way.” 

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