Sam Hazeldine Tells Us Everything There Is to Know About Adar on THE RINGS OF POWER: Past, Present, and Future

As a dedicated fan and scholar of Adar since the inception of The Rings of Power, I must say it was truly a pleasure to have this intimate conversation with Sam Hazeldine. His portrayal of Adar has been nothing short of captivating, and his dedication to the character is evident in every scene.


For those who adore Adar from the show “The Rings of Power,” the first two seasons have been a rollercoaster of emotions. For example, Adar managed to survive until the end of season one, but then there was an unforeseen change in actors. Switching actors can be challenging, especially when the initial portrayal is so well-received. However, it turned out that fans of Adar had no reason to fret. The character found himself in capable hands with Sam Hazeldine, who really grasps and embodies the essence of the elf. Moreover, Hazeldine brings the character to life flawlessly. Therefore, as a devoted fan of Adar, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Hazeldine following the season two finale of “The Rings of Power” about all things related to Lord-Father.

As a devoted admirer of Adar, Hazeldine has shed light on various intriguing aspects of his character, delving into the mysteries that surround him in “The Rings of Power”. From understanding his roots as a Uruk and the enigmatic bond he shared with Sauron and Galadriel, to exploring his complex emotions as an elf and grappling with deep-rooted trauma – Hazeldine’s insightful perspectives have filled in many blanks for us curious viewers. If you’re eager to immerse yourself further into Adar’s world, be sure to join us at our Uruk feast table, where we promise a satisfying exploration of this captivating character.

In the series “The Rings of Power,” Adar claims to be from the oldest times among the elves. Is it intended that he might have been one of the initial elves who awoke at Cuiviénen?

As a gamer, I’m hesitant to make such a bold claim. It feels like I might step into a trap, and someone will be quick to dispute it. However, in the grand tale of the Uruks, Adar is certainly among the first, if not the very first. If we go by his account, there were 13 of us who made this choice, some for power, others for children like myself or Adar. But remember, it’s a tale filled with mysteries and uncertainties, so I tread carefully when I speak about such things.

Do you know what happened to the other Moriondor?

Hazeldine: I think they died, yeah.

In “The Rings of Power,” it’s mentioned that Adar is Uruk’s father, but the text doesn’t elaborate on the details of this relationship. Have we ever talked about what that specifically implies in this context?

Hazeldine: Through countless experiments and torment over the centuries, these Elf volunteers were altered to their current state, a process that led to their corruption. For convenience, let’s call this process ‘DNA’, though another term might be more appropriate. Adar is an intermediate result of this process, akin to an experiment in a lab jar that didn’t quite meet expectations but was moving towards its goal. It’s truly horrific.

In our understanding, Morgoth mistreated Sason while Sauron did the same to Adar, and there was a hint that Sauron had some sort of mentorship role over Adar. So, I’m curious about what you envision their dynamic might have been before Morgoth’s downfall?

As a gamer immersed in this epic tale, I’d say it feels like Sauron cleverly disguised himself as a savior to Adar, hiding his true intentions from him. That’s why Adar put so much faith in Sauron, not realizing that the cunning deceiver was just as malevolent, if not more so, than Morgoth himself.

What’s your interpretation when Adar implies that Sauron was referring to offspring when he mentioned the Rings of Power to him, and why do you suppose he wouldn’t be able to produce children without Sauron’s involvement?

Hazeldine: Well, yeah, that’s another thing. It was like, what was wrong? It made me think at the time, what was wrong with his life, to do this deal, to say yes, to volunteer, he must have been very unhappy as an elf in the first place. And I feel like, I mean, you just look at everything that happens to him through the series and then take as much out of that as you can. As you do as an actor with any script. You see what you say. You see what other people say about you, put as much together to paint a picture without holes.

It seems to me that he was a deeply melancholic elf. Besides the fact that he couldn’t produce offspring, as far as I can tell, it appears he felt unappreciated and disrespected by both his fellow elves and the High Elves. I’m not sure of his role within their society.

Throughout the series’ two seasons, it seems to me that Adar yearns for something, though he might not acknowledge it himself – respect from the elves. He aspires to be regarded as an equal. However, as portrayed by Jack Lowden in his role as Sauron, it is stated at the start of season two that the elves would never grant him such recognition. Men may see him with contempt, and I suspect even the elves hold a mixture of pity and disgust towards him.

There was no pity involved. I think it was like hate, murder, and disgust.

Hazeldine: No, no pity. No pity. Even worse. Even worse.

1) By the end of Adar’s tale, it seems clear that Galadriel, one of the noble Elves, holds him in high esteem. As for Gil-galad, it appears that even he might have reconsidered his desire to annihilate the Uruk; at least, we can see Galadriel softening her stance significantly from where she started in season one.

It seems to me that one of his goals has now been accomplished. He is respected by the elves and feels as their equal, but this situation can’t last any longer. Upon being restored to his elven form, it’s almost like a post-traumatic stress reaction for him. It’s a sense of what might have been or could have been, only to be destroyed by him in the past. He must acknowledge and accept the consequences of his actions.

Hrm….

Hazeldine: No?

I absolve him.

Hazeldine: Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Thank you for saying so.

Do you think it was love at first sight between Adar and the Uruk on The Rings of Power?

It’s my belief that he felt both guilt and love towards them due to his involvement in their existence. He feels obligated to safeguard them and improve their lives because of this responsibility. I believe that’s what he values most, not his own life. He seems to have provided a sanctuary for them in Mordor, but things started going wrong when Sauron reappeared and disrupted the peace.

As a gamer pondering over Saurad, considering phrases like “He was magnificent,” “I yearned for his power,” and “He painted the world with vibrancy,” I can’t help but wonder if there was an emotional bond between Adar and Sauron. Was it infatuation, admiration, or something deeper? The lines blur when power and beauty intertwine, as they did in the tale of these two formidable beings.

Absolutely, I agree with your assessment. It seems Sauron has the ability to manipulate and deceive much like Galadriel initially experienced with Halbrand. Without realizing it, she was unwittingly ensnared in a deception. Similarly, he presented himself as Celebrimbor desired – as Annatar, the Lord of Gifts. Therefore, I believe Sauron has this knack for creating illusions that cater to people’s desires.

Who do you think Sauron was for Adar?

Adar might have seen him as a simple companion. To Adar, who believed he was dying at the hands of Morgoth, he seemed like an ear to listen, a voice to speak with, and a friend. However, it was actually Sauron, hidden behind the scenes, who orchestrated this torment and those genetic manipulations.

As a guardian of The Rings of Power, I can’t help but wonder sometimes if anyone ever thanks me for holding back the darkness of Sauron all these years.

User: I see what you mean, and you’re absolutely right. It’s an insightful observation. I’ll definitely consider raising it during our upcoming meeting. Frankly, it’s quite absurd. Agreed.

At least one thank you.

Hazeldine: Yeah, that would be nice. Some gratititude.

Could it be possible that Adar, in the lore of The Rings of Power, attempted to seek refuge with other elves after being taken by Morgoth, but was rejected due to their belief that he had become too tainted or corrupted?

User: In a nutshell, it seems as though Adar was largely unknown to everyone before his initial encounter with Arondir in season one. He appears to have been operating under the radar or, if you will, off the “R-Adar”. This is quite concerning, I’m afraid. My apologies for any confusion.

Likely, he wanted to avoid danger and keep hidden, so as not to attract attention to himself or the Uruk community for their own safety. However, it seems that he didn’t do this, perhaps because he was afraid they might not only be rejected but also identified and eliminated.


“During the dinner scene between Galadriel and Adar in The Rings of Power, it reminded me of Beauty and the Beast. Was this connection made during the filming process?

Absolutely, completely so. To put it simply, it was quite similar to what you described. Now, let me explain about the food. It seemed as though Hadar was attempting to prepare an elven feast for Galadriel, but the dishes didn’t appear at all appetizing. They looked more like a bizarre combination of chicken and squid, which wasn’t appealing in the least. Additionally, the food had a rather unappetizing, almost sweaty appearance.

But there were raspberries!

User: Indeed, there were raspberries! When I asked if there was any fruit to eat because I needed something, she replied that everything was edible. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find some small fruits, possibly elven-like, such as raspberries. Hence, the raspberries were present.

If Galadriel had granted Uruk’s rights during their conversation in episode six of The Rings of Power when Adar asked her “And then what happens?”, would it have been possible for him to join the “Us” Alliance?

Hazeldine: I suppose it’s possible, but let me clarify. Even if we had reached a deal, the siege of Eregion would still be necessary. However, she seemed fine with that arrangement initially. The problem was her inability to ensure Gil-galad’s agreement, and he wouldn’t agree either. In essence, she didn’t have the authority to finalize such a deal.

So Adar quotes Rumil to Elrond. Do you think he is a secret elven poetry nerd?

Absolutely, I agree with you on that. He definitely fits the description. By the way, I wish I could have spoken more Elvish, particularly Quenya and Sindarin. Indeed, they are lovely languages. I find them easier to grasp compared to the Black Speech since they are fully formed languages. When you learn them, they seem logical somehow, unlike the Black Speech which is mostly rough, guttural sounds, making it challenging. However, Elvish is what I enjoy learning the most. The line I used to capture Galadriel is one of my favorites: “Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo.” It’s truly beautiful and remains one of my favorite parts.

In The Rings of Power’s second season finale, when Adar donned the elven ring, there was a noticeable transformation. To me, this change seemed like an overwhelming ordeal for him. Can you imagine what his initial feelings might have been during that moment?

Absolutely, I concur with your perspective. It seems to me that he likely underestimated Nenya’s abilities and characteristics. He probably believed that by wearing the ring, he could instantly enter Eregion with increased power and immediately defeat Sauron. However, his reaction suggests that he was taken aback and disoriented. Perhaps he envisioned a transformation back into his elven form, which was such a shocking experience that it left him momentarily stunned, causing him to withdraw.

If the Uruk perceived him as an elf, I believe they would conclude that his actions were not about protecting them, but rather a longing to return to being an elf. This question arises as to why he was negotiating with Galadriel; all those matters. The Uruk were already wary of his intentions, which were indeed genuine. However, it appears he yearns to be an elf once more. Unfortunately, that opportunity has passed. His goal has always been to safeguard his offspring. I don’t think they could accept him in that light. Thus, I believe he has left the scene.

He’s deeply engaged in his mission, but it seems beyond his capabilities. I sense a strong reluctance from him regarding confronting Sauron; he appears to believe that giving the ring to Galadriel and entrusting her with the task is the best course of action because, in my view, the task is simply too overwhelming for him. It’s a burden that he finds too heavy to bear.

Adar secretly being Celeborn on The Rings of Power, Galadriel’s missing husband was quite a popular fan theory. But I get the sense it was never considered by the series. But I hear you do archery and sing. So do you want to join me in starting the Sam as Celeborn propaganda?

Hazeldine: Yeah, let’s do that. That’s great.

Yes, let’s put it out there. I felt the chemistry between them was undeniable.

User: I appreciate your gratitude. You’re right about the TikTok video Morfydd Clark shared; it’s quite amusing, isn’t it? In fact, she seems to be quite active on there. Overall, it was a delightful find.

@saqphirc

Adar and Galadriel are experiencing a heated summer 💚 | #lotr #lordoftherings #thelordoftherings2 #ringsofpower2 #rings of power #Galadriel #editedGaladriel #MorfyddClark #editedMorfyddClark #Adar #editedAdar #SamHazeldine #editedSamHazeldine #Annatar #Sauron #Halbrand

♬ original sound – Sophie 💠

There seems to be an uncertain, possibly not entirely healthy dynamic developing between Galadriel and Adar. They both appear to respect each other deeply, yet there’s a cautiousness, a sense of exploration as they try to understand the nature of their relationship. It’s a delicate dance, one that could potentially lead to romance or conflict at any moment.

Is that not the best kind of romance?

Hazeldine: Hah! I’m going to forget you said that!

I found Adar’s death in The Rings of Power particularly heart-wrenching, as it seemed his final vision was that of his tormentor’s face after so much suffering. Can you speculate on what might happen to Adar in death? Do you think he would journey to the Halls of Mandos alongside other elves and eventually find himself in Valinor?

I believe so. It’s a thought that appeals to me. In my opinion, his actions suggest a strong sense of morality. I hope they would recognize this and understand that he acted for the greater good, not personal gain. Therefore, I think he deserves to visit Valinor and return afterwards.

Yes. Resurrection. We’re making it happen.

Hazeldine: Yeah, let’s do it. Maybe we can talk flashbacks, but I don’t think it’s likely.

Listen, elves resurrect. Who more than Adar deserves to return?

Hazeldine: Okay. That’s what I think. Yeah, I agree.

Watch the second season of “The Rings of Power,” featuring Sam Hazeldine’s performances as Adar, now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

As a dedicated gaming enthusiast, I (Rotem Rusak) serve as Editor-in-Chief at TopMob and am recognized globally as one of the foremost scholars of Adar. Ever since The Rings of Power debuted in 2022, I’ve been eagerly anticipating an opportunity to conduct an interview about this fascinating series.

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2024-10-04 00:33