The Lord of the Rings is one of fantasy's most important franchises. Arguably, without it, wider audiences may not have explored the genre more. Part of what makes the story so compelling is that the narrative isn't wholly reliant on one character. Instead, the story is an ensemble that follows multiple characters with their own arcs and moments that help them evolve. One example of this is Frodo's closest friend Samwise Gamgee. In the films, Sam is played by The Goonies actor Sean Astin. However, before the films hit theaters, famous BBC talk show host Graham Norton auditioned for the role.
Graham Norton is an Irish actor who is now best known for hosting his talk show, The Graham Norton Show. However, he has also appeared in films like Soul and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. But because of his magnetic personality, he has found his stride interacting with fellow actors on the inner workings of the industry and their personal experiences. Because of his high energy, making him a Hobbit would have likely seen him in the role of Pippin, but what makes Sam such an unexpected choice for the actor?
In The Lord of the Rings films and the books, Sam is a calm and level-headed Hobbit who prefers a simple life but is fiercely loyal. Unlike Merry and Pippin, Sam is more likely to volunteer to take on responsibility because he internally understands the weight of certain tasks. Because of these qualities, he remains with Frodo even as he reaches the mouth of Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. But of all of his qualities, Sam's most important is his perseverance in the face of adversity.
Throughout his and Frodo's journey, his companion often faced moments where his life was in danger or he was unable to complete his task. However, whenever this would happen, Sam was always there to give him the strength to keep going. Even in the last stretch to the volcano, Sam picked up his friend and carried him to his destiny. The moment shows that although Sam is no stranger to having fun, his core is someone who understands the weight of a situation and when to be serious. In comparison, it took Merry and Pippin almost the whole journey to understand this lesson.
Since Graham Norton is often considered a more comedic actor, it isn't easy to picture him as a character as focused as Sam. But since he's an actor, the opportunity could have changed his career trajectory forever. But even if his path remained the same after auditioning for the role, audiences would be able to see just how far his range could go and the chemistry he would share with the other cast.
Samwise Gamgee has since been made famous by Astin's portrayal, but the search for Hobbits far and wide has opened up doors for not only him but other actors who would later fill the roles of these characters. Whether or not Graham Norton's inclusion in the franchise will never be known, it shows Norton's persistence to try out for the role against all odds. As a result, even though he didn't join the cast, his perseverance to try despite the possibility of failure mirrors Sam's own inner strength.