Amazon's Rings of Power finished its first season as one of the most watched television series of the year, accruing billions of minutes watched. Whether new or veteran talent, the actors involved are well on their way to being household names if the series maintains its current popularity.
However, that doesn't mean the cast are complete novices. Most of them have played key roles across the big and small screens and have careers that have lasted decades. While many of them have found success in comedy or dramatic roles, a handful of them have also previously played major parts in geek culture and genre fiction in television and films.
10 Robert Aramayo Played Young Ned Stark On Game of Thrones
Whatever complaints people have about Rings of Power, Robert Aramayo's portrayal of a young Elrond Half-Elven hasn't been one of them. His relationship with his friend Durin IV and their time within Khazad-dûm is one of the bright spots of the series. Watching him weigh the fate of the elves versus his friend's trust makes his story all the more compelling.
But before Aramayo was part of Rings of Power, he was in Game Of Thrones as a young Ned Stark for several episodes in the latter half of the series. He also played a major part of the Netflix series Behind Her Eyes as the key character Rob Hoyle.
9 Benjamin Walker Was Erik Gelden On Jessica Jones
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Gil-galad doesn't get to do as much in the series as most of the other Rings of Power characters. As the High King of the Elves, his appearances are mostly restricted to bossing the other elves around. His main goal in season one is stopping the elves from waning away, lest they be forced to return to Valinor. But Benjamin Walker actually has a nearly 20-year career appearing on the stage, in film, and on television.
One of Walker's most noteworthy roles within the world of genre television was as Jessica Jones' love interest Erik Gelden, in the show's third and final season. However, he's been in serious films like Flags of Our Fathers and comedies like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, too.
8 Charles Edwards Portrayed Sir Martin Charteris In The Crown
Celebrimbor is one of the most well-known characters in the series, thanks to his role within the Shadow of Mordor series as Talion's partner. The elf responsible for creating all the rings alongside Sauron himself, Celebrimbor's role in the Second Age resonates for thousands of years.
Though his moments in season one are slim, he's certain to make plenty of appearances in future seasons. An actor with thirty years of experience, Charles Edwards has done a fantastic job bringing the Elven smith to life. Fans of the series Downton Abbey will remember Edwards as magazine editor Michael Gregson. Meanwhile, fans of the Netflix series The Crown might know him as Sir Martin Charteris, or Queen Elizabeth II's secretary.
7 Lloyd Owen Was Nathan Walker In The Film Apollo 18
Within the Rings of Power, Elendil is one of the few Numenoreans who doesn't immediately come off as completely unlikeable. He saves Galadriel and Halbrand from drowning at sea, which eventually leads them all into Middle-earth to protect the Southlands.
Actor Lloyd Owen brings Elendil to life, showing both his nobility and the pain that comes with some of the decisions he's forced to make. With decades worth of roles, fans have likely seen him in plenty of series in the past. But most notably would be his time as Indiana Jones' dad in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and Nathan Walker in the sci-fi film Apollo 18.
6 Charlie Vickers Was In The Comedy-Drama Film Palm Beach
Charlie Vickers' role as Halbrand was convincing enough that only eagle-eyed fans might have realized he was actually the main villain of the series, the elusive shape-shifter Sauron. For much of the series, he pretends to be the King of the Southlands, a title that is technically true, given Sauron ruled over the people there at one point. As Halbrand, he's likable enough to be unassuming, a reminder that despots are often charismatic.
Vickers is a relatively new actor, having previously appeared in the comedy film Palm Beach in 2019. Before that, he played Guglielmo Pazzi in the historical drama Medici. It's a short but distinguished filmography.
5 Nazanin Boniadi Was Nora On How I Met Your Mother
Though the fate of the Southlands is a key part of Rings of Power, it doesn't get many viewpoint characters. That makes Nazanin Boniadi's role as Bronwyn all the more important, as she learns to be a much-needed leader for the overlooked people of the Southlands.
Boniadi has been in a host of acting roles over an impressive, nearly 20-year career. She got her start on the long-running soap opera General Hospital as the nurse Leyla Mir. Fans of How I Met Your Mother, on the other hand, might better recognize her as Nora, Barney Stinson's laser tag partner and one of his few serious romantic partners.
4 Ismael Cruz Cordova Appeared As Qin On The Mandalorian
Arondir is one of the few elves responsible for watching over the Southlands. He finds himself pulled into a deeper, darker world than he could've ever imagined. His romance with Bronwyn and his quest to keep the remaining citizens of the Southlands safe is one of the story's driving plot lines.
Actor Ismael Cruz Cordova has been in a handful of roles before this, most notably as Rafael Torres in the series Berlin Station. But hardcore Star Wars fans might recognize him from one of Disney+'s best series, The Mandalorian, as Qin, the Twi'lek prisoner The Mandalorian saved from a New Republic prison ship.
3 Morfydd Clark Was Mina Harker In Dracula
Morfydd Clark's interpretation of Galadriel is a long way off from the version of the character fans saw in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy. However, it is a bit more in line with the Noldor elves of the First Age, who left Valinor to battle against Morgoth.
Clark has done a great job bringing this driven version of Galadriel to life, but this isn't her first major role on television. Previously, she played the character Sister Clara for the BBC series His Dark Materials and Mina Harker for BBC's Dracula miniseries.
2 Joseph Mawle Was Jedidiah Shine on Ripper Street
Joseph Mawle's Adar was created for Rings of Power, but he's also the most compelling character in the show. Though he's meant to be a ruthless leader for the orcs, his ruthlessness only extends to enemies who've treated his people unkindly. The orcs worship him for protecting them from Sauron's experiments. Though there's a harsh edge to the character, his focus has only ever been on finding a place for the orcs to belong.
Mawle's been in multiple films, shows, and plays over his career. Some might recognize him from his time alongside Benjamin Walker in the film Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Others might see remember him as Benjen Stark from Game of Thrones, or even Detective Jedidiah Shine from BBC's Ripper Street series.
1 Cynthia Addai-Robinson Played Amanda Waller On Arrow
Tar-Mariel has the challenging task of being the Queen of Numenor during a rocky period in Numenorean history. Not only must she protect her throne from would-be usurpers, but she must also discern the path to keep Numenor itself from being destroyed by a dangerous prophecy.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson's job as Tar-Miriel has been perfect, toeing the line between the harsh and compassionate sides often required of a leader. She's been in multiple roles in the past, including Naevia in Spartacus and Ramona Garrity in Power. Superhero fans will best recognize her as the one and only Amanda Waller on Arrow, responsible for giving Oliver many of his missions before he could return to Star City.