 "EXCLUSIVE! Trystan Gravelle (Pharazôn) on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2")
Trystan Gravelle plays the role of Pharazôn in Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2. In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost’s Lachmi Deb Roy for ‘Not Just Bollywood’, Trystan Gravelle (Pharazôn) of Lord of The Rings mentions on how this epic saga reflects modern-day politics, his introduction to Tolkien, preparation for the role and more.
Edited excerpts from the interview with Trystan Gravelle in Singapore:
Tristan, you play a politician in LOTR . How much do you relate to today’s politics in real life politics and your role that you play?
There’s always parallels to draw. You could be at any time, you know, there’d be parallels I found fascinating. One about Pharazon, he’s a politician, but he’s also a philosopher, a sea captain. He’s a man of the people. There’s many things, you know, many sides and layers to his character.
What was your source of inspiration when you were preparing for this character?
Reading about classical leaders back in, you know, antiquity as well, something that really struck me. I read a book by Henry Kissinger and his experiences of dealing with the likes of Charles de Gaulle and Conrad Adenauer, Richard Nixon, Margaret Thatcher, and the impact that these very strong characters, very strong leaders, the first two in the aftermath of a large war in rebuilding their countries and the impact that they had on him because he was a strong character himself, you know, Henry Kissinger and Conrad Adno and Charles de Gaulle reading about sometimes, you know, the intimidation sometimes of going into a room and having to discuss matters with these people, that really struck and yes it really helped But, yes, it’s fascinating to dig into. Dig deep and delve into what makes people tick, I think.
How immersive did the role get?
Oh, it’s always immersive, I think it’s, you know, whatever role you portray, it’s total immersion, you know, and you want to bring people along for that ride. Once we step into our clothes and onto those sets or locations, it’s a 360 degree view of a place that feels very real to us. You know? I mean, when you’re in a world that you presumably should know as a character very intimately, it helps that as the actor, we just get to kind of look and touch and see and even smell, you know, full sensory exploration of places that feel very real to us. So I think for the audience, I think that very much comes across as well.
**Your introduction to
Tolkien
, what was it like?
**Magical. It was 2001. I would have been 20, and I went to see The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and it blew me away, and I went straight home. I did what I used to do as a child, and I was back visiting family in Wales, and I just went climbing trees, and then I saw a copy of the Hobbit that was on the shelf there, and I read that, and then I went down the rabbit hole then reading the books, and waited for the second film to come out and the third and the Hobbit. So, yea I have been a fan for 23 years then.
WATCH the trailer of Prime Video’s Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power Season 2 here:
Lachmi Deb Roy is the entertainment editor of Firtspost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes huge interest in world cinema. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until its a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too.