ENTER THE VILLAIN

Australian hottie Charlie Vickers has become an international sensation, thanks to his interpretation of Sauron from The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power series. Tanzim Pardiwalla notes down his charm as well as modesty

Charlie Vickers is a trained actor from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London but all his training couldn't save him from feeling gobsmacked as he reflects on the lasting impact of portraying one of Middle-Earth's most complex characters. In 2020, the good-looking Australian actor stepped into the role of the enigmatic Halbrand in The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, set in the Second Age of Middle-Earth. At that time, he had no inkling that his character would evolve into Sauron, one of the greatest villains in fantasy literature. While Sauron is represented as a giant eye in JRR Tolkien's books and in the Peter Jackson movies, Vickers' smouldering looks earned him the nickname "Sexy Sauron," a label he finds both amusing and flattering. As he returns for the second season of the show, directed by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, the actor has adopted a new look to embody the rising Dark Lord. In an engaging chat, the actor gleefully shared his thoughts on returning to Middle-earth, his rising popularity and the journey ahead.

HAVE YOU COME TO TERMS WITH THE FACT THAT YOU'RE PLAYING THE MOST ICONIC CHARACTER IN PERHAPS THE MOST LAVISHLY MOUNTED SHOW IN THE WORLD?

Sometimes I'm just washing the dishes at home and it hits me. It's unnerving, unbelievable and one of the most humbling experiences of my life. You are right, I've yet to fully come to terms with it. I'm most grateful for the love and appreciation coming my way. And I'm ever so glad that people have taken to The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power in such a big way.

WHEN YOU FIRST JOINED THE PROJECT, YOU WEREN'T AWARE YOU'D BE PLAYING SAURON? TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY SINCE THEN

When I first joined the project, I had no idea I was playing Sauron.

Since then, my journey with this character has changed immensely.