MANILA, Philippines — They say fans can make or break a show — or even a star. For these cast members of Prime Video’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” they believe that if you’re lucky enough to have a Pinoy fan, you’re set for life.
When The STAR attended the media junket in Singapore for the Asian premiere of the show’s second season, we were surprised by how Puerto Rican actor Ismael Cruz Córdova and Australian actor-singer Tyroe Muhafidin quickly turned our exclusive interview into an opportunity to discuss their Filipino fans.
In the new season of the show, set in Middle-earth’s Second Age — thousands of years before the events in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” — Ismael reprises his role as the elf-soldier Arondir. He becomes the protector of Tyroe’s character, Theo, after the latter’s mother — Arondir’s human lover, Bronwyn — fails to survive an orc attack in Season 1.
Even before starring in “The Rings of Power,” Ismael, whose previous TV roles included Mando in “Sesame Street” and Hector Campos in “Ray Donovan,” shared that Filipinos were among his “OG (original) fans” from the onset of his acting career.
“I’ve not yet been to the Philippines, but I have to,” he told this writer. “I have such, like, great Filipino friends. All my best friends are from the Philippines, so I have a lot of titas and lolas.
“Also, I have very good, very passionate fans from the Philippines. Every time I do a ‘live’ (on social media), they’re right there. And they go, ‘When are you coming? When are you coming?’
Puerto Rican actor Ismael Cruz Cordova.
“And remember Dayanara Torres?”
Of course, who doesn’t know the former Miss Universe, who endeared herself to local pageant fans and, for a time, pursued showbiz in the country?
“She’s from Puerto Rico,” Ismael continued. “I’m from Puerto Rico.”
“So, I mean, there are so many things that are calling me to the Philippines. I’m supposed to go there at the end of November for a wedding,” he said.
Tyroe, for his part, also revealed his Pinoy connection.
“I have so many friends from the Philippines. My very best friend is Filipino,” said the young actor listed in Variety’s 2022 Power of Young Hollywood.
“And I have so much love for you, guys. You have shown so much support. I’m super grateful for all the love you guys have for the show.”
Both then expressed why artists should feel fortunate if they have Pinoy fans.
Ismael said, “Listen, if anyone is lucky enough to have Filipino fans, you know, in their career…”
“Oh, yeah, they are fans!” Tyroe stressed.
“They are, like, the most supportive,” Ismael continued.
“They are full support,” Tyroe agreed.
Photos courtesy of Prime Video
Speaking of fans, they were asked about what it felt to be part of Tolkien’s world, which has such a devoted fan base.
According to Tyroe, it’s their source of motivation and inspiration. One of his more recent “close encounters” with the fandom was at the San Diego Comic Con.
“I had no idea how many people were there until the doors opened at the back, and it just went way further back. And there were just thousands of people in front of us cheering because they were so passionate about the project we’re doing,” he recalled.
“This is why we put in so much hard work and so much dedication into our craft because this is the devotion we get, this is the support we get, and we owe it to the fans,” Tyroe added.
Reflecting on the fandom as well, Ismael shared how it puts his character’s journey in Season 2 into perspective, particularly as he searches for his own purpose following the events of Season 1.
“Just to be a little more existential about it — leave it to me to do that — but same as the character, we’re all looking for purpose in life. I think that’s the human experience: ‘Why are we here?’ ‘What are we doing here?’ And to interact with such wonderful fans that are so devoted (makes that search meaningful).”
Personally, Ismael finds purpose in the show’s representation efforts through daring casting choices. For one, he’s the first actor of color to play an elf.
“Our presence in the show, specifically us that come from different parts of the world and look like different parts of the world. And we carry their flag on the set. It really feels like a good purpose and a good responsibility.”
Meanwhile, one of the things to watch out for this season — besides Arondir’s action scenes that could rival Legolas’ (note his epic entrance in Episode 3) — is how Arondir and Theo’s relationship will evolve.
“It’s like every family, but not quite,” said Ismael.
“But I think, give credit to this family that while we’re trying to figure each other out and how that dynamic is already challenging for anyone, we’ve gone to war. We fought the orcs. We fought darkness.
“He found an evil key that essentially made Mordor, you know,” he said, referring to how Theo unearthed an artifact connected to the Dark Lord Sauron, contributing to the creation of the latter’s stronghold.
“So, a lot of different challenges have been thrown at this family. We’re living these big lives at the same time, we’re trying to figure each other out.”
Tyroe further said, “We’re watching both Theo and Arondir, this season, figuring out their emotions and really letting themselves feel.
“I think that’s what this season is about for us, especially Theo. He is discovering himself, how he reacts to things, what his first response is to certain situations, and I think that the relationship between them definitely does grow.
“There’s definitely development. It might not all be positive. There might be moments of disdain. But the thing is to remember that there’s love there. There is real love, and it is pure. I just think it’s going to take time for them to really acknowledge it.”
(“The Rings of Power” Season 2’s four episodes are now streaming on Prime Video.)
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