Rings of Power Cast Interview: Benjamin Walker

[@annafdd]

I have such an admiration for how thoughtful and passionate this man is.

[@HBblazas]

Agreed. I wish he had played Faramir in the Jackson films and not let them ruin one of the greatest characters

[@the_real_littlepinkhousefly]

This was fantastic. He clearly knows his lore, is able to talk about it, is excited about it ... what more could you want in a Tolkien-adaptation actor? Thanks to Ben and thanks to Corey and Maggie for putting this together and sharing it with us. Gaaaa, I can't wait for more!

[@tenorune]

It's so cool to hear how much thought and care goes into his performance. And love how funny he is

[@mrs.manrique7411]

This is what we’ve wanted, and have finally gotten. Lore deep dives and thinking about how the elves felt and reacted to what was happening. And Walker is da king! 🤴

[@davidbeer5015]

All hail High King Gil-Galad

[@mrs.manrique7411]

@53:35 “Careful” got me cracking up, especially knowing Signum U’s beautiful crawl through LoTR

[@faeriechylde]

Wow, this is one of the best actor interviews I’ve ever seen. Ben Walker knows his stuff, and I love how happy he clearly is to be part of this project. He drops a lot of great wisdom about the characters and what their role is in the show’s interpretation of Middle Earth, but also how that relates to the original lore and how it relates to real life! Wow! There were times I wanted to shout “Amen”! 😆 This was great.

[@smokydesperado]

he's so charismatic, can't wait to see more of gil galad in future seasons. war of last alliance is gonna hurt so bad

[@Jessy_Silva9]

yes

[@annecarter5181]

What a completely enjoyable interview. This man really becomes “Gil-galad”!!

[@therevelers6581]

An absolutely lovely interview and discussion. Thank you Corey and Maggie for being so positively engaged in creating and cultivating these spaces. Ben's knowledge and clear love of Tolkien's work is a treat and illuminated some really fun new insights about the show and his portrayal of Gil Galad's character!

[@cealene]

This is seriously one of the best interviews I’ve spent my time and attention on.

[@TomOnTheTube]

Really enjoyed that interview. Clearly the guy is really doing his utmost to make Gil Galad as close to the books as possible and he just comes across as a really nice guy. I could have watched hours of him.

[@clipdown4514]

Absolutely love the type of depth and thoughtfulness Corey and Maggie always bring to Rings and Realms and that Ben Walker matches in this LOVELY conversation!

[@janmoetting1571]

Thank you for your content and all your positivity and enthusiasm, Maggie and Corey! Great to have voices of actors from the project. Props to Walker

[@Linda-z1i5m]

This channel has meant so much to me. This is the depth of discussion I truly appreciate in a Tolkien adaption like this. To me Rings and Realms should be known to everyone who watches The Rings of Power. Thank you so much for your videos. This interview is fantastic. Can't wait for more!

[@TheSDC81]

OMG Thank you all. That was excellent. Benjamin Walker is the King.

[@Heat3YT2]

Ben Walker is a lore master himself. Very enjoyable interview!

[@68mlk]

I've enjoyed this interview so much. Corey and Maggie ask good questions, and Ben's answers are so insightful. His thoughts make me love the character even more.

[@lindyluartstudio]

I agree!!

[@oenchanteddoveart6294]

I honestly think he's one of the strongest Elven Kings on screen so far. He just has that distinct kingliness and dignity in how to holds himself. It's going to suck so much when that particular moment in Mordor will happen. Absolute legend!

[@yellow_sedai]

He acts so well with his eyes as Gil-galad. Such skill and sensitivity. Great interview.

[@ResevoirGleams]

What a great interview! My favorite character is clearly in good hands - love the care and attention he is giving Gil-Galad even given limitations in rights and screen-time. Cannot WAIT to see him interact with Elendil, those two actors together vibing is just gonna be fire. Thanks so much for putting this on Corey and Maggie!

[@Halafas]

What a fantastic interview! and how eloquent and thoughtful is Benjamin Walker? Very impressed.

[@ChasingTheEchoesOG]

I was watching the extras from Prime and Ben really sang the song himself. What a talent this man is. I swear shed few tears during that song. It was beautiful.

[@Obbymauler59]

Loved hearing from Benjamin and how much passion he has both for the show and for Tolkien’s work.

[@JyrkiS]

Awesome deep-dive with Ben here, this is content I love to watch. It is evident how much people behind The Rings of Power care about Tolkien and the background of these characters and all actions have a reason, even if only in the actors' minds. Even the changes in lore are calculated and not done willy-nilly. I hope you get Owain Arthur, I would love to hear about the dwarven perspective so to speak.

[@geir8849]

Lovely interview. I really came around enjoying Gil-Galad in season 2. The ending when he raises the sword on the hills of Rivendell was so good. Goosebumps.

[@hopewilliard6781]

Regal and charismatic indeed. Thank you for this wonderful conversation!

[@nreed17]

This was great! And Tolkien never stated the absence of brass knuckles so Gil-Galad will now have brass knuckles in my mind 😂

[@emilygreisz]

I wish this kind of content had been available when I was 13 and getting into Tolkien, but I am so happy to have it now! Please do more interviews with him!

[@racheloreskovich7940]

I just love the depth of thought and discussion in this interview and in his portrayal of Gil-Galad. Really great interview!

[@markhughes7180]

Wow fantastic stuff here from the High King. To all the doubters I say listen up. His knowledge and passion is evident from the off, and he's nothing like his character at all ! I think this really helps nail Gil Galads mindset for me. Superb

[@Albusowner]

Fantastic interview. I particularly liked the acknowledgement of the age gap between Gil-Galad & Galadriel, but how he still holds authority over her. I would love to see it mentioned in the show as I saw some viewers complaining that it didn't make sense. Our leaders are not always older than us.

[@diomedea6771]

Thank you so much for this wonderful conversation! I very much enjoyed the increased number of Gil-galad scenes in S2, and hope that trajectory continues in later seasons. Thank you particularly for spending so much time addressing his relationships with Elrond and Galadriel. In a way, the High King is perhaps best known through his most famous agents, his interactions with them have certainly made for very interesting story-telling in S2. Eglerio, Mr. Walker for your wonderful performance! And for your song!

[@ph.stolensky2385]

Wow, what a blast! Ben Walker is a gem and know his lore and I'm happy I found this channel ❤

[@Ms.Murchison]

That was so interesting to learn more about what Walker's thinking about as he's crafting his approach to Gil-galad. Thanks to everybody involved for bringing it to us!

[@sirreginald2013]

Awesome job! Love the length of these interviews! Bravo to all on a fantastic Season 2.

[@nemoandthewhale]

I could listen to him talk for hours...Such a great orator ! His passion for the lore is so refreshing Excellent questions

[@atticmuse3749]

Great interview, really enjoyed hearing his takes on Gil-galad. Excited for your Episode 8 analysis!

[@KTandT]

I loved this interview! I tell everyone I know about Rings and Realms because it deserves to be seen by everyone interested in the show!

[@lindyluartstudio]

Wow, wonderful interview! It was delightful listening to Ben and see him open up once he realized how serious this channel is about ROP 🙌 I wish we could have heard a little about his awesome fighting scenes, though. Next time!

[@SirJacarandaBoreal]

Amazing interview ❤ Ben is amazing. We are very lucky to have him as Gil Galad. So much insight❤

[@extracheddar]

What a lovely interview with great insightful questions and answers! Love Benjamin Walker! Thanks Corey and Maggie

[@nigelm5539]

As always, thank you for the amazing content. Great interview and here's hoping there's more interviews to come!

[@kaltlicht]

Listening to the thoughts of the actors themselves is invaluable, very pleased to see the depth of Benjamin Walker's knowledge of the lore!

[@aresaurelian]

This was beautiful, and poetic. Thank you.

[@PrettyTigerlilly]

This is lovely, what a wonderful interview, thank you so much. He has a beautiful voice!

[@andreamiller3578]

Great discussion! I loved hearing his vision and knowledge of his character. I'm impressed at the genuine thoughtfulness in his answers.

[@Dr_Bombay]

Such a great interview -- I am so impressed with how much thought he put into his character, and it shows on screen.

[@dusicababic7828]

Such an amazing interview, you can tell he is really passionate about his character

[@faith9338]

Love his interpretation of GilGalad as big dad energy ❤

[@havanac79]

Wonderful interview. Benjamin clearly embodies his character and puts a lot of thought an energy into this role. It was good to see him get more screen time this season. His voice was beautiful!

[@DavidRoberts]

I like how Ben compared Lindsey Weber's role as Exec Producer to the High King, in that there are unpopular decisions that have to be made for external reasons despite the artistic ideas and plans. There are many things about this show that people find grating that I believe come down to the sheer fact it's such a large-scale project, sometimes things just happen and there's not enough wiggle room to fix them (like eg, light going on a location shoot that can't be done again tomorrow, when something random messes up the last possible take of the day).

[@mamadoritos]

I can't believe just how much into lore this guy is. This conversation is pure gold, is more than just an actor talking about his cool Elf role. Benjamin seems to actually love the source material, and I respect him so much for it - even if I think the show kinda murdered GG's portrayal lol.

[@MrZurbagiu]

very interesting interview, thanks guys! i couldn't quite understand gil-galad in the show until the very last episode where we see him join the battle for real and dirty himself and sort of.. come down to earth. reveal another another side to himself. and there you can see he really is a dad figure. i guess tired and dirty after a battle looks very good on him? 😳

[@ByronBohte]

Loved the interview, definitely want to see more! Would be great to see the directors/producers as well!

[@TheVandrare]

Thank you for this unexpected but delightful birthday present. Ben is such a gem, so cool of you to get him :3

[@CassandraHouse]

I could watch Ben all day. He’s absolutely fantastic

[@annafdd]

Great to have you back!

[@TCRP117]

Great to have Ben back, really enjoyed your interview with him for the Twitter show during season 1. Looking forward to this.

[@zonedoutt6962]

Fantastic interview. Hope we see more of Gil-Galad next season.

[@danieldunbar2956]

More interviews like this!

[@teawithtolkien]

Love this. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@newonlinetheatren.o.t1339]

What a fantastic interview. Gil-Galad is in good hands.

[@colbyfromage]

Absolutely loved every second of this!

[@jimmypaterson478]

Yall big timing now! I'm kinda hoping you get all the actors on the show.

[@ICONmachines]

thank you for interviewing OUR KING!

[@MKtheRiverLady]

Ben's eyes welling up at the end... omg. As an actor I totally get it!

[@antonellamR2D2]

Wonderful actor, well done

[@Max1990Power]

Thanks, this sas really interesting and nice to hear the perspective of Walker:)

[@WhoIsCalli]

This was simply terrific. Thank you Ben so much for this interview 🧝‍♂️

[@JDNization]

Had no idea he was American. I can't get over how good of a Joel he would have made in The Last of Us.

[@adb9231]

How very interesting. Thank you all

[@FromTheHipp]

this is too sick. good job guys.

[@NeilTarling-p6g]

His sword was long! His lance was keen!

[@loribenton5975]

Ha. I broke into singing that (the version from the BBC radio adaptation) as soon as this was over.

[@BlueaxeReproductions]

Wonderful discussion folks, thank you!

[@m.i.n.k.y.m.o.o.]

Such a rich interview. Lovely man ❤

[@joerivera6011]

Great Interview 😃👍🏼

[@imagomonkei]

I love Gil-galad in the show and hope he takes center stage in season 3. Walker obviously cares deeply about this role and the lore, and he's a spitting image of the actor who played Gil-galad in the intro to _The Fellowship of the Ring_ (which I sincerely hope will get brought back in a definitive edition for the 30th anniversary).

[@qcrew2938]

Season 2 was better than one so I'm hoping the show will keep getting better as it progresses.. I'm really enjoying it!

[@andreguia1731]

yeah I'm looking forward to season three hot steamy sex between elrond and Durin.

[@rukiasbankaii]

LOVE BEN WALKER couldn’t wish for a better Gil-galad!

[@Theflowergeekcrafts]

Can Ben get a segment on the show? He’s great. I love hearing him talk about the lore.

[@kud_dukan]

Awesome!!

[@giano3715]

woah! Gil-Galad!

[@goordam9917]

Ben is a perfect Gil-Galad

[@Ed__Powell]

Gil Ga-Daddy!

[@Wha162]

Cannot wait to see Gil-Galad, High King of the Noldor and Elendil, Lord of the Andúnië lead their nations against The Lord of the Rings in the last alliance of men and elves

[@schwalleyf]

Sorry to bug you. When are you coming out with your video for 8th episode season 2 rings of power?

[@Chessxx1]

I will always say , the actors are great , they are doing the best they can.

[@davidarchibald3464]

Terrific interview! Are we going to get a final epidode discussion?

[@rumpelstilzchen2796]

'It's good to be the king!" Mel Brooks

[@marcusf9009]

I'm so confused, where is the episode 8 analysis and reaction vid? Why isn't it mentioned here or anywhere else why we haven't got it yet? There was an instant vid about the kiss, FFS lol

[@TomOnTheTube]

They are taking a long time certainly and it's getting a bit excessive. Maggie has been in the comments saying that they recorded 16 hours of material for the end of season 2 retrospective and that the episode 8 material has had to be split into two parts. Would be nice if they could give us an ETA though, as Corey said it would take "a couple more days" than usual and it's been over two weeks now.

[@laurenmuser7551]

9:52 love this interview and this show so much! But hearing things like the king knew there was evil rising but couldn’t articulate it exactly but then saying y’all just have to trust me right after he says that now we are caught off guard and Galadriel didn’t help that so now we have to do anything it takes to save us and stop this evil …. Didn’t Gil-galid and Elrond straight up exile Galadriel after telling them that Sauron was still out there?

[@danielpiekut]

Will there be video about episode 8?

[@TheJmack90]

Good episode

[@brittaneycourchesne2238]

Is the season finale episode coming out soon? :)

[@Arabong168]

What happened to episode 8 review?

[@davidbeer5015]

I believe it is still on the way. They had initially filmed this interview as a part of the episode 7 R&R, but had to cut it due to discussing episode 8 stuff.

[@George19712]

Good question.

[@MaggieParkeSignum]

It's coming...it's LONG. So it'll come out in two parts :)

[@Arabong168]

@@MaggieParkeSignum I bet half of the delay is for these epic intro's

[@jiggidyjoshua]

Did we get an episode on the last episode and the season as a whole?

[@jj48]

Not yet. I believe they're still working on it.

[@MaggieParkeSignum]

It's coming...it's LONG. So it'll come out in two parts :)

[@PacificEgg]

But where's the Finale breakdown?

[@the_real_littlepinkhousefly]

Patience...they'll get it up. Lots to put in.

[@PacificEgg]

@@the_real_littlepinkhousefly XD I've been waiting an age XD I'm just excited

[@the_real_littlepinkhousefly]

@@PacificEgg Oh, I don't blame you! Me, too. I bet it will be worth the wait. ^_^

[@MaggieParkeSignum]

It's coming...it's LONG. So it'll come out in two parts :)

[@travisspazz1624]

Did I miss episode 8?!

[@nickpalazzo6585]

Not out yet.

[@MaggieParkeSignum]

It's coming...it's LONG. So it'll come out in two parts :)

[@eduleal]

Still no analysis of episode 8? I appreciate how sophisticated these are, but at this day and age not getting the review out 2 weeks later is missing the boat.

[@Tar-Elenion]

Walker (ca. 32: 10): _>"we didn't have time for a read through of some episodes"

[@DavidRoberts]

So he set up a time on the weekend so they could?

[@Jehphg]

​@@DavidRoberts thank you!

[@eduleal]

No eps 8 review? The timelines are a bit out of line with 2024.

[@MaggieParkeSignum]

It's coming...it's LONG. So it'll come out in two parts :) And we spent the weekend filming 16 hours of content for the retrospective so you have a lot MORE to come!

[@eduleal]

@@MaggieParkeSignum that’s all cool and appreciate all the work that goes into these, it’s just that In today’s world, I fear episode 8 will be old news when it comes out.