Do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes memory on the set of Rings of Power?
There’s two. The first one in New Zealand. I do most of my own stunts. So, I loved the prospect of getting to do my own fight scenes and things like that. My first big memory is going into our training facility and learning how to sword fight, and the moment I was holding the sword — I can’t even explain it. From a physical aspect, I was a dancer before an actor, and I think it’s a big part of my success inside the New Zealand industry. So, it was a character that I felt like I could really make the most of and really shine. Just the fact that we were there swinging swords, I was like, “I’m right at home.”
The second part was actually being in costume. We were walking onto the Númenórean set, and they had made a massive ship, the one that we first see all the three best friends on. I remember coming out of the tent and just seeing it there with the blue screens behind it, realizing the scale of what I’ve just stepped into, and feeling a little bit of impostor syndrome because I didn’t know if I could live up to this moment in my career. Those were some pretty special moments for me.
BuzzFeed: Well, you certainly did live up to it! And you spoke about being a dancer before — I didn’t know that! Do you remember the first moment that you realized you wanted to make acting your career?
Yes, I do. I went to two high schools. My first high school, I didn’t do too well. Second high school, I ended up finding theater, and it wasn’t theater that I fell in love with. At first, I fell in love with the community, and that’s what kicked me in theater. And then I entered a high school competition where 20 students from all around New Zealand get the opportunity to travel over to the Globe Theater and perform Shakespeare on stage. It was The Winter’s Tale. And I remember sitting outside of the Globe Theater with my friends, and we were just sitting, watching the water flow past in the Thames, and I remember saying to myself that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Credit: buzzfeed.com
