The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power introduced television viewers to Queen Miriel, played by fan-favorite actress Cynthia Addai-Robinson. As ruler of the human kingdom of Númenor, Miriel personally led her army into battle against the Orcs of Middle Earth – only to be blinded by the surprise eruption of Mount Doom, which created the treacherous realm of Mordor. As The Rings of Power Season 2 prepares to debut on Prime Video. Míriel’s decision to lead her troops into a fiery disaster challenges her authority in Númenor.

In an interview with CBR, Addai-Robinson reveals the big moments of the first season of the hit Prime Video series. She also gives hints about what fans can expect when The Rings of Power Premiere of the second season. Outside the Lord of the rings Franchise, she talks about reprising her role in The Accountant 2 and talks about her other popular character: Amanda Waller in the Arrowverse.

CBR: One of the most moving scenes in The Rings of Power In season 1, Míriel lost her sight during the eruption of Mount Doom. What was it like playing that scene?

Cynthia Addai-Robinson:
It’s interesting because I think back to when I first started… I didn’t know what her story was going to be. Even though she’s a character from the lore, when we introduced her we didn’t necessarily base her solely on what was established in the lore.

When I sat down with the showrunners and they explained my task to me, it was a shock to me as I was telling the story that she was going to be blinded.
I knew this was going to be anchored in the story. I actually had to start shooting with those scenes. My first days of shooting were episode 7 of 8. It was a very interesting experience to start blindfolded even for my first day because I was still learning this character and understanding her to a certain extent.

But I started with what happened to her, and I still had to make sure that even though I was almost working backwards in some ways, I understood allegorically what this represents. In terms of the story, what it meant as a metaphor and what it means for her, how it’s going to affect her as she overcomes the challenges ahead but not let this be a setback. It’s a vulnerable thing, but in some ways she connects the dots because she looked into the Palantir and saw darkness. In addition to her seeing the giant wave, there’s an understanding that maybe this is preordained or predetermined. There’s a reason for it.

It’s about the intellectual understanding of what that means in the story, and I as an actor have to portray and convey what it means to lose your sight in such a violent and unfortunate way. On the other hand, you have to accept the situation. She still has to lead her people whether she’s blind or not.

Even after losing her sight in Mordor, Miriel remained graceful and poised as she led her army back to Númenor. How did you manage to maintain that core throughline for her character?

I have always thought that as a leader you have to present yourself both externally and internally. She knows that she cannot afford to show weakness. It is not her place to be honest when she is afraid or doubtful. She is not in a position to tell her people that she is in this position. She knows that how she presents herself as a leader is important. She knows that there are already rumors of people doubting her. There are people in Númenórean society who she has already sensed do not trust her as a leader, and yet she must lead those people whether they support her or not.

The interesting thing is that in Season 2, after that failed battle, when they return to Númenor, it’s even more tense. Now she’s led the Númenóreans into a losing battle and the people are angry.
She made a mistake, she followed the lead of the fairy Galadriel and brought people to their deaths. There were already people who doubted her before, and the rumblings became even louder after her return. After the death of the king, she is now ready to become the new ruler as queen.

One of the topics in The Rings of Power Season 2 is about consequences. How will this theme apply to Miriel’s story in the upcoming season?

I’m excited for people to go on the journey with Míriel. Ultimately, it’s about facing a challenge and coming out the other side of that challenge to find out who you really are. I like the idea that our most difficult times can reveal who we are. Sometimes that’s a bad thing and you’re evil personified. (Laughs.) Sometimes it’s facing a challenge and learning about yourself by using your own power when you may have had doubts.

In Tolkien you see many such characters. There is definitely this hero’s journey
and a journey of characters who face a series of trials, arrive at a place of triumph for having passed the trials, and achieve their greatness in that story arc and journey.

The Rings of Power Season 1 was filmed in New Zealand at the height of the COVID pandemic, while Season 2 moved to the UK ahead of the writers’ and actors’ strikes last year. How would you describe working during all this time?

I think it’s a really good fit. We’re on our own Tolkien journey and we’re triumphing over all these challenges. (laughs) When we moved to the UK we were really lucky. We were able to shoot almost everything before the strike officially started… I feel like when you’re working on a big fantasy series it’s easy to assume that you’re just going to be swallowed up by the scale. As a viewer you see the whole scope, the size and how extravagant it all is.

But to be honest, it can still often feel like a drama. It’s a scene where you and a few characters overcome a challenge or a moment and figure out what you’re going to do, and in doing so, share a truth that reveals something about the characters. In that sense, it’s not that far off from what I know a scene to be.
My focus is still on my character and her relationship with the characters around her. The rest is all the clothing around us.
It’s really about how these characters interact: what do they think of each other, what are they trying to get from each other, what are they trying to express to each other?

That’s what I focus on, but even when I watch it as an audience member, I think, “Wow, this is incredible!” I can’t believe I’m part of it and in the middle of it, because it doesn’t feel like that when I’m just focusing on my fellow actors.

Outside of The Rings of PowerYou will once again take on the role of Marybeth Medina in The Accountant 2. What was it like to reprise this character?

It was great! What felt like fate to me was that I had made the first film eight years ago and always knew there was more to tell. I just didn’t know when it would be time to tell the story and how I would be involved in it – if I was involved. I hoped so, of course, and Marybeth was dropped at an interesting point at the end of the first film. Somehow eight years have passed and in that time I have evolved, changed and gained experience. What fascinated me was playing a character who had probably evolved and changed in that time too.

Not only did I have a great time, but I finally got the chance to work with Ben (Affleck) and Jon (Bernthal) – because I didn’t get to work with them in the first film… That was the thing I was most excited about.
I was very happy that so many of the people who made the first film so great were back to continue the story – Bill Dubuque, our writer, Gavin O’Connor, our director, who I just love working with. I really had the best time working on this film.

My last day was so bittersweet because I was so happy and proud and excited, and I was so sad because I could have just kept working with these people and kept going. I’m excited to see how people see the sequel. You want to have a mystery that’s as satisfying as the first film, and I think we achieved that.

You’re part of the rare pantheon of Amanda Wallers’ live-action artists, which also includes Pam Grier, Angela Bassett and Viola Davis. How would you describe your role as Amanda Waller in the Arrowverse?

I wish someone could find an excuse to bring all the Amanda Wallers together because I have never met any of these actresses.
They are legends and to be in their company would be my dream. If anyone can find a reason to get all the Amanda Wallers together in one room, I thank them in advance.

It’s one of those opportunities and experiences that I didn’t necessarily understand the significance of when it came to me. I also didn’t know how long I would be doing it or if it was a one-time thing… I feel really fortunate for that special time and even for the creation of the Arrowverse. It felt like a really special era in television – to present
Arrow
And
The Flash
to have the crossovers. In some ways, it feels like the end of an era, and I’m eternally grateful that I got to be a part of it in my own small way. It kind of fell into my lap; I just grabbed it and got to have this wonderful experience.

People still come up to me from all over the world because these TV shows have such an incredible reach. I’ll be on vacation in some country and I’ll hear “Amanda Waller!” (laughs). It blows my mind when that happens because I think it’s so amazing to be part of something that’s so well known and broadcast all over the world. I’m really proud to have been able to play this character and join the pantheon of all these other incredible actresses.

Developed for television by JD Payne and Patrick McKay, the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will premiere on Prime Video on August 29, 2024.