In Season 2 of Rings of Power, one of its primary characters, Adar, was reimagined as the “father”of the Orcs who had managed to defeat Sauron at the beginning of the Second Age.
Despite Adar’s repeated assurances that he was not the Dark Lord, many viewers initially suspected that he may have been Sauron in disguise when he was first introduced.
In the beginning of Rings of Power Season 2, we meet the new Adar, played by Sam Hazeldine who took over the role after Joseph Mawle’s departure from the series.
Despite parting ways, there is no animosity between the current actor and his predecessor. In a statement, the previous actor expressed his fondness for his time delving into Tolkien’s mythology and exploring Middle-earth.
“I feel incredibly grateful that the audience enjoyed the character. He was truly invested in sharing his story with you. As an actor, it is my role to constantly seek new characters and environments to explore. I wish nothing but success to the cast and crew for Season 2, and I will be supporting you from the sidelines.”
Despite some slight differences, Hazeldine’s portrayal exudes confidence and lacks the melancholic tone of the previous portrayal. While many fans have warmly embraced him, there is still ongoing discussion about which performance is favored.
According to one user on Reddit, Hazeldine’s portrayal of Adar is strong, victorious, and confident. They also mentioned that he appears more “sober”compared to Mawle’s Adar, which makes him a great leader figure. Another user agreed, stating that Hazeldine’s Adar has a more “fatherly”quality and shares great chemistry with Charlie Vickers, who plays Sauron, resulting in well-executed scenes.
“I definitely lean towards Hazeldine, to be completely honest. Mawle’s Adar wasn’t bad, but his constant sadness made him come across as too unpredictable for my liking. He brought to mind characters like Colonel Kurtz from Apocalypse Now,”one viewer remarked. Another added, “I love how Hazeldine’s Adar has these intense moments where he gets this piercing gaze that adds depth to the character.”
Despite this, there are some who miss Mawle’s more somber portrayal of Adar. One user praised the star, stating, “Mawle’s performance had an unmatched tragic and fallen angel quality to it. His mannerisms and scenes were often filled with either a hint or complete sense of sorrow.”
Another viewer commented that Mawle’s Adar was their favorite character in the show, noting the depth in his acting that made him almost relatable. They also mentioned that he was the only character they truly cared about.
“Although Sam Hazeldine is doing a fantastic job, I believe Joseph Mawle has a slight edge in terms of performance and appearance for the role.”
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