Charles Edwards Officially Announced as Portraying Celebrimbor

One of the most important figures of the Second Age is the Elf known as Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor was one of the Ñoldor Elves, and (in most versions of the story) a descendant of Fëanor. Like his famous grandfather Fëanor, Celebrimbor (whose name means “Silver Fist” in Sindarin) was a highly skilled craftsman. When the Firebeard and Broadbeam Dwarves of the Blue Mountains (on the eastern border of the Elven kingdom of Lindon) left their ruined dwellings following the War of Wrath that ended the First Age, they made their way to the magnificent realm of their Longbeard cousins in Khazad-dûm, later to be more commonly known by the Elvish name of Moria. Khazad-dûm, located in the Misty Mountains, was one of the few sources of the precious metal mithril. Drawn by the lure of mithril, Celebrimbor and other Elves of Lindon (largely Ñoldor), established a new realm next door to Khazad-dûm, which was called Eregion (perhaps better known as “Hollin” in The Lord of the Rings), of which Celebrimbor became lord. In The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo and company pass through Hollin on their way to Caradhras, and then Moria. As they discover the Doors of Durin at the West Gate of Moria, Gandalf comments that they were made in “happier days, when there was still close friendship at times between folk of different race, even between Dwarves and Elves.”

The Doors of Durin were made by the Dwarf Narvi, and the inscription carved by the Elf Celebrimbor. The “Durin” referred to was presumably either Durin II or Durin III. Durin III and Narvi are about the only Dwarves of the Second Age about whom anything is known, and Celebrimbor and Narvi were said to have been great friends. In The Rings of Power Durin III is played by Peter Mullan. Whether Narvi is a character in the series is as yet unknown. Celebrimbor, on the other hand, has long been rumored, and now confirmed, to be in the series, played by Charles Edwards. Tom Budge was previously cast in a role, believed to be the role of Celebrimbor, and was then replaced, apparently by Charles Edwards. The exact reason for his replacement is unknown, but for whatever reason Amazon Studios decided he wasn’t working out. Celebrimbor is a vital figure because he crafted the Rings of Power (apart from the One Ring), and also because he had direct dealings with Sauron, a fact which will give his role plenty of dramatic potential. At age 52, Edwards would seem to bring experience and gravitas to the role, but he does seem rather old to be playing an immortal Elf. He is much older than Morfydd Clark, the actress playing Galadriel, his father’s first cousin. Then again, in the New Line Cinema films Elrond (Hugo Weaving) was quite a bit older than Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), his mother-in-law.

As with Elrond (Robert Aramayo) in this series, Celebrimbor has fairly short, light brownish hair. Celebrimbor was not really featured in the New Line Cinema films, or other film adaptations, but he is known to some fans from the Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War video games, where he is younger and has long, dark hair. Although both video games diverge much from Tolkien’s writings, Celebrimbor’s visual depiction in those games seems more in keeping with what most fans would expect of a grandson of Fëanor. Here Celebrimbor is wearing a green outfit. In the character posters released back in February, he is wearing a red, green, and gold outfit and holding a scroll. Although he is often depicted as a working metalsmith, Amazon seems to be presenting him as a rather studious man, perhaps one who preserves much obscure lore. In the new photograph a scroll may be seen behind him, and he is also holding a scroll in his character poster. Fan opinion appears to be divided on this Celebrimbor’s appearance, but ultimately it is his performance that matters, particularly for one with such a vital role in the Second Age.