Is the enigmatic life of Charlie Vickers as captivating as his portrayal of Sauron in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power"? The truth is, the actor's journey, from Melbourne roots to the global stage, is a compelling narrative in itself, mirroring the depth and complexity of the characters he embodies.

The path to becoming Sauron was not a straightforward one for Charlie Vickers. He recounts the audition process with a certain degree of humility, mentioning "maybe six or seven auditions," before being presented with two challenging monologues at the final stage. Among these, a monologue from "Richard III" stood out, hinting at the darkness and complexities that would later define his portrayal of the Dark Lord.

Vickers' role in "The Rings of Power" has undoubtedly propelled him into the spotlight. He plays the pivotal role of Sauron, a character central to the narrative of the series. But, how much do we really know about the man behind the mask, the Australian actor who brought the embodiment of evil to life? The following table gives more details of this talented actor.

Category	Details
Full Name	Charlie Vickers
Date of Birth	October 24, 1992
Place of Birth	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Spouse	Georgie Oulton
Education	RMIT University (Arts degree)
Occupation	Actor
Known For	"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," "Medici," "Death in Shoreditch"
Character in Rings of Power	Halbrand / Sauron
Other Notable Roles	Annatar (Sauron's Annatar Form)
Interesting Fact	Didn't know he was playing Sauron until filming the third episode.
Physical Preparation	Took a five-day trip to Tongariro National Park, New Zealand, and learned freediving for underwater scenes.
Source	IMDB

The production of "The Rings of Power" was an immersive experience for Vickers. He wasn't informed he would be playing Sauron until the third episode of the series. To further immerse himself in the character, he embarked on a five-day excursion to Tongariro National Park in New Zealand. He also learned freediving for the underwater scenes.

The depth of the material in "The Rings of Power" presented a unique challenge. Vickers noted, "\u201cthe nature of the material is really challenging, and that will forever be the case, because it is such complex, deep material, and doing it justice is a real challenge." This reveals the actor's commitment to portraying Sauron with accuracy and reverence to J.R.R. Tolkien's work.

The narrative of "The Rings of Power" is filled with interwoven destinies. The series brings together unlikely allies: Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) and Adar (Sam Hazeldine) are compelled to fight against Sauron, Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) faces the difficult task of defending his realm. The complexities of these relationships showcase the layered storytelling that defines the show.

Season 2 of "The Rings of Power" promises a vastly different Sauron. This transformation is a testament to the series' dedication to the character's evolution. It's a sinister turn, making the audience wonder what other changes Sauron will take in this story.

Vickers' role in season 1 was as Halbrand, and, as audiences learned, a deceptive guise for the Dark Lord. The reveal was a carefully constructed plot twist, adding layers of intrigue to his character. Even the line, "\u201clooks can be deceiving,\u201d was a hint, a foreshadowing that even Vickers wasn't entirely aware of during filming.

Although much of the public's interest is about the role of Halbrand, the actor's training and interest go much beyond that. He studied at the RMIT University, located in Melbourne. He also performed in amateur theatre productions, which gave him an understanding of the storytelling.

The filming of "The Rings of Power" was as challenging as it was rewarding. The actors spent an extensive amount of time in the water. Vickers revealed, "We were in that water for two months, it felt like." These experiences bonded the cast, including a lot of time bonding on a raft while filming."

While the actor has a background in theatre, his work in film and television is also notable. He's also credited with roles in "Medici" (2016) and "Death in Shoreditch."

Before Season 2's premiere, there was anticipation and speculation about how the role would be handled. Jack Lowden was revealed to be playing Sauron, showing that the production planned a complex interpretation of the character.

In the portrayal of evil, Vickers found inspiration from Tolkien's writing. He used his own performance to invoke the nuances of the Dark Lord. "The nature of the material is really challenging," he said, highlighting the magnitude of bringing such a character to life.

The premiere of season two of "The Rings of Power" at BFI Southbank on August 2024, was attended by Vickers. This premiere, presented by Prime Video, highlighted the scale and ambition of the series.

Vickers' journey to acting started in St Kilda, a suburb of Melbourne. He grew up in Geelong. This journey is reflected in the roles he has accepted, showcasing a range of styles.

Charlie Vickers' portrayal of Sauron in season 2 will have many questions to be answered, and his interpretation is poised to have a lasting effect.