As anticipation builds for the return of The Rings of Power, New Zealand actor Leon Wadham, who portrays Kemen in the series, gave us an inside look at how his character evolves and what fans can expect in Season 2. Reflecting on his experiences on set, Wadham offers an honest and engaging perspective on the challenges and triumphs of bringing Kemen to life in this epic series.
In Season 1, Kemen was primarily concerned with preserving his charmed life amidst the shifting power dynamics in Númenor. However, Season 2 sees a significant transformation in his character. “Kemen, in season one, was concerned with losing what he had,” Wadham explained. “He had a pretty charmed life… but now the balance of power has shifted. Suddenly, he’s hungry for it. He’s insatiable. He wants more respect, more responsibility. He wants a greater profile. He’s trying to get all of these things as quickly as possible with disastrous results.”
He’s trying to get all of these things as quickly as possible with disastrous results.
Kemen (left) and Chancellor Pharazôn (right).
This season promises a more ambitious Kemen, whose thirst for power leads him down a dangerous path. Fans can expect to see Kemen navigate the complexities of power and ambition with unexpected consequences.
Preparing for Kemen’s role in Season 2 brought new challenges for Wadham, especially in terms of physical preparation. Although he couldn’t reveal too much, he did share some insights. “There is some physical stuff coming up that involves a lot of training. I don’t think I can be too explicit about it yet.”
Wadham expressed his gratitude for his stunt double, Tom Cotton, who is also a Kiwi. “Thank God for him because there’s some stuff they asked me to do that I was not capable of,” he explained. “I’m going to hand over to the professional. Come back to me once I’m on the ground.”
One of the highlights of Season 2 for Wadham was reuniting with fellow New Zealand actor Alex Tarrant. “It was a really special season, but Alex Tarrant, who I was at drama school with, is in the show. So season 2 was the first time, and on the other side of the world, that my dear friend and brilliant actor got to share scenes with me.”
The production of The Rings of Power shifted from New Zealand to London for Season 2, a change that Wadham found both challenging and rewarding. “Season 2 was mostly shot in London. Production is based out of Windsor now.”
Despite the relocation, Wadham was pleased to see the craftsmanship of New Zealand’s creative team carried over. “What has been really heartening is to see all the work that New Zealand craftspeople did in season one come with to London. So the sets that were built in New Zealand, the costumes that were made in New Zealand.”
The new filming locations also allowed Wadham to explore more of Middle-earth. “What was fun this year was that I could sneak through a door and watch the elves do stuff, or I could go over to Buttersteep and watch people fight in the mud. I could actually slip into these other worlds that were not available to me in season 1.”
Reflecting on fan reactions, Wadham admits he tries to avoid reading too much feedback but appreciates the diverse opinions about Kemen. “All the fans I’ve met have been so lovely and so supportive… some people go, ‘What a charmer,’ and some people go, ‘What a smarmy little shit.'”
Wadham also shared how playing Kemen resonates with him personally. “Kemen allows me to explore a lot of things that I would never do in my real life. I’m always very concerned about how everyone else is going… Kemen is very clear on what he’s after, and he doesn’t necessarily concern himself with what that will mean for everybody else.”
Without giving too much away, Wadham hinted at the future direction of Kemen’s story. “I had a sense right from the beginning of where we were heading. And I will say that by the end of season 2, I’m in step with the predictions… there are so many things that we know are coming for all of these characters, and we still know when they’ll happen or how we’ll interact.”
Wadham reflected on the impact of being part of such a monumental project. “It is really exciting, really humbling, really heartening, to be part of something that means so much to so many people. When you’re an actor in New Zealand… if you haven’t been on Shortland Street, you don’t exist. It has been wild to be part of something that I grew up with.”
Wadham’s connection to Tolkien’s world runs deep, making his involvement in The Rings of Power even more meaningful. “I grew up in Wellington, Tolkien has been part of my life as long as I can remember… I’m always so moved by their passion and the joy they find in this stuff.”
As for what this experience means for his career, Wadham is taking it one step at a time. “I try not to think about it beyond just the work at hand. I’m just on the roller coaster.”
Season 2 of The Rings of Power is out now on Prime Video.
