Actor Charlie Vickers, known for his role as Sauron in "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," recently shared insights into his career, personal experiences, and a playful rivalry with fellow actor Tom Cruise over freediving capabilities.
Vickers recalled his early days in acting, mentioning a notably amateur production of "Fawlty Towers" at Queen’s College in Melbourne, where he played Basil Fawlty. He described the challenges of performing in a circus tent during winter and reflected on his initial passion for comedy before pursuing drama seriously.
Discussing his portrayal of Sauron, Vickers acknowledged the character’s embodiment of near-total evil, interpreting that as a complete disregard for the feelings and wellbeing of others. He connected this concept to personal memories of feeling out of place and bullied during his teenage years playing Australian rules football.
In addition to his work on fantasy series, Vickers touched on his experience filming the movie "Palm Beach" alongside actor Sam Neill. He praised Neill’s kindness on set and shared a lighthearted anecdote about Neill humorously reenacting a "Jurassic Park" dinosaur scene for a co-star.
Vickers also revealed a charming story behind his marriage proposal, which took place in the woods near his wife’s childhood home in Hampshire. He recounted awkwardly attempting to kneel in muddy terrain while proposing, ultimately resorting to a lunge to avoid getting his jeans dirty.
Among other personal anecdotes, Vickers recounted a humorous moment mistaken for recognition from Olympic athlete Mo Farah, as well as his musical background. He played drums in school bands covering hits by Green Day and The Doors and participated in a jazz ensemble.
The actor’s remarks on freediving sparked some controversy. Comparing himself to Tom Cruise, who also practices the sport, Vickers stated that Cruise’s impressive breath-holding times might be aided by pre-breathing oxygen to saturate the blood, a technique not used during Vickers’s own dives. He concluded bluntly, "Tom Cruise cheated at freediving," suggesting that the Hollywood star’s numbers were enhanced by this method.
On lighter topics, Vickers shared his views on men’s fashion, particularly the ideal length of shorts, highlighting his sensitivity about his knees and ankles. He also admitted to disliking cheese, an uncommon stance given its popularity in social dining settings, particularly in England where charcuterie boards are widespread.
Vickers’s portrayal of Sauron will continue in the upcoming third season of "The Rings of Power," set to premiere on Prime Video on November 11.