Owain Arthur on Tolkien Loves Interpretation, His Power Dwarf Makeup Rings and His Robert Aramayo Bromance [Exclusive Interview]

I'm a big fan of the show [and] a big fan of Tolkien in general. I'm also a Tolkien fan who loves changes and all...

Really? Because that's what he wanted. Everything was to be interpreted. And that comes from Tolkien's estates.

Did they tell you that?

Yeah.

Did you talk to them?

Who talked to them? I can't give you... One of the actors talked to Simon [Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien's grandson, a director of Tolkien's estate and a serial consultant], I think.

Oh great.

And he said, after watching episodes one and two, that's exactly what he wanted. Listen, and I want it to be written that, it was an official, it was a quote.

I'll put this in print.

Yeah. That he was not precious. He liked that his work could be interpreted in different ways. And, of course, he would. Of course he would.

I love that, and the fact that they gave you a wife that's amazing.

Yeah!

That's actually one of the things I wanted to ask you about because you see love stories, and you only see the beginning of things, but you never really see a marriage that is good, in the middle, and you have children. How was it [playing]?

Yes, it's absolutely beautiful. Isn't that great? I like this. Usually, when relationships are portrayed on TV or in movies, there's a divorce, or there's an affair, or that's the falling in love part. It's never this strong life, this daily passion they have for each other, for their children, for the kingdom, for the mountains. And it's really easy to do that with Sophia [Nomvete] because from the moment we met, we set up in terms of, it was so easy. I think we share the same mischievous sense of humor that we can enter and share so easily. And I love that we can show that domestic side of dwarves. And also just to portray a domestic relationship in a TV show that works, it's indestructible.

It makes me say "Aww" every time I see it.

It really is. It really is! And they're so open and passionate about each other, and they clearly love each other.

And they're fun together!

It's kind of like, "Aww, wouldn't you love to have that person in your life?"

I think one of the things I love so much about Durin is that he's funny and looks like someone who would play pranks, like the tables.

Uh-huh. [laughs]

I'm just curious, are you someone who does this on set?

[laughs] I feel like you're asking that question and you know what the answer will be.

I may have the answer, yes!

I am, yes. I am mischievous. I was the class clown at school. I love humor, and yes, I push the boundaries of where that humor can go. So I shoot myself in the foot from time to time, but it's in the name of comedy.