interview by JANA LETONJA
For Australian actor Tyroe Muhafidin, joining one of television’s biggest fantasy worlds wasn’t a career milestone, it was just the beginning. Still a teenager when he made his major acting debut as Theo in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, he now returns for a third season that promises a major evolution for his character as the story moves deeper into Sauron’s rise and the forging of the One Ring. Beyond Middle-earth, his ambitions are quickly expanding, he’ll next appear in Netflix’s upcoming Breakers, has emerged as a distinctive young presence in fashion, and spends his downtime producing hip-hop and indie-pop beats. As The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power enters a pivotal new chapter, Troye is stepping into one of his own.
photography by TOBIAS MUHAFIDIN
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was your first major project, and you joined it incredibly young. Looking back now, how surreal does that beginning feel?
I think it’s so crazy to me how comfortable I have found myself to become in front of the camera. It’s almost like a second nature to me now. I remember I used to be so nervous anytime I would step onto set, but now it’s become my safe space where I can just let loose and let the environment around me take control as I “transform” per se.
Season 3 represents a huge evolution for Theo. Without venturing into spoiler territory, how different was the character you played this season from the Theo we first met?
This season, we definitely see an older, more broken down Theo. I think the past two seasons have shown a hopeful young boy who just wanted to see a better life for him and his people, but this season that hope has vanished. He is tired, angry and has nothing more to lose.
Theo has often existed at the intersection of vulnerability, anger and temptation. Which part of him has been the most interesting for you to explore as you’ve gotten older yourself?
Definitely exploring the ideas of grief and mourning, and how that can change a person. I would say his vulnerability and anger are the biggest driving forces behind his temptations.
You’ve spent a significant part of your teenage years inside Tolkien’s universe. Has working on the show changed your relationship with fantasy, or with Tolkien himself?
I think as a kid it was all a lot of fun, and felt like real play pretend. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve understood the escapism of it all, and how we as people need something that isn’t real life to not feel so weighed down by our realities.
You’re Australian, but The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has made your career international almost immediately. How important is maintaining a connection to Australia as your career expands?
I think it’s super important. Keeping my relationship with my home and my family is what keeps me grounded and keeps me pushing forward.
Your next project, Breakers, brings you into a completely different world, a contemporary Australian surf community. After years of Middle-earth, how refreshing was it to walk onto a set where nobody was carrying a sword?
It was great. I got to swap my sword for surf board and a can of beer.
What did that project allow you to do as an actor that audiences haven’t seen from you yet?
I play someone funny. I finally got to crack a smile on camera. It was great because I got to lean into the awkwardness of Danno rather than the tragedy of Theo.
Fashion has also become part of the conversation around you. Do you think of getting dressed for a premiere or editorial shoot as another form of character-building and storytelling?
Of course. Even just every day getting ready I feel is character building. The clothes that you are wearing is one of the first indicators to people of who you are and what your vibe is. I love being able to dress casually but still with a bit of personal flavour, but then also be able to go all out for a premiere or editiorial to really express myself.
Has being exposed to global fashion changed the way you think about your own personal style?
Not really, I feel like I’ve always had a strong grasp on what I like and what I’m comfortable in. I think it has just given me more confidence in what I wear. I love seeing how people have a vision, execute it and share it. And that inspires me so much.
Outside acting, you produce hip-hop and indie-pop beats. What does making music give you creatively that acting doesn’t?
As an actor, my job is tell a story. But the story I’m telling isn’t mine. Music is my chance to tell my story. It helps me get things off my chest without having to talk, because a lot of the time talking is hard.
As you head into this new season, Breakers, music and everything beyond, what kind of career do you want to build from here?
To be honest, I don’t usually think of what kind of career I’m building, I guess I’m just building it. I’m just doing whatever I love and I’m so thankful I’ve been able to support myself doing so. I think I just want people to see me as a guy doing something he wants because he wants to.
