The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power does what no other adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien has done: It places people of color and women front and center.

From adding new non-white characters such as Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi), Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova), and Disa (Sophia Nomvete) to following the stories of women like Bronwyn, Disa, and Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), The Rings of Power makes a conscious effort to bring more perspectives to Middle-earth. It is the latest in a series of fantasy and science-fiction shows, including The Wheel of Time, Foundation, and The Sandman, to embrace inclusive casting.

Unfortunately, The Rings of Power‘s inclusivity has drawn sexist and especially racist ire from internet trolls who claim this casting breaks Tolkien’s canon. As Richard Newby writes in The Hollywood Reporter, these vile reactions misread Tolkien’s work and intentions. He also notes that these cries to uphold Tolkien’s canon are thinly-veiled attempts to justify racism. The reactions to Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, which also deviates from its source material yet has an almost entirely white cast, were nowhere near this vitriolic.

As loud as these racist and sexist voices can be, the inclusive casting has also been embraced by The Rings of Power‘s audience. As Newby writes — and other viewers agree — there is a joy to seeing oneself represented on screen in a world you love. Middle-earth is for everyone. Fantasy is for everyone. Casting should be reflective of that.

Mashable spoke to several cast members of The Rings of Power over Zoom about what it means for them to be a part of an epic fantasy project that centers people of color and women. Their joint reactions can be summed up in one statement from Boniadi: “I feel like it’s about time.”

Boniadi, who plays the human healer Bronwyn, expanded, saying, “It’s reflective, not only of the world we live in today, but of Tolkien’s image of fellowship, of overcoming differences, of forming bonds with the other… And what better way to have that than to have a cast of people from diverse backgrounds?” Boniadi also felt empowered by the agency showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay gave the show’s female characters. She drew inspiration from the women of her home country of Iran, who “risked everything for a better tomorrow.”

Boniadi’s co-star Córdova, who plays Bronwyn’s elven love interest Arondir, especially appreciates what the casting of people of color means for the future of Middle-earth. “We are here now, and there will no longer ever be a day in which people can say that elves don’t look a certain way, or people in Middle-earth don’t look a certain way. That chapter is sealed and closed,” he said.

 There will no longer ever be a day in which people can say that elves don’t look a certain way, or people in Middle-earth don’t look a certain way.

For Tyroe Muhafidin, who stars as Bronwyn’s son Theo, The Rings of Power‘s inclusive casting is also a huge morale boost to actors of color. “Growing up, I was declined a lot of roles. You [would hear], ‘we went with another direction,’ then you look at who gets cast and you go, ‘Ah, I see.’ Landing this role for me, even though I’m young, it was a really, really great feeling, because for once I felt like I was recognized for my skills and recognized for me,” Muhafidin explained. “I think all those other young people who could be in similar situations as I was could look at that and be inspired. Hopefully it drives them to keep working, because it’s very much possible.”

One of the greatest pleasures of The Rings of Power is seeing how new characters, from Bronwyn to Disa to Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh), fit into Middle-earth. These newcomers are full of Tolkien’s trademark strength, heroism, and warmth, and their performers embody all these qualities with aplomb. That they better represent our own world is a necessity — and that’s something the whole cast agrees upon.

“As a white cisgendered male, it has been my luxury throughout my life to never have my existence questioned in a show or a film,” said Trystan Gravelle, who plays Númenórean Pharazôn. “And I think it’s only right that that is extended to absolutely everybody.”

“It’s really exciting,” added Clark — Galadriel herself — in the same interview. “And I feel very honored to be part of something that is taking some risks that need to be taken.”

Belen Edwards is an Entertainment Reporter at Mashable. She covers movies and TV with a focus on fantasy and science fiction, adaptations, animation, and more nerdy goodness.