When Morfydd Clark stepped onto the stage at For The Love of Fantasy 2025, held on August 17 at London’s ExCeL, the atmosphere was electrified with anticipation and admiration. This convention has built its reputation on uniting some of the fantasy genre’s most cherished figures, and the 2025 edition was no exception, boasting appearances from the likes of Sir Ian McKellen, a titan of Middle-earth himself. Yet it was the arrival of Morfydd Clark, who has redefined the role of Galadriel for a new generation in Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, that truly became the highlight of the event. Social media had been buzzing for weeks with excitement, and the roar of the crowd when she appeared confirmed that her performance has resonated deeply with audiences. What made this appearance so powerful was the way it bridged the often distant worlds of independent arthouse cinema and epic fantasy spectacle. For many in attendance, this was not just another convention stop—it was a recognition of how an actress has simultaneously revitalized Tolkien’s mythology and carved out her own artistic identity in the process.
Throughout her panel and interactions with fans, Morfydd Clark displayed the very qualities that have marked her rise in the entertainment world: humility, depth, and a certain ethereal quality that makes her both relatable and extraordinary. Attendees described her as calm, reflective, and approachable, traits that stood in contrast to the larger-than-life characters she is best known for portraying. In her interpretation of Galadriel, Morfydd Clark faced the challenge of inheriting a role long associated with Cate Blanchett’s iconic cinematic performance, yet she explained in earlier interviews—and echoed through her remarks at conventions like this—that her approach focused on the inner conflicts of a younger elf who is still discovering her own strength. Fans listening to her at ExCeL likely heard about the immense responsibility of embodying such a legendary character and the balancing act of honoring Tolkien’s vision while making it her own. This authenticity, the same that shines in her acting, resonated in her candid reflections and made her panel not only a celebration of her career but also an intimate look at her creative process.
The significance of Morfydd Clark’s versatility was also underscored during her appearance. Long before she donned the armor of Galadriel, she captivated audiences with her chilling performance in Saint Maud. This psychological horror film, which earned her a BAFTA Cymru Award and several prestigious nominations, remains one of the most striking debut lead roles in recent British cinema. To move from such a small-scale, unsettling character study to leading a billion-dollar fantasy epic is no small feat, and her ability to traverse these extremes has become central to her reputation as one of the most dynamic performers of her generation. At ExCeL, this duality was evident—fans celebrating her Galadriel role were equally likely to reference her haunting portrayal of Maud, highlighting how her career embodies both intimacy and spectacle. The juxtaposition of these roles illustrates not only her range but also her commitment to exploring the full spectrum of human experience, whether in shadowy horror or mythic legend.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Morfydd Clark also shared moments that highlighted her humanity and connection to her roots. Born in Sweden but raised in Penarth, Wales, she has often spoken about her Welsh heritage, her bilingual upbringing, and the way her cultural background has influenced her work. At For The Love of Fantasy 2025, she once again brought that perspective to her fans, reinforcing how much her ability to speak Welsh enriched her portrayal of Galadriel. She has previously explained that Welsh allows her to express deeper emotions, something she integrated into her performance to imagine the inner language of her character’s heart. Fans were delighted to hear anecdotes about her speaking Welsh on set with co-stars such as Owain Arthur and Trystan Gravelle, which not only grounded her work but also gave it a romantic depth tied to Tolkien’s own inspirations. Her candidness about her personal journey—from struggling with dyslexia and ADHD in school to finding refuge and expression in theatre—made her story even more inspiring to those in attendance, who saw in her both an otherworldly star and a grounded human being.
The symbolic weight of her sharing the stage with Sir Ian McKellen was not lost on anyone present. Here stood a legendary veteran of Tolkien adaptations alongside a younger performer who has taken up one of Middle-earth’s most iconic mantles. The image itself was a passing of the torch across generations of fantasy storytelling: one figure who defined Gandalf for millions, another who has breathed new life into Galadriel for a new era. Their presence together reminded fans that the genre continues to evolve while staying deeply rooted in the traditions and characters that first captured imaginations decades ago. For Morfydd Clark, this moment affirmed her place among the pantheon of actors shaping the future of fantasy, an acknowledgment that her performance in The Rings of Power is not merely appreciated but deeply respected.
By the time the event drew to a close, it was clear that Morfydd Clark had left an indelible impression on everyone who attended For The Love of Fantasy 2025. Fans walked away not only with autographs, photos, and stories to tell but also with a renewed sense of admiration for an actress who continues to surprise and inspire. Her journey from early roles in Madame Bovary, The Falling, and Love & Friendship to her breakout in Saint Maud and her ongoing triumph as Galadriel speaks to a career defined by bravery, diversity, and integrity. More than just a star of the convention circuit, she is a performer who embodies the vulnerability and power of modern storytelling, proving that authenticity can shine as brightly on the grand stage of fantasy as it does in the intimate realm of character-driven cinema. Her presence in London was not just a moment for fans to celebrate but a reminder of how much she has already given to the art of performance—and how much more she is certain to bring in the years ahead.
You can discover our photos in our Flickr page
Filmography
2014 – Madame Bovary
2014 – The Falling
2016 – Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
2016 – Love & Friendship
2016 – The Call Up
2017 – Interlude in Prague
2017 – The Man Who Invented Christmas
2019 – Crawl
2019 – The Personal History of David Copperfield
2019 – Eternal Beauty
2019 – Saint Maud
2022–present – The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (TV series)
2023 – Starve Acre
2023 – Murder is Easy (TV)
Photos : ©fannyrlphotography