Hobbit actress Markella Kavenagh created the Harfoot sign language Nori uses in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' on Prime Video. Turns out an actor, not J.R.R. Tolkien, came up with it.

We spoke to The Rings of Power's Markella Kavenagh about Nori's response to the growing evil in Middle-earth, her tall wizard co-star, and more.

"What is happening in their world at that time is unprecedented. I do think it means the Harfoot community now have to reevaluate what needs to change," says Markella Kavenagh, who plays Nori.

The Harfoot troubles begin when Largo Brandyfoot, the father of inquisitive and empathic young daughter Nori, suffers a badly sprained or broken ankle while assisting in festival preparations.

This fear intensifies in episode 3 when Nori’s family is banished to the back of the caravan; a punishment for her rebelliousness. This is a death sentence for Largo, who will surely fall behind.

Nori and Poppy, after all, are Harfoots, ancestors of Hobbits. Nori is adventurous; ... but once on the ground in New Zealand went into what was essentially Harfoot training camp.

Fortunately, one of them is Nori's. Elanor "Nori" Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh), that Hobbit ancestor known as a Harfoot, is the Frodo/Bilbo piloting this ship.

The Rings of Power introduced the Stoors, another tribe of Hobbits. Here's what you should know about them and their connection with Harfoots.

And then there's the Stranger, a mysterious amnesiac who fell out of the sky in the first season and who is now traveling to the desert land of Rhûn with Nori and Poppy, his harfoot companions.

The Rings of Power leaned into that aspect of Hobbit history when Nori and Poppy encountered a Stoor named Merimac in the desert of Rhûn. They called him a Harfoot, but he didn’t know what that ...