Despite racist vitriol, 'Rings of Power' star Ismael Cruz Córdova is not backing down

Racist gatekeepers and online trolls aren't new to genre storytelling. Actors Kelly Marie Tran, John Boyega, and most recently Moses Ingram, faced a barrage of online attacks after joining the Star Wars universe.

Now, similar trolls have made their way to Middle-earth, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star Ismael Cruz Córdova is not letting them win.

The Amazon show, which premiered to 25 million global viewers on its first day, was met with controversy from the day Córdova's casting was announced, as well the casting of other Black actors in the series. Córdova — who is...