Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan may be better known to some as Pip and Merry, those loveable hobbits from the Lord of the Rings films. But when they debut their new series, Billy and Dom Eat the World, they’re proving there’s more food on their minds than second breakfast.
Before you check out these actors and their onscreen bromance in the food world, read on for a few tasty tidbits you might not have known about these real-life besties.
Watch new episodes of Billy and Dom Eat The World on Fridays at 10PM on Flavour Network. Stream Flavour Network with a STACKTV subscription. Try it free today.
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They’ve Been Friends for Years
Boyd and Monaghan first met on the set of Lord of the Rings, but they’ve been good friends ever since. That’s more than 25 years, for those keeping track. The pair credit their fast friendship to pub culture, but anyone who has ever seen them in interviews together knows they can banter and chill like brothers.
This Isn’t Their Only Project Together
This new travel series isn’t the first time Boyd and Monaghan are teaming up post-LOTR. Previously, Boyd appeared on Monaghan’s travel show, Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan, and the two also paired for the Moriarty podcast show.
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They Are Not a Couple
Monaghan and Boyd spend so much time together, and their friendship has become so legendary that many fans wonder if they’re a couple. They aren’t. Boyd is married to Ali McKinnon (Monaghan attended the wedding!), and while Monaghan isn’t currently tied to anyone publicly, he previously dated his Lost co-star Evangeline Lilly.
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They Had a Podcast Together
Part of the inspiration for Billy and Dom Eat the World was from their former podcast, The Friendship Onion. On it, they had a segment in which guests would bring in different foods for them to try. They realized the stories behind the foods were the most interesting part of the experience, and they wanted to explore that more when the podcast ended.
People Are Obsessed with Dominic Monaghan’s Voice
If you listen to Monaghan’s voice over the years, it has definitely gotten deeper. That’s just age, he’s admitted, but he also thinks he sounds different these days. Boyd doesn’t necessarily see it, though. “You’ve always had a lovely, resonant, theater voice,” he told his friend during a Wired interview.
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They Hit the Stage Together, Too
Before Billy and Dom Eat The World, Monaghan and Boyd hit the road with their play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. The play follows two minor characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and it was something the actors dreamed of doing together ever since they realized the play characters had a lot in common with their LOTR characters.
They Have a Joint Cameo Account
If you ever wanted to gift the joy of Monaghan and Boyd, you can do so with a Cameo. The pair are on the messaging service as a duo, of course, so if you’d like to connect with them you can—for a price.
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They Still Hang Out With Their Fellow Hobbits
Boyd and Monaghan may be besties, but they still hang out with their other hobbit co-stars whenever possible. Unsurprisingly, one of their preferred things to do is to hang out and eat.
“One of our favourite ways to get to know a city is to check out a local restaurant,” Monaghan told Deadline. “Myself, Billy, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin go to conventions very often, and one of the things we do over these weekends is pick a restaurant, and go and eat.”
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They Have Matching Tattoos
Days before filming wrapped on the final Lord of the Rings film, the cast decided to get matching tattoos in New Zealand. The main cast, including Monaghan, Boyd, Astin, Wood, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen and Ian McKellen all got the Elvish symbol for “nine” inked on different parts of their bodies to represent their lifelong fellowship.
Find Them in a Pub and You May Hear a Familiar Song
It’s no secret that hobbits like to eat, drink and sing. Well, as it turns out, so do Monaghan and Boyd. The pair have been known to perform songs together while at the pub, including the beloved “The Hobbit Drinking Song.” So, if you ever spot them at the pub, offer them a pint and get ready to make a request.
Watch the premiere of Billy and Dom Eat The World on Friday, April 11 at 10PM on Flavour Network. Stream Flavour Network with a STACKTV subscription. Try it free today.