Did the Apollo Has Fallen Cast Use Stunt Doubles? Ritu Arya Reveals

The action in Apollo Has Fallen may look like a typical high-budget spy thriller, but Ritu Arya says the cast put in considerable physical work themselves rather than simply relying on stunt doubles.

Arya, who returns as MI6 agent Zara Taylor in the new instalment of the Has Fallen television franchise, has spoken about the intense preparation required for the show's elaborate fight sequences and stunts.

The actress stars opposite Tewfik Jallab, who reprises his role as former French protection officer Vincent Taleb. The pair reunite after Paris Has Fallen for a new mission involving an aircraft hijacking, mercenaries and a deadly biological threat.

Did Ritu Arya use a stunt double?

According to Arya, she and Jallab were closely involved in the action rather than leaving the physical work entirely to stunt doubles.

Speaking about the production, Arya said the actors trained extensively for the second season and continued rehearsing during filming, including practising fight choreography and stunts after returning to their hotel.

The production also had a dedicated professional stunt team, which Arya and Jallab credited with helping them execute the sequences safely.

That means the answer is more nuanced than simply saying the cast did or did not use doubles: the leads performed substantial portions of their own action work, while specialist stunt professionals were still an important part of the production.

Ritu Arya's intense preparation for Zara Taylor

Arya's character, Zara Taylor, is an experienced MI6 operative who is highly trained in combat.

To prepare for the role, Arya said she underwent significant physical training, including boxing and different martial arts. She also spoke with a former intelligence officer to better understand aspects of an MI6 agent's protocols and daily life.

The preparation was particularly important because the second season increases the scale of the action and places Zara in increasingly dangerous situations.

Six to seven months of filming

The physical demands were not limited to a few isolated stunt days.

Jallab told Elle that production lasted approximately six to seven months, meaning the cast had to remain physically prepared throughout a lengthy shoot. He also recalled a particularly demanding fight sequence filmed inside a small cell with water on the floor.

The sequence was technically complicated, with limited space and multiple cameras. Jallab said the stunt team was constantly vigilant about preventing injuries during the production.

The actors trained even during the shoot

Arya's comments underline how seriously the production approached the action choreography.

She explained that training did not stop once filming began. The actors would reportedly continue their preparation during the shoot, including spending time in the gym and rehearsing stunts.

For an action series in which the principal characters are repeatedly involved in hand-to-hand combat, maintaining physical conditioning was essential.

What makes Apollo Has Fallen different?

The new series expands the story beyond the Paris setting of its predecessor.

This time, Zara and Vincent become caught up in an international conspiracy after an aircraft hijacking. The plot takes them through locations including Libya and Madrid, as they attempt to stop a deadly virus from being unleashed across Europe.

The larger geographical scale also brings more elaborate action sequences, including fights, gun battles and vehicle-based set pieces.

Ritu Arya says the action had to feel authentic

Arya's preparation was also intended to make Zara's physical abilities believable.

Director David Caffrey described Zara as someone with an MI6 background who would have undergone extensive combat training. He said that when the character is thrown into dangerous situations, Arya is able to convincingly handle the physical demands while also portraying Zara's emotional side.

That combination is central to the character: Zara is not simply an action hero, but an agent dealing with trust issues, professional pressure and increasingly personal stakes.

Who stars in Apollo Has Fallen?

The series features:

• Ritu Arya as Zara Taylor

• Tewfik Jallab as Vincent Taleb

• Jacek Koman as Yuri Mishkin

• Annabel Scholey as a virologist caught up in the crisis

The eight-episode action thriller is created and written by Howard Overman, with David Caffrey and Alice Troughton directing.

Where and when to watch Apollo Has Fallen?

Apollo Has Fallen premiered in India on September 18, 2026, and is streaming on Lionsgate Play.

The series follows Paris Has Fallen and continues the television adaptation of the Has Fallen action franchise.