Ritu Arya Discusses Overseas Espionage Series and Collaboration with Sean Harris & Gerard Butler in Paris Has Fallen

Ritu Arya Takes Center Stage in Paris Has Fallen

English actress Ritu Arya has been making significant strides in the entertainment industry, and her latest role in Paris Has Fallen marks an important milestone. Known for her guest appearances in various shows, such as AMC’s Humans and Doctor Who, Arya gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Lila in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, featured in its successful second to fourth seasons. Over the past decade, she has also made a mark in blockbuster films like Red Notice and Barbie.

Arya plays Zara Taylor, a newly minted MI6 agent stationed in France, in this latest installment of the Gerard Butler-led action franchise. Alongside protection officer Vincent Taleb, portrayed by Tewfik Jallab, Arya’s character is thrust into a high-stakes mission to thwart the vengeful schemes of Jacob Pearce (Sean Harris), a former French Foreign Legion member turned terrorist. The alliance between Zara and Vincent is pivotal in navigating these turbulent waters.

To celebrate the Hulu premiere of Paris Has Fallen, ScreenRant caught up with Arya to delve into her journey within the Has Fallen franchise, her collaborations on set, and prospects for future series locations.

Entering the Has Fallen Franchise with Fresh Eyes

“The series is going to be so different from the movies…”

Ritu Arya as Zara looking worried and talking into a walkie talkie in Paris Has Fallen

ScreenRant: Paris Has Fallen expands the Has Fallen universe. What was your prior experience with the films before embarking on this project?

Ritu Arya: I hadn’t actually watched them, so when I got the role, I only caught snippets to understand the tone. They’re distinctly different from the series. I wanted to make sure the films didn’t influence my performance, so my familiarity was minimal.

Bizarre Timing of International Promotions

The Series Premiered On Canal+ In September

Paris Has Fallen heroes Vincent and Zara, alongside the destroyed Big Ben from London Has Fallen — Custom image by Ana Nieves.

Ritu Arya: It’s quite bizarre because while I’m in a festive mood, promoting the show feels surreal. The excitement of its release in the U.S. really brings a celebratory vibe, making the anticipation feel all the more intense.

Zara & Vincent: A Trust-Building Journey

Exploring the Complexity of Zara

Can you share more about Zara’s character and her journey in the Has Fallen series?

Ritu Arya: Zara is a fresh face within MI6, stepping into a critical operation alongside Vincent. She strives to prove herself professionally while managing personal challenges, including her partner’s drug addiction. This dynamic creates layers of complexity and trust issues for both characters as they learn to collaborate effectively.

Zara’s complexity adds a unique element to her relationship with Vincent. Can you detail how their dynamic evolves?

Ritu Arya: Initially, Zara struggles with trust, but as they begin to work together, she discovers Vincent’s reliability, leading to a genuine connection as they face challenges together.

The Impact of Working with Sean Harris

Given Sean Harris’s reputation, particularly as Solomon Lane in Mission: Impossible, how did his presence affect the show’s atmosphere?

Ritu Arya: Sean’s performance as the antagonist is captivating. He brings such depth to his character that at times, you find yourself empathizing with his motives, which adds a thrilling layer to the story.

Encountering Butler: A Missed Opportunity

“Tell him I say hi.”

Gerard Butler as a bloodied Mike Banning pointing a gun in Olympus Has Fallen

Despite Gerard Butler’s role as a producer, did you have any opportunities to work directly with him?

Ritu Arya: Unfortunately, no. I had yet to meet him as there were numerous script changes throughout production. It’s a bit nerve-wracking not knowing how the final story would pan out, but it keeps the experience exciting!

Exploring New Horizons for Has Fallen

“The possibilities are endless…”

Ritu Arya's Zara from Paris Has Fallen with Gerard Butler's Banning from Angel Has Fallen

With the transition to serialized television, do you envision expanding the Has Fallen narrative across different locations in future seasons?

Ritu Arya: Absolutely! I would love to see the show explore diverse locales like Barcelona, Miami, or Tokyo. Traveling the world with this series could be a thrilling opportunity, as the narrative can flourish in various cultural settings.

Overview of Paris Has Fallen

In Paris Has Fallen, a group of terrorists led by Jacob Pearce targets a significant embassy reception, endangering the French Minister of Defence. As chaos unfolds, protection officer Vincent teams up with sharp-witted MI6 agent Zara. Together, they uncover a plot that extends far beyond a single threat as they contend with the reality that a member of their security team may be leaking information to Pearce. Facing mounting pressure and danger, their reliance on each other deepens, prompting them to work cohesively to prevent Paris from succumbing to Bassett’s vendetta.

Watch the trailer here

Paris Has Fallen is currently available for streaming on Hulu.

Source: ScreenRant Plus

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