In a shocking revelation that unveils the hidden perils of filmmaking, James Oliver-Watts, a star of the upcoming Channel 4 historical epic King Conqueror, has confessed he genuinely believed his life was ending during a gruelling torture scene.
The actor detailed the harrowing on-set ordeal, which became so intense and physically demanding that the production was forced to shut down entirely for his safety.
A Scene Too Real: The Breaking Point
Oliver-Watts portrays a young James the Conqueror in the series, which required him to film a sequence where his character is brutally tortured. The scene involved being bound to a wooden structure, replicating the medieval ‘Breaking Wheel’ method of punishment.
What was meant to be simulated agony quickly turned into genuine distress. The actor described a terrifying moment where the constraints and the position cut off his circulation and breathing, leading to a full-blown panic attack.
"I remember just not being able to breathe and not being able to get any oxygen," he recounted. "I started to have a panic attack and I was like, 'I'm actually going to die here, this is it'."
Production Halts for Actor's Safety
Recognising the severity of the situation, the director immediately stopped filming. Oliver-Watts was cut down from the apparatus and attended to, but the psychological impact was profound.
The incident was so severe that he was unable to return to the set for the remainder of the day, and the production schedule was significantly impacted. The experience has left a lasting mark on the actor, highlighting the very real physical and mental challenges performers can face in the pursuit of authentic storytelling.
The series, a major international co-production shot in Spain, boasts a stellar cast but is now also marked by this alarming event behind the scenes.
