One of the most memorable scenes of the series is Rebecca Ferguson's breathtaking dive stunt in Silo Season 2, which also shows her dedication to realism in acting. In Episode 7, titled The Dive, Ferguson's character, Juliette, embarks on a perilous underwater mission.
This scene not only moves the narrative forward but also focuses on Juliette's vulnerabilities. The episode had a complex underwater stunt that Ferguson had to do, which meant she had to navigate technical challenges and emotional depth.
The underwater stunt in Silo Season 2: A technical challenge
In Silo, Juliette is coerced by Solo, played by Steve Zahn, to submerge underwater to repair a drainage pump that has malfunctioned. The task is critical since it controls the water levels in Solo's bunker. Ferguson shared the experience of filming this climactic underwater scene:
“The regulator isn’t a normal regulator breather,” she tells Variety. “It shoots air directly into your lungs, so you have to practice breathing with it before you ever film. It is a really odd device, and a mental fuck-up. It’s like you bite onto something, and when you bite it shoots air."
“But you can’t just breathe in like we are used to breathing, you have to just bite and wait until your lungs have automatically filled up,” she adds.
This grueling experience was both physically and mentally exhausting for Ferguson. She summed up the experience by saying:
"Sometimes, it messed with my head."
At one point underwater, she had to shed her gear and shoot up fast, which she admitted is something "you shouldn't really do."
The emotional stakes of the scene
The relationship dynamics between Juliette and Solo add emotional weight to the scene. Solo, in essence, blackmails Juliette to accomplish this dangerous mission by withholding her oxygen suit. This creates tension and urgency between them. Ferguson highlighted this complexity by saying:
“It is a constant bloody table-tennis relationship between two human beings who just want to survive.”
She explained that Juliette wants to escape while Solo needs her help, which leads to constant compromise between their needs.
As Juliette descends into the water, she faces not only physical challenges but also psychological ones. The pressure of the situation culminates when her air supply unexpectedly cuts off after she completes her task. This moment reflects her character's struggle against isolation and betrayal, especially when she believes Solo has abandoned her.
Behind the Scenes of Silo: Filming Challenges
The shooting of such complex underwater scenes was very challenging for the actors and the crew. Ferguson appreciated the team that stood by her during those challenging scenes and said that it took a village to make it safe and realistic. The water tank that was built for filming was one of the biggest in the UK, thus permitting a lot of shooting without compromising on safety.
The fact that Ferguson was willing to perform her stunts adds credibility to Silo. Showrunner Graham Yost even commented on this aspect of Ferguson, pointing out that Ferguson even finds such tough sequences enjoyable. This can be seen in the way she has handled the emotional and physical aspects of her character.
Rebecca Ferguson's dive stunt in Silo Season 2 shows how technical proficiency is mixed with emotional narration in modern television. As Juliette faces physical danger and emotional turmoil in her underwater mission, the audience is treated to a strong display of vulnerability and resilience.
The meticulous planning and execution behind these scenes show not only Ferguson's talent but also the collaborative effort required in filmmaking. Through moments like these, Silo continues to engage audiences with its compelling narrative and stunning visuals.