Elisabeth Moss, an Emmy-honored actress, suffered a severe spinal injury while filming a stunt for the forthcoming FX on Hulu miniseries, “The Veil.” Moss, 41, fractured a vertebra during a scene filmed on a rooftop over Istanbul, Turkey’s Grand Bazaar.
The incident underscores the risks and challenges associated with shooting action-laden sequences. Despite the seriousness of the injury, shooting resumed soon after, with Moss returning to the set the next day.
Moss shared details about the injury during an interview with Variety. The actress, celebrated for her role in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” was involved in a physically challenging stunt sequence where her character, Imogen Salter, an undercover MI6 agent, fights an adversary. During the first take, Moss collided with a wall, leading to the spinal injury. She was immobilized on the rooftop for nearly two hours while being examined by medical personnel before she could be taken down from the roof.
“The [scene] you see in the show is actually the second time we shot it, about six weeks later,” Moss stated during the interview. “The first time we shot it I hit a wall the wrong way, let’s just say, and ended up lying on the roof for a couple hours.”
Moss returned to the filming set the day following the injury, demonstrating her dedication to her role. She even humorously suggested to the production team to cover her with a green blanket and edit her out afterward, pointing to her initial concerns about continuing filming in her condition.
Denise Di Novi, the producer of “The Veil,” praised Moss’s determination and resilience. Di Novi noted, “Elisabeth is underselling how hard a lot of the stunt was that she did,” underscoring the physical obstacles Moss had to overcome.
This incident brings attention to the physical demands and potential dangers actors face in performing their stunts. The production team, recognizing these risks, supported Moss’ decision to continue filming and later revisited the Grand Bazaar to reshoot the scene, ensuring the creative integrity of the series while prioritizing Moss’s health.
“The Veil,” which premiered on Hulu on April 30, casts Moss as Imogen, who is involved in a plot to prevent an ISIS terrorist attack on the United States. The series delivers a blend of espionage and high-stakes action, underlining the gripping narratives and intense physical performances.
