Tewfik Jallab Discusses His Role in “Paris Has Fallen”

“Paris Has Fallen,” the spin-off series from the popular “Has Fallen” film franchise, is making its debut with a fresh face leading the charge. Tewfik Jallab takes on the role of Vincent Taleb, a protection officer with a mandate to safeguard Paris from the looming threat of a terrorist attack.

In a recent interview conducted via Zoom from France, Jallab revealed that he had not seen any of the earlier “Has Fallen” movies before taking on his role. “Unfortunately, I’ve never watched them,” he admitted, adding that the series was a favorite of his brother. “When they offered me the role, I had two options: do I watch it or not? In the end I decided to not watch it,” he explained, emphasizing his desire to create a unique character without being influenced by the work of Gerard Butler, who starred in the original films.

Jallab, known for his work on the crime series “Spiral,” was a late addition to the cast after the previous lead dropped out. Despite this, the transition into the role was smooth. “I felt quite accepted when I came on board,” he noted, stating that he had freedom to shape his character as long as he remained within the franchise’s parameters.

“Paris Has Fallen” introduces new dynamics, most notably the inclusion of MI6 operative Zara Taylor, portrayed by Ritu Arya, to work alongside Taleb. Jallab praised Arya for her skill and sense of humor, describing their on-screen partnership as “an amazing experience.” He remarked, “This was the first time I was acting in English in a series, so that was pretty new to me, and through the whole experience we were really like a team.”

The actor, who has been practicing martial arts since childhood, spoke enthusiastically about doing his own stunts. He recounted humorous moments from filming, where producers appeared anxious about his safety, given his full-throttle approach to action sequences. Despite this, he was adamant about his enjoyment of the demanding physical challenges, saying, “I’m just enjoying doing it and enjoying the challenge… like a child would play.”

As “Paris Has Fallen” premieres on SBS and SBS On Demand, expectations are high for Jallab’s portrayal of Vincent Taleb. With plans already underway for a second season, the actor is eager to continue his high-stakes adventures, expressing his excitement for future challenges, “I’m just enjoying the challenge of it,” he stated.