
The disclosure highlights the demanding production standards of premium streaming dramas and reinforces audience perception of authentic, high‑risk storytelling, which can drive subscriber engagement.
Fallout’s second season continues Amazon Prime Video’s push into cinematic television, blending the franchise’s post‑apocalyptic lore with the production values of a feature film. The series benefits from heavyweight showrunners Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, whose narrative depth and visual ambition demand complex set pieces, such as the high‑rise pole stunt that placed actor Walton Goggins in a physically taxing position. By investing in elaborate practical effects, the show differentiates itself in a crowded streaming market, appealing to both fans of the video game and viewers seeking immersive drama.
Goggins’ account of spending 14 hours on a pole across two days sheds light on the often‑unseen rigors actors endure to achieve realism. While safety protocols are standard, prolonged exposure to uncomfortable positions can lead to both physical strain and emotional fatigue, especially when the scene’s thematic weight is as intense as betrayal and violence. This behind‑the‑scenes insight mirrors broader industry conversations about balancing artistic authenticity with performer welfare, prompting studios to reassess stunt scheduling and on‑set support mechanisms.
The actor’s emphasis that The Ghoul remains vulnerable, despite his regenerative powers, reinforces the series’ narrative stakes and resonates with audiences craving genuine peril. Such transparency can boost viewer investment, as fans appreciate the tangible risks taken to bring their favorite characters to life. Moreover, highlighting these production challenges serves as a promotional asset for Prime Video, positioning the platform as a home for bold, high‑quality content that pushes creative boundaries while navigating the practical realities of modern television production.
Published Feb 11, 2026, 8:16 PM EST · Jennifer Chu · TV and Movie News Editor, ScreenRant
Jennifer is a TV and Movie News Editor at ScreenRant. She started her journey in entertainment media in 2022 when she first joined Valnet at CBR before coming to ScreenRant. She loves sci‑fi TV, late‑night talk shows, and binge‑watching cooking shows such as Kitchen Nightmares.
Fallout season 2 has delivered some shockingly violent moments, and Walton Goggins revealed how disturbing it was to film a particularly gruesome scene.
In Fallout season 2, episode 5, Goggins’s character, The Ghoul, betrays Lucy (Ella Purnell). He turns her into her father in exchange for information regarding his wife and child. Lucy, who was understandably hurt by his actions, shoots him with a power fist, which causes him to fall out of a window. While the incident didn’t kill him due to his regenerative abilities, it likely still hurt quite a bit. And the actor himself didn’t have a particularly fun experience filming that scene either.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, Goggins revealed that the whole experience was very “brutal” and “deeply disturbing.” He added that the discomfort of having to stay on that pole for around 14 hours for multiple days didn’t help the already‑awkward situation.
“I don’t know, it was 14 hours on the pole. Two days in a row. And it was just a deeply disturbing, emotional place to be in, to need help and for people to be walking around you, you know, much like a street in a f***ing city today. It can be very, very upsetting. But, over the course of it and the nature of this experience for him, because there are consequences in this world.”
While The Ghoul didn’t die due to that specific incident, Goggins wanted to remind fans that his character isn’t invincible. Although the character can survive injuries that humans wouldn’t be able to, he is still just as capable of dying as anyone else, so the stakes are still high for him.
Fallout seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream in full on Prime Video.

Release Date: April 10, 2024
Network: Amazon Prime Video
Showrunner: Lisa Joy, Jonathan Nolan
Directors: Frederick E. O. Toye, Wayne Che Yip, Stephen Williams, Liz Friedlander, Jonathan Nolan, Daniel Gray Longino, Clare Kilner
Writers: Lisa Joy, Jonathan Nolan
Franchise: Fallout
Creator(s): Geneva Robertson‑Dworet, Graham Wagner
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...