Search icon

Entertainment

25th Jun 2021

Fair City actor was recovering from sepsis during intense scenes

Sarah McKenna Barry

RTÉ brought in measures to ensure Rodrigo Ternevoy was supported during his recovery.

Actor Rodrigo Ternevoy, who plays Cristiano San Martin on Fair City, has shared that he was recovering from septicaemia during the filming of intense scenes on the Irish soap opera.

Ternevoy contracted the infection in 2019 while visiting his home country Brazil. The actor shared that he was supported  by the show’s bosses who had measures put in place as they filmed the domestic violence scenes. This included a stunt double who could step in for Ternevoy.

The story-line saw Rodrigo’s character suffer domestic violence at the hands of his partner Will Casey.

He spoke about his illness in an interview with the Irish Mirror.

“I fell ill because of a bacteria no one could explain how I got or even where I got it from,” he said.

The actor told the publication that the experience was “very scary” and left him “extra cautious.”

“I ended up in hospital for two months, had to have a surgery,” he said. “It was the scariest time of my life, a real proof that life is indeed short.”

Ternevoy spoke about how he felt the impact of his illness while filming the soap opera in recovery.

“I’d say the toughest was no doubt the scenes leading up to the final assault. They were very intense – emotionally and physically.”

He continued: “I had just been released from hospital due to an unexpected illness and some of the choreography was quite demanding.

“I was still recovering from a surgery and RTE made sure we had a stunt person on set to make sure I was safe.”

Ternevoy said that the intense nature of the scenes impacted him as well.

“This is indeed a very intense and complicated storyline and the fact that this is reality for so many people out there has definitely taken a toll on me.

“Anyone involved so deeply in a storyline like this would feel the same I have no doubt.”

The actor told RTÉ that he hopes the soap will encourage anyone experiencing domestic violence to seek help.

He said: ” I can only hope that this particular storyline can help them in some way, perhaps even to seek the help they need.”