# Ben-Hur, A Série: go behind the scenes of the great shipwreck > Nicola Siri, who plays commander Quintus Arrius, shares how the Ben-Hur, A Série shipwreck was filmed, with a 50-ton structure and underwater scenes. URL: https://blog.univervideo.com/ben-hur-a-serie-bastidores-do-naufragio?lang=en Idioma: en Publicado em: 2026-11-02 Autor: Editorial team Categoria: Bastidores One of the most anticipated scenes of [Ben-Hur, A Série](https://www.univervideo.com/series/ben-hur-the-series) has aired: the great shipwreck. To tell how this sequence was filmed, we spoke with Nicola Siri, who plays the Roman commander Quintus Arrius, and gathered the numbers behind one of the most complex scenes of the production, streaming exclusively on Univer Vídeo. ## Judah in the galleys: the turning point Ben-Hur, A Série tells the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a noble Jew who, after suffering a great injustice, is sold into slavery and sent to the galleys. At first glance, the conditions in that harsh place, with no mercy or kindness from the Romans toward their prisoners, would rule out any chance of long-term survival. But Judah endures. Steady, strong, resolute. Because giving up is not an option for someone who swore, above all, to take revenge. On the high seas, the Roman ship is attacked by pirate vessels. What happens next, you can only find out by watching Ben-Hur, A Série, exclusively on Univer Vídeo. ## Interview: Nicola Siri, Quintus Arrius Nicola Siri brings to life Arrius, the Roman commander aboard the ship where Judah is held prisoner. Here is what he told us about the character and the shoot. **Univer: Nicola, as a native of Genoa with an international career, bringing to life a character as iconic in Roman history as Quintus Arrius carries a rich cultural and dramatic background. What was it like to dive into this figure of authority and find his humanity in the middle of such a large production?** > "Bringing my Italian roots to a role of this scale connects me very directly with the essence of the character. Quintus Arrius is not just a rigid general; he carries a very deep sense of honor and duty. The challenge was to find the vulnerability behind the Roman armor, showing that under all that authority there is a man of unshakable values." **Univer: We see Arrius commanding respect as a relentless military leader, but also revealing great character and rare generosity. How did you balance that commanding presence with the nobility of soul that defines the character?** > "The secret is understanding that a leader's true authority doesn't come from shouting, but from bearing and character. I worked on that duality behind the scenes so that, while he conveys the weight and strength of Rome, the audience can see in his eyes the integrity, empathy and justice that make him a noble man." **Univer: Arrius carries the weight and pride of a commander. Suddenly, everything collapses. What was it like to convey that drastic turn and the despair of watching everything fall apart amid the technical chaos on set?** > "It's the fall of a giant. Watching the fleet be destroyed and losing control of the situation is a Roman commander's worst nightmare. In my performance, I focused on showing that break: the shift from the unshakable man to the desolate warrior, who would rather die than dishonor his position, until the unexpected turn at sea." **Univer: Quintus Arrius is the piece that sets everything in motion in Ben-Hur's life from that moment at sea. He brings not only physical rescue, but character, honor and new paths. How do you see your character's essential role in the hero's journey?** > "Arrius is the great engine of hope in Ben-Hur's life. In Judah's darkest moment, he appears as a turning point. His impact is not just rescuing a slave from the galley, but seeing Judah's nobility and giving him the chance to rise again with dignity." **Univer: Judah loses his biological father and finds in Arrius a new father figure, a man who takes him in and sees him as a son at a moment of extreme pain. What was it like to build such a deep and affectionate connection on screen?** > "That is the soul of the character. Arrius carries the pain of loss, and Judah is devastated by his own. When those two paths cross, it is not just a strategic alliance, it's a meeting of souls. We built that father-and-son relationship with a lot of affection and respect, creating a bond of embrace that moves the audience." **Univer: Nicola, now that this epic and memorable Arrius sequence has aired, how did it feel to see the result of your work on screen, and how do you feel it has touched the audience?** > "It's incredibly rewarding to see the final result and feel people's response. When we film, we know the scale of the project, but seeing everything finished, the combination of art, editing and the emotion of the scene, and receiving the audience's affection as they see how Arrius's relationship with Judah touched their hearts is the best reward an actor can have." ## No stunt double: the shipwreck filmed underwater The surprise for the crew was discovering that Nicola Siri is a certified diver, both freediving and with scuba gear. The production was looking for someone experienced in scuba diving, and the actor himself ended up taking on the diving scenes. ![Divers with tanks swimming among metal structures in a blue-lit studio tank during the underwater filming of the shipwreck](https://blog.univervideo.com/imagens/ben-hur-a-serie-bastidores-do-naufragio-subaquatica.webp "Underwater filming of the Ben-Hur, A Série shipwreck sequence (Press/Univer)") ## How the shipwreck was built Behind the sequence was a construction effort of gigantic proportions. The area of the Roman ship where the enslaved men rowed was built inside a huge iron structure 20 meters long, with 48 extras filling the benches. Weighing about 50 tons, roughly as much as eight adult elephants, the structure was lowered into a studio tank and moved by a crane truck. ![Iron and wood structure of the Roman ship partly submerged in the tank, held by steel cables, with crew members in wetsuits in the water and floodlights over the set](https://blog.univervideo.com/imagens/ben-hur-a-serie-bastidores-do-naufragio-estrutura.webp "Part of the structure built for the shipwreck sequence (Press/Univer)") With the set flooded, the crew filmed underwater, inside the ship. Outside, another set recreated the deck, with Arrius's cabin and a one-ton metal mast that fell in a controlled way on hinges. ![Night view of the film set with a large red crane positioning illuminated metal structures, with city buildings in the background](https://blog.univervideo.com/imagens/ben-hur-a-serie-bastidores-do-naufragio-guindaste.webp "Action scenes on a monumental scale define the series (Press/Univer)") ## The numbers behind the production It's no surprise that Ben-Hur, A Série has become a worldwide phenomenon, streaming only on Univer Vídeo. It was filmed on a blockbuster scale: - **More than 5,000 extras** have taken part in the shoot, which is still underway. - **More than 500 stunt performers** worked on the action scenes. - **UFRJ Ocean Tank:** the sequence used the largest tank in Latin America, 15 meters deep, the height of a five-story building. - **12 days of filming** for another iconic scene: Judah running across the rooftops. Want to know more about the production? Also read [everything about the Ben-Hur production](https://blog.univervideo.com/tudo-sobre-a-nova-superproducao-do-univer-ben-hur). ## Frequently asked questions about the Ben-Hur shipwreck **Who plays Quintus Arrius in Ben-Hur, A Série?** Roman commander Quintus Arrius is played by actor Nicola Siri, born in Genoa, Italy. **Where was the shipwreck scene filmed?** The sequence was filmed in a studio tank and used the UFRJ Ocean Tank, the largest in Latin America, 15 meters deep. **Where can I watch Ben-Hur, A Série?** The series streams exclusively on Univer Vídeo, on the website, in the app and on TV. ## Watch Ben-Hur, A Série Power, honor and breathtaking action: follow [Ben-Hur, A Série on its Univer Vídeo series page](https://www.univervideo.com/series/ben-hur-the-series) and press play right now. To watch the full catalog, [see the available plans](https://www.univervideo.com/subscribe). Content That Does Good.