Actress Gemma Arterton said a director pressured her to film a sex scene that was written to take place off-camera during an interview with Radio Times published online Tuesday.
The famous actress said she was very uncomfortable and “flat out” rejected the director’s demand to engage in the sex scene.
“I remember being on a set once and the director said, ‘you’re going to shag on the bed.'”
“No, this scene was written for us to be off screen, so you just hear the noises,” Arterton recalled responding.
“I’d never have accepted the role if it was going to be filmed,” she told Radio Times.
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 03: Gemma Arterton attends the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 03, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/WireImage/Getty Images)
The actress refused to identify the famous director, but did mention she worked with him when she was an adult. She was well-versed in the industry when he was allegedly instructing her to engage in the unplanned sex act, but she said she had the confidence to push back against suggestions that were outside of her comfort zone.
“He put pressure on us on the day,” Arterton admitted.
She went on to share what it was like to process this information on the spot.
“The other actor, God bless him, was mortified,” Arterton said.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Gemma Arterton attends the European Premiere of “The Critic” at The Curzon Mayfair on September 02, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/WireImage) Getty Images
“There were very high-profile people there. I said, ‘You can’t do that, I’m flat out not doing it. I don’t care if you think I’m difficult.’ But I only felt like I could say that because I was older,” she told Radio Times.
The actress was asked how she would have managed the situation if she had been younger at the time.
“It would have been really hard. You might get the sack or get a terrible reputation,” she admitted.
SANTA MARGHERITA DI PULA, ITALY – JUNE 21: Gemma Arterton attends the red carpet of the Filming Italy 2024 on June 21, 2024 in Santa Margherita di Pula, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images)
“It was before we had intimacy coordinators, who are the go-between now – it’s a totally different landscape. Anything you’re not comfortable with is not going to happen,” she said.
“I’ve heard other actors that are like, ‘I loved it when there was no intimacy coordinator,’ but I definitely think it’s better.” (RELATED: Gina Gershon Describes Sex Scene With Tom Cruise That Took An Unexpected Turn)
Arterton appeared alongside Daniel Craig in the James Bond movie “Quantum of Solace” and is currently starring in “The Critic.”
