Russell T Davies has publicly rebuked prominent actors who downplay the necessity of intimacy coordinators, labelling their sentiments as “privileged” and underscoring the vital protection these professionals offer to less powerful performers on set.
The acclaimed creator behind series such as *It’s a Sin* and *Queer as Folk* specifically called out *Iron Man* star Gwyneth Paltrow in comments to The Mirror, referring to actors holding such dismissive views as “disgraceful human beings.”
Paltrow had previously stated that she requested an intimacy coordinator to “step back” during intimate scenes with Timothée Chalamet in *The Politician*, citing that she felt “very stifled” by the guidance.
Davies’s remarks come ahead of the release of his new Channel 4 drama, *Tip Toe*, which is set to feature explicit scenes filmed in Manchester’s vibrant Canal Street district.
Ray BurmistonSince the advent of the #MeToo movement, intimacy coordinators have become an integral component of numerous productions, tasked with ensuring the safety and comfort of actors during the filming of intimate sequences.
Addressing Paltrow’s perspective, Davies asserted that actors of her stature often lack empathy for the experiences of less influential performers on set, stating, “They have so much power and so much privilege, and they have no idea what it is like to be a jobbing actor with no power on a set. Shame on them.”
Paltrow, a recipient of an Oscar in 1999 for *Shakespeare in Love*, a film produced by Harvey Weinstein, was later among the first high-profile figures to publicly accuse him of sexual harassment. She has appeared in numerous Marvel films as Pepper Potts and in the Netflix series *The Politician*, but considers *The Politician* her first significant dramatic role since 2010’s *Country Strong*.
Getty ImagesIn March of this year, Paltrow recounted an instance where the film’s intimacy coordinator inquired about her comfort level with a specific move during an intimate scene with Chalamet. She remarked, “I was like ‘girl, I’m from the era where you get naked, you get in bed, the camera’s on.'”
She continued, “We said ‘I think we’re good. You can step a little bit back.’ I don’t know how it is for kids who are starting out, but… if someone is like, ‘OK, and then he’s going to put his hand here,’ I would feel, as an artist, very stifled by that.”
Paltrow’s viewpoint echoes sentiments previously expressed by actors Kim Basinger and Sean Bean.
In February, Basinger, who starred opposite Mickey Rourke in the 1986 drama *9 1/2 Weeks*, told Variety that she would not have welcomed an intimacy coordinator on set, believing actors should be capable of navigating such scenes collaboratively.
Similarly, in August 2022, *Game of Thrones* star Sean Bean commented that intimacy coordinators could potentially “spoil the spontaneity” of scenes.
Getty ImagesConversely, a significant number of actors have lauded the role of intimacy coordinators, highlighting their contribution to safer and more comfortable filming environments by choreographing intimate scenes akin to stunt sequences.
Many have also expressed a desire for such support to have been available earlier in their careers.
In 2022, Dame Emma Thompson described the role as “fantastically important,” while Kate Winslet stated in 2024 that she believed having an intimacy coordinator throughout her career would have been beneficial.
Reflecting on her experiences filming intimate scenes, Winslet mentioned that having “someone in my corner” would have provided reassurance, noting that she often felt compelled to “stand up for myself” on set.
Channel 4Davies’ forthcoming five-part series, *Tip Toe*, centers on Clive, an electrician and father of two teenage sons, and Leo, the proprietor of a bar in Manchester’s Canal Street LGBTQ+ district.
This new series follows Davies’ critically acclaimed works *It’s a Sin* and *Queer as Folk*, both of which explored LGBTQ+ life in and around Manchester.
Director Phil Collinson, who previously collaborated with Davies on *It’s a Sin*, also voiced strong support for intimacy coordinators, acknowledging their invaluable contribution during the production of the award-winning drama.
“I’d never done it before – it’s an incredible experience,” Collinson stated.
“Before that point, I was just left out there. It was like ‘go on, make this sexy’.
“And then it’d be me and two actors all looking at each other and lots of people with their arms folded.”
Business Style Takeaway: The debate surrounding intimacy coordinators highlights a growing awareness of safeguarding and consent within creative industries. For global businesses, understanding these evolving cultural norms is crucial for fostering ethical practices and ensuring authentic representation, which directly impacts brand reputation and audience connection.
Information compiled from materials : www.bbc.com