Gemma Arterton Speaks Out About Director’s Pressure to Film Unscripted Sex Scene

British actress Gemma Arterton has opened up about a troubling experience on set where a director attempted to coerce her into filming a sex scene that was not originally part of the script. In an interview with the Radio Times, released on Tuesday, Arterton detailed how the incident unfolded and her strong reaction to the director’s pressure.

According to Arterton, the unnamed director directed her and her co-star to perform a sex scene on a bed, even though the scene had not been scripted. “I said, ‘No, this scene was written for us to be off screen, so you just hear the noises,’” Arterton recounted. “I’d never have accepted the role if it was going to be filmed.” She made it clear that she had firmly rejected the idea, standing her ground despite the director’s insistence.

Reflecting on the situation, Arterton admitted that had she been younger, she might have felt more vulnerable about refusing such a request. “I only felt like I could say that because I was older,” she shared. “When I started acting, there was a lot of nudity – you were just expected to do it. When I was younger, I played sexy characters, the girlfriend. As I’ve got older, that’s changed because I’m more successful and can choose the parts I want to play.”

Arterton’s experience underscores a broader shift in the film industry, thanks in part to the #MeToo movement, which has brought about significant changes in how intimate scenes are handled. She praised the introduction of intimacy coordinators, noting that their presence has transformed the industry. “It’s a totally different landscape now,” she observed. “Anything you’re not comfortable with is not going to happen. I’ve heard other actors that are like, ‘I loved it when there was no intimacy coordinator,’ but I definitely think it’s better.”

The actress, who gained prominence with her role in the 2007 British comedy “St Trinian’s” and further cemented her career with her role as MI6 agent Strawberry Fields in the 2008 James Bond film “Quantum of Solace,” is currently starring in the British drama series “Funny Woman.” The show explores the journey of a beauty queen from Blackpool striving to make a name for herself as a comedian in 1960s England.

Arterton’s candid remarks reflect the evolving standards in the entertainment industry and highlight the importance of respecting actors’ boundaries on set.