Filming sex scenes and emotionally demanding performances can be uncomfortable for actors, particularly when balancing expectations with personal boundaries. Speaking up can also be especially challenging for female performers, who may fear being labelled as difficult or uncooperative.
Florence Pugh has discussed both experiences on The Louis Theroux Podcast, describing an 'awkward' encounter with an intimacy coordinator. She also recalled a male co-star defending her when a director requested repeated takes of an exhausting scene.
Why Does Speaking Up Become Difficult for Women?
Pugh noted that female actors often experience additional pressure when advocating for themselves on set. Challenging requests or questioning a director's decision can affect their professional reputation and risk labelling them as difficult or uncooperative.
'It's a bit stickier; you can't really be a problem because people will say that you're a nightmare,' she said.
She described filming an emotionally demanding crying scene that required her to hit specific emotional beats on certain lines. The scene took about six takes, with Pugh building up emotion from scratch each time.
'And we did it maybe six times, and each time you have to start with no tears and then gear up. So you have to stay in it. And we got it, and the director wanted to go again,' she recalled.
Florence Pugh Explains Why Women Can’t Push Back on Set Without Being Called a Nightmare
— Murna Elisa (@Murnalisa_) November 10, 2026
Florence Pugh: “We did a crying scene maybe six times, and each time you have to start with no tears and work your way up.”
“The director wanted to go again, even after we’d done it six… pic.twitter.com/9Cwb5LKy9R
However, her male co-star, believing the scene was already complete, approached the director to argue that she had met the performance requirements. The director subsequently agreed.
This experience led Pugh to consider how others might have responded if she had made the same request herself. She believes that if she had spoken up similarly, it 'wouldn't have been received well'.
What Has She Experienced With Intimacy Coordinators?
Pugh also discussed her experiences working with intimacy coordinators. These interactions have shaped her understanding of their role in filmmaking.
The actress noted that prior to the widespread presence of intimacy coordinators on film sets, directors sometimes requested actions she considered 'completely inappropriate'. Although she welcomed their support, Pugh admitted her experiences were not always positive.
'My view is changing about it as well, because I'm now having fantastic experiences with intimacy coordinators,' she explained.
'However, that being said, I've also had a s*** example where someone just made it so weird and so awkward and really wasn't helpful and kind of was just like wanting to be a part of the set in a way that wasn't helpful, and I think it's a job that's still figuring itself out.'
Andrew Garfield reveals that he and Florence Pugh accidentally took their sex scene WAY too far while filming after nobody called “cut.”
— Mr. Rager. (@ragergalactic) November 10, 2026
He says they kept going because the scene felt so natural, until they eventually realized it was lasting much longer than expected. When… pic.twitter.com/pex9VnJ3Ce
Pugh's experiences highlighted the distinction between the profession and the varying approaches of individual coordinators. While some coordinators may make filming less comfortable, others help highlight the value of their role.
'When I worked with a fantastic coordinator, I was like, "Oh, this is what I've been missing, understanding the dance of intimacy as opposed to just shooting a sex scene,"' she said. 'There are good ones and bad ones, and it's through the good ones that I have learned how effective it can really be.'
Pugh's comments reflect broader discussions among Hollywood performers regarding the role of intimacy coordinators. Jennifer Lawrence, Mikey Madison, and Gwyneth Paltrow have also shared their experiences, including decisions to limit or forgo intimacy coordinators for certain intimate scenes.
What Are Coordinators Expected To Do During Production?
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) recommends intimacy coordinators for scenes involving nudity or simulated sex. Their responsibilities include setting performers' boundaries, choreographing intimate scenes, and ensuring ongoing consent during filming.
Its training standards address consent, movement coaching, conflict resolution, and harassment prevention. Coordinators are expected to respect agreed boundaries and facilitate communication between performers and production teams.
