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Sean Bean Slams Intimacy Coordinators, Twitter Claps Back

The Game of Thrones actor says intimacy coordinators make sex scenes "a technical exercise."
  • Sean Bean (Photo:Derek Storm/Everett Collection)
    Sean Bean (Photo:Derek Storm/Everett Collection)

    In an interview with the UK's The Times Magazine, Game of Thrones actor Sean Bean said intimacy coordinators "spoil the spontaneity" of shooting sex scenes

    "It would inhibit me more because it's drawing attention to things," Bean said of having an intimacy coordinator in the room. "Somebody saying, 'Do this, put your hands there, while you touch his thing…'"

    He added, "I think the natural way lovers behave would be ruined by someone bringing it right down to a technical exercise."

    Bean then discussed his experience filming the 1993 adaptation of Lady Chatterly's Lover, in which he starred opposite Joely Richardson.

    "Lady Chatterly was spontaneous," Bean said. "It was a joy. We had a good chemistry between us, and we knew what we were doing was unusual. Because she was married, I was married. But we were following the story. We were trying to portray the truth of what DH Lawrence wrote."

    He also discussed his current TV series, Snowpiercer, in which he stars alongside Lena Hall. And when the interviewer pointed out that intimacy coordinators help to protect actors after #MeToo, Bean said, "I suppose it depends on the actress. This one [referring to Hall] had a musical cabaret background, so she was up for anything."

    The response from readers of Bean's statements was swift and overwhelmingly negative, as many on Twitter lambasting the actor for not understanding that intimacy coordinators prevent assault and harassment on set.

    One Twitter user wrote, "An intimacy co-ordinator is there to protect and support often vulnerable, often young, often female actors in situations that have on many occasions in the past led to pressure, exploitation, or regret. It's a vital role, that is long overdue in the business."

    Another wrote, "It's about consent and people being comfortable Sean. There's bigger things in the world than the spontaneity of acting."

    Others also pointed out that the same would not be said of any other types of scenes, such as those involving fighting or stunts, where stunt coordinators are required but do not get accused of ruining the "spontaneity" of the scene.

    Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.

    TOPICS: Sean Bean, Game of Thrones, Snowpiercer, Twitter