Emma Mackey’s popular Netflix drama Sex Education has come to an end with its fourth season being the final one. Known for its relatable themes and candid approach to otherwise ‘taboo’ subjects, it has gained a considerable fan following over the years. Just days after the release of its last season, the intimacy coordinator of the show spoke about how nice it was to work with the show’s lead stars.
While the young stars of today respect and are grateful to have ‘intimacy co-ordinators’ on set, veterans like Michael Cain recently expressed their surprise to have them on set.
Intimacy Co-Ordinator Praises Emma Mackey For Her Professionalism
Netflix’s Sex Education is known for candid storytelling and exploring themes related to s*xuality, relationships, and adolescence while also representing a diverse cast of characters authentically. With its last season furthering into such themes, the intimacy co-ordinator, David Thackeray sat down in an interview with Collider to reveal how it was working with Emma Mackey and Asa Butterfield.
“They’re so professional and so on when it comes to the intimate scenes, and they’re asking the questions from how we were in Season 2 to where we are now. They’re like, yeah, maybe this position or that doesn’t make sense for this moment, especially for those two moments of where it’s kind of stop and start, and it doesn’t really go anywhere, but you could say they’re quite similar. So, it’s about trying to find a difference in that where, how far in this relationship are we? So yeah, I mean working with them too this season, it’s a joy.”
Thackeray’s revelation about Mackey and Butterfield shows how beneficial it has been for actors to have intimate co-ordinates on set. However, some wouldn’t agree with them. Recently Hollywood veteran, Michael Caine was under fire for allegedly calling them redundant.
Michael Caine On Having Intimacy Co-Ordinators On Set
Over the past few years, intimacy coordinators have been crucial in improving working conditions and the overall well-being of actors, particularly female ones. Not only have they helped actors clearly establish boundaries but have also advocated for actors in case of any coercion and discomfort.
Many actors have praised how work conditions have changed thanks to them. However, the veteran actor Michael Caine was recently asked in an interview with Daily Mail about what he thought of intimacy coordinators, and the actor couldn’t believe that they existed.
“Really? Seriously? What are they? We never had that in my day. Thank god I’m 90 and don’t play lovers anymore is all I can say. In my day you just did the love scene and got on with it without anyone interfering. It’s all changed.”
While he didn’t exactly call them redundant or a nuisance, his comments caused a wild mix of reactions on social media. Many argued that such comments are baseless now for intimacy coordinators are crucial for the production process to maintain a respectful and safer work environment.
While others argued that earlier actors relied on communication and professionalism, an equal amount countered them by citing instances of abuse and coercion that often took place on set due to lack of advocacy. In the end, Caine’s comments have shed light on how the dynamics of the film industry have changed.
Sex Education can be streamed on Netflix.
Source: Collider and Daily Mail
