Olivia Cooke: Women Called ‘Difficult’ for Speaking Up on Intimate Scenes

Olivia Cooke, the British actress known for her role as Alicent Hightower in HBO’s House of the Dragon, has spoken out about the way women are treated on set during intimate scenes.

In an interview with The i Paper, she said actresses “often get labelled ‘difficult’ or ‘a bitch’ for speaking up” when they feel uncomfortable performing sex scenes.

Cooke, who is promoting the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series The Girlfriend, said the industry has improved in recent years thanks to the presence of intimacy coordinators on sets.

“It’s amazing to me that people had to just fudge their way through those scenes before those people existed,” she said.

The actress explained that intimacy coordinators help actors, especially women who are new to the industry, communicate their boundaries clearly. “Good intimacy coordinators become a voice for women who are hesitant about filming requests, particularly when actresses are just starting out and don’t have the vocabulary to say what they’re not comfortable with,” Cooke said. She added that intimate scenes can be filmed safely and respectfully without leaving actors feeling exposed.

“Showing intimacy, passion is an integral part of reflecting the human experience,” she said, noting that actors can take part in these scenes without feeling like “a chunk of yourself has been taken.”

The Girlfriend, which premieres on September 10, tells the story of Laura (Robin Wright), a woman with a seemingly perfect life, including a successful career, a loving husband, and her son, Daniel. Everything changes when Daniel brings home his girlfriend Cherry, played by Cooke, who disrupts the family’s world in unexpected ways.

Cooke’s comments highlight an ongoing issue in Hollywood, showing that while progress has been made, women still face judgment when setting limits during intimate scenes. Her perspective also underlines the importance of intimacy coordinators in creating a safer, more respectful working environment.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!