Olivia Cooke Says Women Are Still Labeled ‘Difficult’ for Setting Boundaries in S*x Scenes

Olivia Cooke, known for her role as Alicent Hightower in HBO’s House of the Dragon, has spoken out about the challenges women face on set when filming sex scenes.

In an interview with The i Paper, Cooke said actresses “often get labelled ‘difficult’ or ‘a bitch’ for speaking up” when they are uncomfortable with intimate performances.

Cooke is currently promoting the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series The Girlfriend, starring alongside Robin Wright.

She praised the changes the film and TV industry has made in recent years, particularly the introduction 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,” Cooke said.

The actress explained that intimacy coordinators serve as a voice for actors, especially women who are new to the industry and may not yet have the language to clearly express their boundaries.

“Good intimacy coordinators become a voice for women who are hesitant about filming requests,” she said. Cooke believes these professionals make it possible to film intimate scenes while still respecting actors’ comfort and safety.

Cooke also emphasized that intimate scenes are an important part of storytelling. “Showing intimacy, passion is an integral part of reflecting the human experience,” she said. She added that when handled correctly, these scenes can be filmed without actors feeling like “a chunk of yourself has been taken.”

In The Girlfriend, which premieres on September 10, Cooke plays Cherry, the girlfriend of Daniel, the son of Robin Wright’s character Laura. The series explores how Cherry’s arrival changes Laura’s seemingly perfect life, which includes a successful career, a loving husband, and her son.

Cooke’s comments highlight the ongoing conversation in Hollywood about consent, boundaries, and respect on set. She shows that while progress has been made, ensuring safety and comfort for actors, especially in intimate scenes, remains essential.

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