The toolkit of a film’s intimacy coach – used on set to ensure actors are comfortable and scenes look realistic – is diverse, Bridgerton’s new leading man Jonathan Bailey shared this week.
Speaking to the Radio Times, the actor – who plays Viscount Anthony Bridgerton – revealed he had been instructed to use a half-deflated netball when reenacting lustful scenes in the second season of the Simone Ashley-played Kate Sharma show.
The semi-flat sports device allows the actors to move against each other in a realistic continent without touching the intimate parts of the body.
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New actor: The actor, who plays Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, takes over the lead role, with the show focusing on his romance with Kate Sharma, played by Simone Ashley
Jonathan Bailey, who plays Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, is pictured in the trailer for the second season of the hit Netflix series and this week spoke about how the new series’ sex scenes were shot
The second season of Bridgerton premieres on Netflix March 25 and uses Lizzy Talbot (pictured in the middle of the first series with Phoebe Dynevor and Rege Jean Page) as the same intimacy coordinator as the first series
Bailey stated, “It’s amazing how the entire industry has evolved, even in a year. There are new tricks on the market – little pillows – and it’s amazing what you can do with a half-inflated netball.”
Explaining the use of the net ball, the actor said: “When two people are engaged in a sex scene, they must have three barriers separating them and there are certain acts where a half-inflated net ball can allow movement without this happening is to be physically connected. ‘
Bridgerton season 2 arrives on Netflix March 25 and uses Lizzy Talbot, the same intimacy coordinator as the first series.
Yesterday, she tweeted her delight at helping bring the scenes between Bailey and Ashley to life, saying, “There’s nothing quite like working with these two heroes.”
On Lorraine in 2021, Bailey revealed how flesh-colored paint was used to make it look like his rear end was exposed during an outdoor love scene
“It’s pretty goofy, but we have some hilarious moments”: Bridgerton’s lead actor Jonathan Bailey shared the bizarre methods the crew uses when filming the show’s sex scenes
Bailey was pictured during the final series of the hit Netflix show, which quickly made a name for itself for its raunchy scenes
Bailey has also praised Talbot’s work on the set, saying “It’s actually quite goofy and we have some hilarious moments, but it makes it less awkward.”
It’s not the first time the actor has unearthed some of the secrets of the show’s intimacy coordinators.
When they appeared on Lorraine last year to promote the first series, they told the daytime TV host how his underwear-covered bottom had been painted with flesh-colored makeup for an outdoor love scene in front of a tree.
Other tricks commonly used to make raunchy scenes sing include aloe vera to prevent chafing — especially when actors spend hours re-filming, mints to ensure kisses are palatable to both parties, and Nipple daisies to allow intimate scenes to take place with a certain modesty.
The Intimacy Coordinator’s Toolkit
Intimacy coordinators often develop a choreographed routine where the actors know exactly whose hands are going where and when.
In other cases, they take a more casual “paint-by-numbers” approach, where a part of the body, such as from the neck to the lower back, can be freely worked on.
But both performers in the scene will know that there is no entry beyond this designated area…
Half-Deflated Netball – used on Series two by Bridgerton, a half-deflated netball, keeps distance between the two actors involved but makes intimate scenes look realistic
nipple daisy – to cover an actor’s areola and ensure only the lateral breast is visible
A half-deflated netball can prove a useful ally in maintaining a barrier between actors while still allowing for natural-appearing movement. Right: Nipples are used to cover an actor’s areola
Heat packs are used under robes to keep actors warm between takes
Hibue / Shibue – Strapless thongs in different skin tones that cling to the pelvis and prevent genitals from touching
Merkins – a pubic ridge often used in historical dramas or as an extra covering
Flesh colored underwearR – These can be long enough to cover thighs and with the right color the match stays invisible
Small cushions filled with lambswool – creating a barrier between actors’ genitals during sex scenes
mints – to freshen breath for kissing scenes, especially after an actor takes a cigarette break
glycerin and water spray – to create the illusion of beads of sweat during/after intense sex scenes
heating pad – Used under robes to keep actors warm between takes
Aloe vera gel – Soothes skin chafed or irritated by modest clothing
Aloe vera gel is considered a helpful lube to stop chafing between actors filming the same scenes many times… and breath mints are used to freshen an actor’s breath between takes
The show’s latest season in Phoebe Dyvenor returns as Daphne Basset, with Jonathan Bailey taking on a more central role as Anthony Bridgerton
Sex scene coordinator Vanessa Coffey, who worked with Billie Piper on Sky Atlantic series I Hate Suzie and Daisy Edgar-Jones on HG Wells’ War Of The Worlds, told the Mail in 2021 that there’s a certain poetry organize intimate moments between actors.
“Choreographing a sex scene is very similar to choreographing a dance. The actors need to know exactly where hands are going, where body parts are going to be, what will or will not be visible on camera,” said Vanessa.
“Many have areas, whether it’s their nipples or their intergluteal cleft (butt crack, for you and me) that they don’t like showing on screen, so we have to respect and accommodate that with careful camera set-up.”
Bridgerton Season 2 will be released on Netflix on Friday, March 25th.
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