House of the Dragon star Olivia Cooke opens up on sex scenes and double standards in the franchise

Olivia Cooke, the actor who plays Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, has recently discussed her experience of filming s*x scenes. She was outspoken regarding the failures of the intimate scenes and how the entertainment industry tends to have various expectations of male and female actors.

According to Movieweb, Olivia Cooke claimed that "showing intimacy" and "passion" is a big part of "reflecting the human experience" but actors and actresses should be able to shoot those kinds of scenes without ending up feeling as though a "chunk of yourself has been taken."

Her comments have brought out debate on gender relations and professionalism in Hollywood. Cooke pointed out that shooting s*x scenes is a very professional undertaking that needs to be communicated with a sense of clarity and respect.

She observed that actors must never feel coerced or insecure and that intimacy coordinators have to play a critical role in keeping scenes responsible and respectful.

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Boundaries and professional respect

One of the main aspects of Cooke's discussion is the importance of personal boundaries. She also emphasized how women are judged more than others in terms of claiming the level of comfort. According to Movieweb, Cooke states that actresses who cross some boundaries or show resistance in the s*x scenes "often get labeled 'difficult'" or " 'a b--h' for speaking up" and publicly criticized even though they are acting as professionals.

It is a greater instance of two-sidedness in Hollywood where men seldom receive the same scrutiny. The words spoken by Cooke highlight the pressures that female actors experience and how these judgments could influence the on-set experience and the perception in the press.

The mentioned dynamic is especially applicable in House of the Dragon since intimate scenes play a significant role in the plot and involve both expertise and planning.

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Safe filming practices and intimacy coordinators in House of the Dragon

Olivia Cooke also complimented the services of intimacy coordinators, which have now become a typical aspect of production, such as House of the Dragon. These experts assist in choreographing intimate scenes, keep the boundaries of actors in place, and maintain communication between actors and directors.

Intimacy coordinators present on set also allow actors to be confident when performing complex or sensitive scenes because they know that their own personal comfort is being put first. Cooke emphasized that such practices are the key to providing a safe and professional atmosphere in which actors can concentrate on their performances without worrying about exploitation and discomfort.

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Addressing double standards in Hollywood

Cooke pointed out that the scrutiny that female actors have to endure during s*x scenes transcends the set. There is a tendency to overrepresent women in the scope of public and media responses that support inappropriate stereotypes and gender prejudice.

She emphasized the fact that all must be treated equally, irrespective of gender, and should be professional on and off set. Her remarks are in line with the larger discourses in the industry surrounding gender equity and representation, particularly in shows such as House of the Dragon, where sexually explicit material is a major influence on narrative.

The attitude of Cooke urges the industry to question these two-fold standards and adhere to very stable and equitable practices.

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Normalizing conversations about s*x scenes and actor safety in

Lastly, the candor of Olivia Cooke adds to an emerging discourse on the topic of professionalism, consent, and respect in film and TV. Through her stories, she underlines that intimate scenes may be safely shot when the limits of the actors are respected and communication is a priority.

Her statements also point to the necessity of altering the perception of female actors once they declare their level of comfort. The advantage of such production houses, such as House of the Dragon, is that actors feel safe, limits are not crossed, and safety and equity are valued both on the set and in public.

Also read: "Made him cry!": Olivia Cooke recalls this House of the Dragon Season 2 filming incident where she "had to slap Tom Glynn-Carney"