Gillian Anderson reveals the one part of filming sex scenes which is ‘never a joy’

Veteran actor Gillian Anderson spoke about the awkwardness of filming sex scenes and one aspect that makes them worse.

Acting for a living can come with a lot of challenges and one most don’t often consider is the logistics and workings of sex scenes.

While some sex scenes can be integral to the story, most viewers don’t think about how many takes and different shots are needed to really complete the steamy scenes.

The complexity of these scenes is also why many actors prefer there to be intimacy coordinators on set.

Speaking to the Sun, actress Gillian Anderson spoke about the ins and outs, pun intended, of filming the scenes as she promotes her latest film, The Salt Path which has a sex scene that saw her and co-star Jason Isaacs in a two-man tent on the southwest coast of England.

Anderson admitted they can occasionally prove awkward, especially when you don’t really know the actor you are working with.

Anderson spoke about the reality of shooting sex scenes as she reflected on her latest one (Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)

She said: “That is something you just expect as an actor.

"That’s part of what one does. I had an experience for many, many years working with the same actor every day.

“I’ve also done sex scenes on the first day of working, which is never a joy at any time during filming.”

Speaking about working with Isaacs, she praised the actor for being amenable.

She added: “So you’re thrown stuff all the time and just show whatever you’re given.

“And Jason makes it very easy. He’s very amenable, he’s very likeable.

“And certainly physically, we feel like we’re the same language — ­certainly by the end.

“We feel like our journey is baked into us, and we feel like we’re part of the same conversation.”

Anderson praised Isaac for being so easy and open to work with, including for their sex scenes (Black Bear)

Anderson even joked about her character Raynor Winn having sex in a tent as part of the story, simply asking why not have sex anywhere, admitting, sure, it might prove uncomfortable - but ‘needs must’

Anderson has long been a supporter of female sexual empowerment and even released a book back in 2024, entitled 'Want'.

It was a collection of anonymous female sexual fantasies and Gillian noted that one of the fantasies mentioned is her own, although she hasn’t divulged which, though its likely some fans have taken a guess at which.

She has hinted that in a follow-up book she might include more of her own secret desires.