Dakota Johnson reveals what it's really like for her filming sex scenes and why it 'doesn't feel good'

Despite landing some raunchy roles, Dakota Johnson has revealed filming sex scenes 'doesn't feel good'.

The 35-year-old Texas-born actress made her breakthrough when she landed the lead role in the erotic Fifty Shades movie series between 2015 to 2018, during which her character, Anastasia Steele, became embroiled in a sadomasochistic relationship with Christian Grey, brought to life by Jamie Dornan.

However, despite there being many, many, sex scenes, of which there are around seven in just the first film alone, Johnson revealed the vibe isn't exactly 'sexy' when the cameras are rolling.

The How to Be Single star, who recently appeared to confirm her separation from her former long-term partner of eight years, musician Chris Martin from Coldplay, even said it 'doesn't feel good' and has been left filming some scenes solo.

There were many a raunchy moment in the movies (Universal Pictures)

Speaking on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast, Johnson was asked how she hypes herself up or prepares for the impending sex scenes, to which she said: "I don't have to. I'm, like, always psyched up for sex."

The star explained that she has worked with an intimacy coordinator recently to help hone her prowess - and to become more comfortable with the scenes - though opted against using a Pilates ball during particularly steamy moments.

"I recently did a movie a few months ago, and we had an intimacy coordinator on set and it was the first time I've ever worked with one, and she was really great," she said.

The star says she's always prepared for a scene (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

"It was so cool, because I'm so used to just you know, like... It's a sex scene. It's not sexy, it doesn’t feel good.'"

Explaining why, Johnson described what a sex scene is to the professionals on screen.

"A sex scene is when two actors pretend that they're having sex. And you do all the things except have sex. And you have to make sounds like you're having sex, and you're not...yet," she laughed.

Johnson added: "A lot of it also is like, there are times when I've done a sex scene where I'm by myself 'cause I'm only in the frame, so I'm just like, gyrating on my own and moaning... or like slamming myself into a headboard."

Johnson said it's all about being comfortable with her body too (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)

As for how she gets into the moment, she says it entirely depends on the type of character she's portraying.

"First I think it depends on who is the character, and who is the character supposed to be to the audience. Is she like a super idolized hot girl, is she like a housewife, is she lonely, is she scared, is she conservative, you know? So that's obviously character work, so certain prep I guess would go into it," Johnson said.

The actress also says she needs to feel comfortable in her own skin.

"I want to feel good in my body," she added. "If I'm showing my body... my mom raised to me to be really, really proud of my body and love my body, so I've always felt so grateful for that, especially in my work, because I can use it and it feels like, real."

Her mom also taught her how 'precious and important' sex is, adding: "So I guess in my work... it's something that I feel brave with and that I feel when it's used the right way in a story, it's important."