It may be the raciest period drama on television, but filming Bridgerton’s intimate scenes are more comic than erotic thanks to an unlikely prop.
Jonathan Bailey, who plays the regency heart-throb, Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix drama, says that the actors use a “half-inflated netball” during the many sex scenes.
He told the Radio Times that the result was some “hilarious moments” for those on set. The actor explained that Bridgerton, which was watched by 82 million households worldwide last year, employs an intimacy co-ordinator to help the cast feel comfortable filming potentially embarrassing and awkward scenes. He said: “It’s amazing how the whole industry has just come on, even in a year. There are new tricks to the trade and it’s amazing what you can do with a half-inflated netball.”
Asked what exactly the actors did with such a device, he added: “Well, if there are two people doing a sex scene, the rule is they must have three barriers separating them and there are certain acts where a half-inflated netball can allow for movement without having to connect physically. It’s pretty silly really and we have some hilarious moments, but it makes it less awkward.”
Much has changed on sets when filming sex scenes after the MeToo movement and accusations from female actors of inappropriate behaviour.
