Ferguson Calls Intimacy Coordinators “Off‑Putting”: Here’s Why.
Rebecca Ferguson, the British‑Swedish actress known for Dune, Mission: Impossible, and the new Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, has shared her candid thoughts on the growing use of intimacy coordinators in the film industry. While she acknowledges their value, Ferguson admits she personally finds their presence “very off‑putting.”
Barry Keoghan fixes Rebecca Ferguson’s dress as they pose for photos on the “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man” red carpet with Cillian Murphy and Tim Roth. pic.twitter.com/hcH6t21RfY
— Variety (@Variety) March 11, 2026
“I Have Enormous Boundaries and I Can Verbalise Them”
Speaking to Radio Times, Ferguson said that although intimacy coordinators can be essential for many actors, she prefers to handle sensitive scenes through direct communication with her co‑stars.
“I think it’s wonderful that we can have intimacy coordinators and sometimes they are needed,” she explained. “But for me, it’s very off‑putting and it makes me feel very uncomfortable, because I have enormous boundaries and I can verbalise them.”
Instead of relying on a third party, Ferguson believes actors can simply discuss their comfort levels with each other before filming intimate moments. Her approach is straightforward: establish mutual expectations, then let the scene unfold naturally.
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A Divisive Topic in Hollywood
Ferguson is far from the only actor with mixed feelings about intimacy coordinators. While many performers appreciate the safety and structure they provide, others feel they can disrupt the creative flow.
Several stars have voiced similar sentiments:
- Jennifer Lawrence revealed she skipped an intimacy coordinator while filming Die My Love with Robert Pattinson, saying she felt safe with him and didn’t need one.
- Florence Pugh has spoken about encountering both “good and bad” coordinators, admitting that some made scenes feel “weird and awkward.”
- Gwyneth Paltrow once asked a coordinator to “step back” during a scene with Timothée Chalamet.
- Dave Franco and Alison Brie, married in real life, also opted out while filming Together.
The Screen Actors Guild describes intimacy coordinators as advocates who ensure safety, consent, and clarity during scenes involving nudity or simulated sex. But as Ferguson points out, not every actor feels they need that level of oversight.
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Preparing for Intimate Scenes With Cillian Murphy
Ferguson stars opposite Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, which premiered on Netflix on March 20. The pair share a significant intimate scene, and Ferguson approached it with her trademark honesty — and a bit of humor.
She admitted to Murphy that she had been “studying” his previous sex scenes to prepare. His reaction? Mild horror.
“He went, ‘That’s really weird and awkward,’” she recalled. “And I said, ‘I know, but bear with me… this is not just a regular sex scene. This is a moment of release. This is a moment of intimacy, there’s magic.’”
Ferguson Isn’t Afraid to Speak Up
The actress has recently made headlines for calling out an unnamed “idiot” co‑star who made her cry on set earlier in her career. Her willingness to speak openly — whether about mistreatment or industry practices — has earned her a reputation for refreshing bluntness.
And when it comes to intimacy coordinators, Ferguson’s stance is clear: they’re valuable, but not for her.