Every actor who’s admitted to getting aroused whilst filming sex scenes
The only thing that can make filming a sex scene any more awkward is getting aroused - these actors have shared their experiences
From intimacy coordinators to careful choreography and modesty garments - there’s a lot of preparation that goes into creating a stand-out sex scene.
Although the X-rated moments we see on screen may seem natural and effortless, they’re not necessarily as sexy behind the camera as they may seem.
Actors have long talked about how a set full of people watching and bright lights in your face doesn’t exactly make the most romantic environment.
But actors are only human, and there are moments when their body gets a little carried away while filming a steamy scene with a co-star.
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Intimacy coordinators have stressed how normal this is, as while actors are of course aware that they’re not actually having sex, the body sometimes doesn’t know the difference.
And celebrities have been surprisingly open about it - so without further ado, here are all of the actors who’ve admitted to having an awkward moment on set.
Danny Dyer
EastEnders legend Danny Dyer revealed he had a rather ironic mishap while filming Straightheads with Gillian Anderson.
During a scene in the 2007 British revenge thriller movie, Dyer’s character was supposed to be struggling with erectile dysfunction.
However, it wasn’t quite going to plan.
According to the Daily Star, he admitted on the Unzipped podcast: “I did a film with Gillian Anderson, and in the scene I couldn’t get it up. In real life, I was aroused.”
James McAvoy
Although he didn’t speak about a specific movie or TV show, James McAvoy also opened up on issues he’s faced in the past.
He told The Times in 2013: “I’ve had the merest hint of an erection a couple of times.
“It’s usually so uncomfortable that it’s more about making it look like you’re really going for this person, while convincing the person that you’re not having a good time. While at the same time not making them feel like you’re saying ‘Don’t worry, I’m not enjoying it, because you’re f***ing stinking!”
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill found himself in an unfortunate situation while filming the historical drama series The Tudors, which he starred in between 2007 and 2010.
As reported by NME, he told Men’s Fitness: “It’s only happened to me once, and it was very embarrassing.
“A girl had to be on top of me; she had spectacular breasts, and I hadn’t rearranged my… stuff into a harmless position. She’s basically rubbing herself all over me and, um, it got a bit hard.”
He explained: “I had to apologise profusely afterward. It’s not great when you’re in a professional acting environment, and somebody gets a boner, is it? No, not acceptable.”
Joe Jonas
Joe Jonas’ mishap occurred when filming a music video rather than a movie or TV show.
You’ll never watch DNCE's ‘Body Moves’ music video the same way again.
According to PEOPLE, the singer and actor previously admitted on Reddit: “There was definitely some half chubbing going on during the video. I wouldn’t say a full-blown boner, but I would say a halfie.”
He added: "I mean, it’s kind of hard not to in that situation, especially when you’re trying to be intimate.”
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor revealed he became aroused during a raunchy scene with Alice Krige during the BBC play Scarlet And Black back in 1993.
According to MailOnline, he recalled: "I had to lie on top of her, and they kept on pulling back the sheet.
“They wanted to see my naked bum and her naked thigh, so we couldn't wear any underwear.
“It was very embarrassing. It was a case of, ‘Cut! We'll go again.’ I calmed myself down, and we just got on with the scene.”
Michael Vartan
Michael Vartan actually told Drew Barrymore that their famous ‘mound’ scene together in the 1999 rom-com Never Been Kissed caused some, ahem, feelings.
According to Life&Style Magazine, during a September 2021 cast reunion on Barrymore’s show, he told his former co-star: “Yeah, there’s a story about the famous scene that very few people know about and I’m not sure I should…”
He continued: “So, I get up to the mound, we embrace, and we start kissing, and you really kissed me. I mean, you really kissed me.
“I was not ready for it in the least, and I’m a man, I was a very young man back then, and I had uh, feelings.”
He said it ‘just happened’ and he ‘very quickly realized he was in a very bad spot’.
Vartan hilariously explained: “I was wearing very loose sort of like slacks and I thought, ‘This is going to be a disaster when they cut, I must preemptively end this.'”
“So what I did, in a panic, I just yelled cut, and bent over and said, ‘Oh guys, sorry, my back, I put my back out playing ball.’. Anyway, I went off into my corner, and finally I was able to compose myself.
“Luckily, the subsequent scenes went on without a hitch.h You are a very good kisser!”
Terrence Howard
Taraji P.Henson hilariously shared how her Empire co-star Terrence Howard’s body would sometimes get carried away during sex scenes.
As reported by the magazine, the actress told New York station Power 105.1: “[Men] can’t help if they get aroused. Every time we were lying there, he was talking to his male member, ‘No, don’t do that. Taraji’s going to punch me.’
“So, I said, ‘You know I will sock you right in the throat.’ And then he goes ‘OK, I’m going to keep my pants on.'”
Scott Eastwood
Clint Eastwood's son, Scott Eastwood, admitted he was ‘turned on’ while filming sex scenes with his Longest Ride co-star Britt Robertson.
As per Entertainment Tonight, he said in an interview with PridesSource: "Being in a shower with a beautiful, sexy woman - I was
turned on! I had fun!”
Oc Ukeje
Nigerian actor and model Oc Ukeje didn’t go into the specifics but revealed that he’d also experienced an award-winning sex scene moment.
He told Punch Newspaper: “It has happened to me before. You can find a girl super attractive, and when you guys are kissing, blood starts flowing southward.
“But I generally just try to remember that it is a job and I do what I have to do and leave the place.”
Jesse Metcalfe
Finally, Jesse Metcalfe admitted there was a moment where he ‘needed a minute’ during the filming of Desperate Housewives.
According to Life&Style Magazine, he recalled: “In the first scene we ever had, where Gabriella and John first had sex, we were rehearsing and then the director was like, ‘OK, get out of bed, we have to reset the set’, and I was like, ‘I need a minute’.”
Topics: Danny Dyer, Celebrity, Joe Jonas, Sex Education, TV And Film, Entertainment, Sex and Relationships
Madison Burgess