Intimacy Coordinator: Why Productions Need One

In mainstream film, intimate scenes have dropped sharply. In 2000, fewer than 20% of top-grossing films had no sexual content. By 2023, that number had risen to nearly 50%. On television, the change is less about quantity and more about intention—fewer scenes overall, but more thought behind each one.

Today, intimacy is rarely added for shock or spectacle. It’s scripted with care, guided by consent, and often reworked to better serve the story.

This shift has brought a new role to the spotlight: the intimacy coordinator. They help productions plan and manage scenes involving physical or emotional intimacy—quietly protecting everyone involved. But how do they work? And why do so many sets now consider them essential?

Read on as we discuss the following:

What an intimacy coordinator actually does and why the role became necessary
Where the role is used and who gets trained to be one
How they support both cast and crew
Whether they restrict creative freedom

At the end of this article, you’ll understand why intimacy coordinators are becoming a non-negotiable on modern film and TV sets.

What is an intimacy coordinator?

An intimacy coordinator is a trained professional who helps guide scenes involving physical or emotional intimacy. They ensure these moments are handled safely, respectfully, and with clear consent from all involved. Their work includes discussing boundaries with actors, choreographing scenes in detail, and creating a space where performers feel protected before, during, and after filming.

For example, if a script calls for a kiss or a sex scene, the intimacy coordinator will meet with the actors beforehand to agree on exactly what will happen—where someone will touch, how long the scene will last, and what’s off-limits. They’ll then work with the director to make sure the choreography fits the story, while still respecting the actors’ boundaries.

Unlike a director, they don’t supervise the scene for its artistic outcome—they focus purely on safety and consent. Their job is to ensure that every movement is agreed upon and that nothing crosses the line, even under pressure or retakes.

Why the role exists

For years, intimate scenes were filmed with little planning and few safeguards. Actors—especially women—were often pressured to perform without clear boundaries or full consent. Others weren’t told what to expect until the camera was rolling. The risks were high, ranging from emotional distress to exploitation, yet there were no formal protections in place.

That changed in 2017 with the rise of the #MeToo movement. Originally coined in 2006, the phrase became a global callout after multiple women in Hollywood accused producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault. Thousands of people—especially in creative industries—began sharing their own stories of harassment and abuse at work. It exposed how widespread the problem was and pushed the film and TV industry to take safety and consent more seriously.

In response, studios started introducing formal roles to protect actors during intimate scenes. One of the most visible changes came from HBO, after actor Emily Meade requested on-set support while filming The Deuce. The network hired Alicia Rodis as its first intimacy coordinator in 2017. By 2018, HBO made the role mandatory across all productions with nudity or intimacy. Other platforms followed. Today, the presence of an intimacy coordinator signals a shift from casual handling of sensitive scenes to a safer, more ethical standard for everyone involved.

Where the role is used—and who’s getting trained

Today, major productions regularly bring in intimacy coordinators for scenes involving physical or emotional intimacy. What began as a response to safety concerns has now become an industry-wide standard.

To meet that demand, formal training programs have emerged. In the US, the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has created guidelines and offers certification programs. Other organisations like Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) also train professionals in choreography, trauma awareness, and on-set protocols. Some productions now require certified coordinators, especially for unionized or international shoots.

The demand isn’t just in Hollywood. Coordinators are being hired across the UK, Australia, Canada, and in growing film industries in Asia and Europe. As expectations shift globally, having a trained intimacy coordinator is no longer seen as optional—it’s becoming best practice.

What an intimacy coordinator actually does on set

We’ve covered what an intimacy coordinator is. But what does their work actually look like, day to day, scene to scene? Here’s how they support a scene from start to finish:

Pre-production: They review the script to identify scenes involving intimacy, nudity, or physical contact. They flag potential concerns early and meet with the director and actors to discuss the scene’s intent, tone, and limits.
Rehearsals: They help choreograph the scene step by step—like a stunt—with input from both the actors and the director. Every action is agreed upon in advance, and performers can set clear boundaries without judgment.
On set: They are present during filming to monitor that the agreed-upon choreography is followed. If a retake is needed, they check in with actors to confirm continued consent. They also step in if anything feels unsafe, unclear, or off-script.
After filming: They may do a brief debrief to check in with the cast, especially after emotionally intense scenes. Their goal is to ensure no one walks away feeling pushed beyond what was agreed.

How intimacy coordinators benefit both talent and production

When intimacy is handled well, everyone wins:

For actors, having an intimacy coordinator creates a clear, safe process. They know exactly what will happen in the scene and that their limits will be respected, even under pressure. This reduces the risk of emotional harm and helps actors stay focused on their performance—not their safety.
For producers and studios, the presence of an intimacy coordinator reduces legal risk and protects the production’s reputation. Scenes are documented and approved, which limits the chance of misconduct claims or negative press later on. It’s a safeguard against both personal and professional fallout.

The result? A safer, more trusting set. Think about itL when actors feel supported, performances improve. When studios prioritize consent, it shows in the final product.

In short, intimacy coordinators aren’t just about avoiding problems—they’re about creating better work.

Does an intimacy coordinator restrict creative freedom?

Some actors and directors worry that intimacy coordinators limit spontaneity or interfere with the creative process. Gwyneth Paltrow, for example, described feeling “very stifled” on set when asked to follow detailed instructions during an intimate scene. She and her co-star later told the coordinator to step back. Others from earlier generations have echoed similar concerns, saying the role can feel like “just another person in the room.”

But these experiences reflect a misunderstanding of what intimacy coordinators do. They’re not there to direct performances or override artistic choices; their job is to facilitate the scene, working closely with both the actors and the director to support the creative vision while making sure everyone involved feels safe and heard. In many cases, this structure boosts performance by building trust and removing guesswork.

With clear boundaries in place, actors can stop second-guessing and start performing—fully present, fully focused.

Final thoughts

Intimacy coordinators play a crucial role in making film and television sets safer and more respectful. By planning intimate scenes with care and clarity, they help protect everyone involved, while still meeting the director’s creative vision.

More productions are now treating this role as essential, not optional. It marks a shift toward a workplace where boundaries are built in, safety is standard, and no one is left to figure it out alone. And really—isn’t that the kind of industry we should all be working toward?