Russell T Davies blasts “disgraceful” opposition to intimacy coordinators by A-list actors

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Russell T Davies has strongly criticized prominent actors who downplay the value of intimacy coordinators, calling their behavior “disgraceful.” He reiterated his backing for these professionals, who are a recent but vital addition to television and film production teams.

This role has become increasingly important, especially since the #MeToo movement, to make sure performers feel safe and comfortable when filming intimate scenes, like sex scenes.

David Thackeray worked as a composer on the Channel 4 drama Tip Toe, continuing a career that includes composing for shows like Doctor Who: The War Between the Land and the Sea, The Night Manager (season 2), Heartstopper, and Sex Education.

At the premiere of his film Tip Toe, director Davies expressed his annoyance with well-known actors who have doubted the importance of on-set safety roles, even labeling their behavior as unacceptable.

He pointed out that these people have a lot of influence and advantages, and don’t understand the struggles of working actors who have little control on set. He strongly criticized them for this lack of understanding.

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Davies brought up Gwyneth Paltrow, who recently sparked discussion when she shared that she chose not to work with an intimacy coordinator on the show ‘Marty Supreme.’ She told Vanity Fair she felt it would limit her performance.

Sean Bean also expressed concerns, worrying that pre-recorded dialogue would make performances feel less natural. Similarly, Jennifer Lawrence declined a recent project, Die My Love, because she felt comfortable and had good chemistry with her co-star, Robert Pattinson, and didn’t want to change that dynamic.

However, the actor, previously known for The Hunger Games, didn’t completely rule out the possibility of the experience, mentioning they’d likely use an intimacy coordinator if there were any uncomfortable or unwanted advances (according to Las Culturistas).

Intimacy coordinator Marci Liroff previously explained to Variety that her services aren’t just for the main stars, and the director of ‘Tip Toe,’ Peter Hoar, agreed with this point.

I first experienced working with intimacy coordinators on the show It’s a Sin. Before that, I was often left to figure out intimate scenes on my own. It usually involved just me and the actors, feeling awkward with a lot of observers standing back and watching.

I immediately recognized this was a difficult situation for everyone involved. Then, while working on ‘It’s a Sin,’ we experienced an amazing intimacy coordination process. It was genuinely life-affirming and even life-saving, so we decided to use that same approach moving forward.

Tip Toe depicts the breakdown of a relationship between neighbors Leo (Alan Cumming) and Clive (David Morrissey), and the damaging effects it has on everyone around them.

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Tip Toe premieres on Channel 4 on Sunday 31 May 2026.

Don’t miss ‘Tip Toe’! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob ‘What to Watch’ app. Download the app today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about television and streaming dramas and comedies for TopMob. Before joining them, he worked at Starburst Magazine and hosted The Winter King Podcast on ITVX. He also has a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

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2026-05-28 10:34