For over ten years, Dakota Johnson has starred in films ranging from high-octane romances to indie dramedies, often tackling intimate scenes without formal on-set support. From her breakout turn in Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) to her latest rom-com Materialists (2025), Johnson has confronted the logistical and emotional hurdles of filming sex scenes largely on her own. On the Good Hang podcast with host Amy Poehler, she revealed how, for the first time in her career, she worked with an intimacy coordinator—and why that collaboration transformed her experience.
The Early Years: Navigating Sex Scenes Without a Guide
Johnson’s Hollywood debut thrust her into one of the most talked-about erotic dramas of the decade. “There were no intimacy coordinators then,” she recalls of the Fifty Shades set in 2014. At just 22, Johnson learned choreography, camera blocking, and personal boundaries through trial and error.
- Physical Demands: “You learn to slam yourself into headboards,” Johnson quipped, describing the awkward positioning and repeated takes.
- Mental Prep: Without dedicated guidance, she relied on personal research—reading scripts aloud, memorizing beats, and visualizing her emotional state as her character, Anastasia Steele.
- Emotional Impact: “I was always psyched up,” she said. “It’s a sex scene—it’s not sexy, it doesn’t feel good.” Over time, she developed coping mechanisms: meditative breathing, private pep talks, and post-shoot self-care rituals.
Enter the Intimacy Coordinator: A Game Changer
On her most recent film—an as-yet-untitled project shot earlier this year—Johnson experienced something new: an intimacy coordinator on set.
- Who Is an Intimacy Coordinator? A certified professional who choreographs all aspects of sexual content, ensuring actors’ consent, safety and comfort while maintaining narrative integrity. They negotiate boundaries, define “closed sets,” and oversee rehearsals.
- Johnson’s First Encounter: “She was really great,” Johnson enthused. “I’m so used to—you know, it’s a sex scene, it’s not sexy… but this time, I felt supported.”
- Practical Benefits: With clear choreography and on-set protocols, Johnson no longer had to improvise blocking, wrap herself in towels between takes, or double-check camera angles mid-scene.
Character-Based Preparation: Beyond Physical Choreography
Even with an intimacy coordinator, Johnson emphasizes that no two scenes—or characters—are alike.
- Psychological Profiling:
- Is her character an “idolized hot girl,” a “lonely housewife,” or a “conservative soul”?
- Does she approach intimacy with fear, desire, shame or empowerment?
- Body Confidence and Authenticity:
- “My mom raised me to love my body,” Johnson explained. “If I’m showing my body, I want to feel good in it.”
- Johnson engages in workouts, mindfulness, and costume fittings well ahead of shooting to inhabit her character’s physicality.
- Emotional Warm-Up:
- She rehearses emotional beats with scene partners, discussing subtext: who initiates, who hesitates, what trust dynamics are at play.
- Some days she listens to thematic playlists—“soulful, moody, or upbeat”—to match her character’s mood.
Industry Context: The Rise of On-Set Intimacy Coordination
Johnson’s experience reflects a broader shift in Hollywood over the past five years.
- Origins: After publicized incidents of harassment and discomfort (most notably the 2017 revelations around Game of Thrones star Alfie Allen’s rape scene), actors and unions began demanding formal protocols.
- Standards and Training: Organizations like Intimacy Directors International (IDI) and SAG-AFTRA now certify coordinators. Key studios and networks mandate their presence for any scene involving sexual content.
- High-Profile Adoptions: Major productions—from Bridgerton to Euphoria—credit intimacy coordinators in their end titles. Directors such as Sam Levinson (creator of Euphoria) and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) laud the practice for improving performance quality and actor well-being.
Johnson’s Filmography: A Look Back at Key Intimate Roles
Through eight films since 2015, Johnson has tackled sex scenes of varying tones and intensities:
- Fifty Shades of Grey (2015): A high-profile erotic thriller that tested her limits as a newcomer.
- How to Be Single (2016): A light-hearted comedy with candid, humorous love scenes.
- Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022): A dramedy exploring complex relationships, with intimate moments driven by character vulnerability.
- Am I OK? (2022): Johnson’s dramatic role required tender, realistic depictions of coming-of-age intimacy.
- Persuasion (2022): A period romance emphasizing restrained courtship rather than overt sexuality.
- Splitsville (2025; Cannes debut): A dark comedy where a raw, emotionally charged sex scene underscored themes of marital breakdown.
- Materialists (2025): Her latest theatrical release, co-starring Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, blends rom-com tropes with soulful character arcs.
Johnson’s Take on “Sexy” vs. “Real” Sex Scenes
Johnson distinguishes between scenes designed purely to titillate and those serving story:
- “It’s Not Sexy”: “That fourth or fifth take? Fluids, lighting, camera angles—it can feel clinical.”
- Narrative Intimacy: When sex scenes reveal character—insecurities, power shifts, tenderness—they become “important,” she argues. “That’s when I feel brave.”
- Collaborative Creativity: With intimacy coordinators, Johnson says she can focus on acting choices rather than logistics, resulting in more authentic, emotionally resonant scenes.
Looking Ahead: Advocacy and Advice for Actors
As a vocal advocate for on-set safety, Johnson offers guidance to emerging talent:
- Insist on an Intimacy Coordinator: Even in lower-budget films, actors can request a coordinator through agents or unions.
- Define Personal Boundaries: Have frank discussions with directors about what you’re comfortable filming—nudity levels, physical contact, closed versus open sets.
- Partner Accountability: “Make sure your co-star respects your limits,” Johnson advises. “A scene only works if both people feel safe.”
- Use Rehearsal Time: Treat intimate choreography like any stunt: slow walk-throughs, closed-door rehearsals, incremental intensification.
- Aftercare Matters: Whether it’s a quick debrief, time alone to decompress, or self-care rituals, schedule post-shoot recovery to separate personal and professional emotions.
Conclusion: Redefining On-Screen Intimacy
Dakota Johnson’s journey—from navigating solo sex scenes in her early career to championing formal coordination today—mirrors a larger industry evolution. By integrating intimacy professionals, actors gain not only physical safeguards but creative freedom to explore vulnerability on camera. As Johnson puts it, “When it’s used the right way in a story, intimacy is powerful.” Her endorsement underscores the value of collaboration, respect and narrative purpose, ensuring that future on-screen moments of passion feel both safe for performers and meaningful for audiences.
Related Reads
- Dakota Johnson on YouTube Show Hot Ones
- Dakota Johnson’s Critique of Hollywood’s Risk Aversion: “It’s All a Bit of a Mess”
- Materialists Review: Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal and a Sublime Celine Song–Fueled Rom-Comdrama
About the Author
Glenn Garner is Associate Editor at Deadline. Follow him on X @xoxo_glenn for entertainment news, interviews and industry analysis.
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