Fresh from her acclaimed role in Netflix's hit series Sex Education, award-winning actress Aimee Lou Wood is championing a bold new direction for how intimacy is portrayed on our screens. The Manchester-born star believes it's time television embraced the full spectrum of human connection.
Beyond the Perfect Scenes
While Sex Education broke new ground in its honest approach to teenage sexuality, Wood argues there's still territory left unexplored. "We need to see more of the messy, awkward side of relationships," she revealed in a recent interview. "The moments that aren't perfectly choreographed or romanticised."
The BAFTA-winning actress suggests that current portrayals often skip over the vulnerable, sometimes clumsy reality of physical intimacy. "It's not always beautiful and seamless," Wood notes. "Showing the reality could actually be incredibly liberating for audiences."
A New Era for Intimacy Coordination
Wood's comments come as the entertainment industry increasingly recognises the importance of intimacy coordinators on set. However, she believes their role could expand beyond ensuring safety and comfort.
"Intimacy coordinators help create these scenes, but perhaps we need to push further," Wood suggests. "Let's explore intimacy in all its forms - the funny moments, the anxious ones, the times when things don't go according to plan."
The Impact on Audience Perception
The actress argues that more realistic portrayals could have profound effects on how viewers perceive their own relationships. "When all we see is perfect, Hollywood-style intimacy, it creates unrealistic expectations," she explains.
Wood believes that showing the full spectrum of intimate experiences could help normalise conversations about sexuality and relationships off-screen too. "If we can laugh at the awkward moments on television, maybe we can be kinder to ourselves in our own lives."
As streaming platforms continue to push boundaries in content creation, voices like Wood's may well shape the next generation of intimate storytelling on screen.
