Girls might have been the voice of a generation, but according to Allison Williams, it was definitely missing one voice on set — that of an intimacy coordinator. As the HBO series makes its way back into the cultural conversation, Williams is rethinking what it would’ve been like to film those bold, no-holds-barred scenes with the kind of support that’s now standard in the industry.
Allison Williams talks about intimacy coordinator for Girls scene
Speaking on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, Williams, who played the tightly wound yet wildly unpredictable Marnie Michaels, got candid about what went on behind the scenes.
Allison Williams admitted that navigating Girls intense intimacy scenes without proper guidance was challenging. “It would have been so great,” she said, looking back on whether they could have had an intimacy coordinator during the show’s many graphic moments. “We had so many sex scenes to prep and work through. It would have been so helpful to have someone who’s like department head of sex scenes.”
One scene in particular still stands out for her. It’s the infamous Season 4 opener, where Marnie hooks up with Desi, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Williams recalled how, in the absence of a professional to choreograph the moment, Lena Dunham and executive producer Jenni Konner literally acted it out for her and it was as awkward as it sounds.
“Jenni is leaning over a windowsill and Lena is leaning behind her like smiling being like, ‘This is what we picture,’” Williams said. “I was like, ‘And I was like, ‘Great!’ But they were busy. That should have been someone else’s job.”
Interestingly, HBO only introduced official intimacy coordinators the same year Girls wrapped. The network brought on stuntwoman Alicia Rodis for The Deuce in 2017, and soon after made intimacy coordination a standard across all its productions.
Williams has since experienced what it’s like to work with one, and she’s all in. “By the time everyone shows up to do it… You already know what you’re wearing for your nude covering, what the rules are, if your co-star feels comfortable with a certain type of kissing or not. So you’re all just ready to go, and it’s so nice.”
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on ComingSoon.net.
