Sean Bean has come under fire for questioning the role of intimacy consultants on film and TV sets during sex scenes, with one actress telling him to “wake up”.

The Game Of Thrones actor, 63, was asked about the experts, whose role is to ensure actors and actresses feel safe during emotional or traumatic scenes and whose increasing presence has been a legacy of the #MeToo movement.

He suggested that having the consultants would “spoil the spontaneity”, but West Side Story star Rachel Zegler hit back saying spontaneity in intimate scenes can be unsafe.

Speaking to The Times, Bean said: “I should imagine it slows down the thrust of it. Ha, not the thrust, that’s the wrong word.

“It would spoil the spontaneity.”

Asked about the role of intimacy consultants in relation to the #MeToo movement, Bean discussed a scene between him and co-star Lena Hall for TV series Snowpiercer.

He said: “I suppose it depends on the actress. This one had a musical cabaret background, so she was up for anything.”

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His comments on intimacy consultants have sparked criticism and discussion within the industry, including from Hall.

In a thread on Twitter, she said: “Just because I am in theatre (not cabaret, but I do perform them every once in a while) does not mean that I am up for anything.

“Seriously does depend on the other actor, the scene we are about to do, the director, and whatever crew has to be in there to film it.”

She added: “If I feel comfortable with my scene partner and with others in the room then I won’t need an intimacy coordinator.

“BUT if there is any part of me that is feeling weird, gross, over exposed etc… I will either challenge the necessity of the scene or I’ll want an IC (intimacy consultant).”

She also praised Bean as an “awesome actor” who “made me feel not only comfortable but also like I had a true acting partner in those bizarre scenes”.

“It was us against the world and we were gonna tell that story,” she said.

American actress Zegler also responded to Bean’s remarks on Twitter, saying: “Intimacy coordinators establish an environment of safety for actors.

“I was extremely grateful for the one we had on WSS (West Side Story) – they showed grace to a newcomer like myself + educated those around me who’ve had years of experience.

“Spontaneity in intimate scenes can be unsafe. wake up.”

What is the #MeToo movement?

The #MeToo movement started five days after the first allegations were made against Harvey Weinstein, when actress Alyssa Milano tweeted that if all women who have been sexually harassed or assaulted tweet “Me Too” then “we might give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem”.

The movement prompted actresses and the public to speak out against their alleged attackers.

It has given many people the courage to feel unashamed about being sexually assaulted, and to bring allegations against perpetrators.

There have been protests across the world under the #MeToo banner.

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