Unfortunately, this kind of experience is common for young actresses, particularly those starting in the industry. The pressure to get n*ked for creative reasons or subtle forms of coercion is not uncommon, and some women even face threats and verbal abuse from male directors and producers.
Salma Hayek, for example, talked about how Harvey Weinstein threatened to shut down production on "Frida" if she didn't appear fully n*de in a s*x scene with another woman. Other actresses, like Sarah Jessica Parker and Debra Messing, have shared similar stories about powerful men in the industry.
Moreover, the burden of screen n*dity falls heavily on women as compared to men. According to research done by the University of Southern California's Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, in the top-grossing films of 2016, 25.6% of speaking or named female characters were shown heavily exposed, partially n*de, or nu*de, compared to 9.2% of men.
SAG-AFTRA, the union representing film and television actors, offers some protection for performers. Their collective bargaining agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers includes a n*dity clause, which requires producers to inform performers about any expected n*de or s*x scenes before their audition. They also must obtain separate written consent from the actor and enforce a closed set when filming the scenes.
In short, the pressure Emilia Clarke faced to do n*de scenes in "Game of Thrones" is all too common in the industry. While some protections are in place, the burden still falls heavily on women, and the issue of coercion and abuse needs to be addressed.
Actors in film and television receive some protection from SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents them. The collective bargaining agreement between the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers includes a n*dity clause that requires producers to inform performers about any expected n*de or s*x scenes before their audition. Producers also must obtain separate written consent from actors for such scenes and enforce a closed set while filming them.
However, despite these rules, producers and directors do not always follow them, and actors may be asked to do something that goes beyond what they originally agreed to, said entertainment law attorney Loan Dang. Actors may feel pressure to comply and find it difficult to refuse.
Actress Emilia Clarke, known for her role in the TV series “Game of Thrones,” recounted on a podcast how she relied on co-star Jason Momoa for support when she felt uncomfortable with certain scenes. Clarke said Momoa encouraged her to speak up if she thought a scene was gratuitous or outside her comfort zone.
As her fame grew, Clarke also gained more control over how and if she filmed n*de scenes. She took a break from doing n*dity between seasons 3 and 5, and when she returned to it in season 6, she was able to demand a closed set. Clarke clarified on Instagram that she is fine with doing n*dity if it advances the story or character development, but she will discuss with directors how to make it more subtle if it seems gratuitous.
