Olivia Colman Spills The Tea On Her On-Screen No-Gos: 'I Feel Like I'M Being Unfaithful'

Olivia Colman Draws the Line

Olivia Colman, the Oscar-winning actress known for her captivating performances, has made a bold declaration about her on-screen boundaries. While chatting with Amy Poehler on the "Good Hang with Amy Poehler" podcast, Colman revealed what she's eager to leave behind in her illustrious career. "Anything where I have to show any skin," she promptly responded when asked about her work-related fears. Her candidness didn't stop there. She added, "or pretending to have sex with someone. I don't like it. I feel like I'm being unfaithful."

Colman, who has been happily married to Ed Sinclair for over two decades, finds the idea of intimate scenes uncomfortable. Even when offered the usual tricks of the trade to create distance, like wearing jeans and using a cushion, she remains firm in her stance. "I don't want to do that with someone I don't know," she admitted. This revelation came courtesy of a question relayed by her "The Roses" co-star, Benedict Cumberbatch, adding a layer of intrigue to the podcast episode.

"Even when they go, 'You can wear your jeans and a cushion between you.' I don't want to do that with someone I don't know," Colman shared, emphasizing her discomfort with on-screen intimacy.

The Role of Intimacy Coordinators

During the lively discussion, both Colman and Poehler praised the work of intimacy coordinators, who have become pivotal in ensuring actors' comfort during such scenes. Colman specifically named Ita O'Brien, the mastermind behind the Intimacy On Set Guidelines, as a significant help. "She told me... 'Imagine the sun is hitting your face,'" Colman recounted, highlighting the practical advice that helps her navigate these challenging moments.

Poehler also chimed in with her appreciation for those who excel in these roles, saying, "By the way, bless the people that are good at it." Colman echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the importance of having professionals who can ease the process.

A Peek into Colman's Personal Life

Despite her professional reservations, Colman appears content in her personal life. Married since 2001, she cites her husband as her greatest source of humor. "The thing that makes me laugh more than anything, belly laugh, and it doesn't happen often enough, is watching my husband fall over or hit his head by accident," she humorously confessed.

In a candid moment from an August interview with The Guardian, Colman expressed her enduring love for Sinclair. "I’m quite in love," she stated, to which Cumberbatch playfully added, "I am too! It's all great. It's, y'know, life. And I know Ed annoys you sometimes." Colman retorted with a laugh, "Only a bit, and it's been 30 years. It's not bad to be a bit annoyed with each other."