Luke Newton “wasn’t prepared” to strip naked in front of Nicola Coughlan while filming Bridgerton.
The 31-year-old actor stars as Colin Bridgerton on the hit Netflix period drama but admitted that while he and co-star Nicola Coughlan, who plays his love interest Penelope Featherington, prepared to shoot some of the more raunchy scenes for the show’s new season that nothing could get him ready for taking his clothes off in front of his castmates.
He told People: “I think there’s always been that underlying sort of question mark with these two characters.
“And people have obviously wanted them to get to the point that we’re getting to now, so I guess it was always in the back of our minds. You kind of play that in previous seasons and in previous scenes, but you can’t really prepare for stripping down naked in front of your friends.”
Meanwhile, Nicola explained that the “awkward” moment on set actually felt “so affecting” within the moment because it reflected where the characters are at at this point in the story.
She said: “The intimacy stuff feels very real.
“It feels very grounded in two people that are not trying to sort of, that they’re awkward in front of one another, this and that, and all of a sudden they become like Lotharios in the bedroom and whatever, they get to be intimate together in a very real and beautiful way, and I think that’s what makes it so affecting.”
The Derry Girls star previously explained that she and her co-star would just “chill” without their clothes on in between underneath the blankets on set.
Speaking on SiriusXM Hits, she explained: “We would be like, in between scenes, and they were like, ‘Do you wanna get up and put your clothes on?’ We’re like, ‘We’ll just chill here.’ Like, in under the blankets. But then we have the advantage of knowing each other for years!”
Celebrities Who Won’t Shoot Nude Scenes
Whether due to parenthood or a no-nudity contract clause, many stars have spoken out about their reason for leaving on screen nudity in the dust. From Anna Kendrick to Chris Pratt, these celebs aren’t shy about wanting to keep their clothes on while filming.
Taylor Swift
Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images for Billboard
Taylor Swift
Singer and actress Taylor Swift won’t be stripping down anytime soon. “I find it relatively easy to keep my clothes on because I don’t really feel like taking them off,” she said. “It’s not an urge I have.”
Taylor Swift
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Taylor Swift
Swift later went on to say that music is much more “risky” to her than nudity. “Risky is writing confessional songs and telling the true story about a person with enough details so everyone knows who that person is,” Swift said. “That’s putting myself out there, maybe even more than taking my shirt off.”
Mila Kunis
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Mila Kunis
While Mila Kunis has filmed her fair amount of sex scenes throughout her career, she used a butt double in the shoot for 2011’s Friends With Benefits.
Mila Kunis
Rich Polk, Getty Images for IMDb
Mila Kunis
In 2016, Kunis revealed she previously passed on posing half-naked on a magazine cover, but was reportedly threatened by an anonymous producer, who told her “you’ll never work in this town again.” The actress has continued to have a thriving career despite the negative event.
Mandy Moore
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Mandy Moore
This Is Us actress Mandy Moore is proud of her wholesome image. In 2004, she ended up using a body double for a scene in Chasing Liberty where her backside is exposed.
Mandy Moore
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Mandy Moore
“I’m a modest girl,” Moore revealed to Entertainment Tonight. “No one has seen my butt, besides me behind closed doors.”
Megan Fox
Rich Polk, Getty Images for IMDb
Megan Fox
In 2009, actress Megan Fox spoke out about the fact that on screen nudity lives beyond the film itself. “It lives forever, especially now, with the Internet. I just can’t,” she said. “Literally all I have left are my private parts and I don’t want to also share them with the world. I’d like to keep them private. That’s why they’re called that!”
Megan Fox
Andreas Rentz, Getty Images for Paramount Pictures International
Megan Fox
Fox also regularly avoids nudity scenes due to being a parent. “There are some good projects I’ve read that are with talented people, talented directors, but the things the women are required to do in the movie are things I can’t have my sons ever know or see,” she explained.
Katy Perry
Daniel Pockett, Getty Images
Katy Perry
Pop sensation Katy Perry may not be a Hollywood actress, but that doesn’t mean she’s planning to strip down on screen either. Instead, Perry much more prefers the art of burlesque.
Katy Perry
Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Katy Perry
“I like to play [the sexy] card because it’s fun and definitely in my deck, but I like to tease,” she told Cosmopolitan. “I’m like a burlesque girl. I definitely won’t be doing a Playboy spread, but I will be doing a kind of Dita Von Teese style.”
Rihanna
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Rihanna
Although singer Rihanna made headlines with her jaw-dropping Swarovski crystal dress in 2014, you won’t see her going fully nude on screen. She credits the way she was raised for her decision.
Rihanna
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images for Bergdorf Goodman
Rihanna
“My mother would kill me if I posed nude,” the singer noted. “She raised me with certain standards.”
Sarah Jessica Parker
Dia Dipasupil, Getty Images
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker was the only cast member to have a no-nudity clause within her contract despite the show being focused on dating, sex and relationships.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images for Ketel One Family-Made Vodka
Sarah Jessica Parker
“I don’t have any judgment about anyone who chooses to do it,” she revealed to The Hollywood Reporter. “I think it’s fantastic that people feel comfortable doing it. It’s not some kind of principled position or religious or ideological [thing] on my part.”
Samuel L. Jackson
Roy Rochlin, Getty Images
Samuel L. Jackson
Actor Samuel L. Jackson has had quite the successful career with films like Pulp Fiction, Avengers: Endgame and The Hateful Eight. Even with so many films under his belt, he’s avoided shooting any nude scenes throughout the years.
Samuel L. Jackson
Paras Griffin, Getty Images for Roadside Attractions
Samuel L. Jackson
During an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Jackson revealed full frontal nudity is a no-go for him but that he would opt for a body double if need be.
Kristen Bell
David Livingston, Getty Images
Kristen Bell
Most recently known for her starring voice acting role in Frozen, actress Kristen Bell has no interest in filming nude scenes.
Kristen Bell
Matt Winkelmeyer, Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Kristen Bell
Although Bell appeared in her under garments in House of Lies, she said “dream on” to stripping down fully.
Reese Witherspoon
Rachel Murray, Getty Images for Hulu
Reese Witherspoon
You’ll never catch Big Little Lies star Reese Witherspoon appearing naked in any of her projects. It’s simply not her cup of tea and she hasn’t been shy on her stance.
Reese Witherspoon
Leon Bennett, Getty Images
Reese Witherspoon
“If [actresses] take their clothes off, they objectify themselves,” she noted. “I am flabbergasted by how many legitimate actresses do it.”
Chris Pratt
Jesse Grant, Getty Images for Disney
Chris Pratt
Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World actor Chris Pratt is a Hollywood hunk, but that doesn’t mean you’ll see his buff bod naked on screen.
Chris Pratt
Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images for Disney
Chris Pratt
Pratt is famously open about his faith and has opted out of filming nude or sex scenes due to his religious beliefs.
Keira Knightley
Lia Toby, Getty Images for BFI
Keira Knightley
After becoming a mother of two, Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise star Keira Knightley has chosen not to perform in nude scenes. “I never did anything that I didn’t feel comfortable doing,” she said. “I’m really happy with my body. It’s done an amazing thing. But I also don’t want to stand there in front of a whole film crew.”
Keira Knightley
Nicholas Hunt, Getty Images
Keira Knightley
Knightley also has a no-nudity clause in her contract that allows her to choose a body double for any potential nude scenes in future films.
Ricky Gervais
Paul Drinkwater, NBCUniversal Media, LLC via Getty Images
Ricky Gervais
Comedian Ricky Gervais is all about bringing the laughs, but nudity will have nothing to do with it. “There’s no chance of me doing it,” he told MTV.
Ricky Gervais
Nicholas Hunt, Getty Images
Ricky Gervais
Despite Gervais noting his disinterest, he also said he wouldn’t mind if he used a body double if a scene calling for nudity did come up one day.
Rebel Wilson
Dia Dipasupil, Getty Images
Rebel Wilson
2016’s The Brothers Grimsby features a nude scene, but star Rebel Wilson had no part of it: She actually used a body double.
Rebel Wilson
John Sciulli, Getty Images for G’Day USA
Rebel Wilson
“They wanted full-frontal nudity,” she said. “We wrote in the contract, specifically, ‘No nudity.’” Wilson didn’t see the value of nudity in a comedy film, but would possibly consider it when filming a more serious part.
Jessica Alba
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Jessica Alba
Much like Sarah Jessica Parker, actress Jessica Alba also has a no-nudity clause when it comes to her filming career.
Jessica Alba
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Jessica Alba
“I don’t want my grandparents to see my boobs. That’s it,” she told Glamour. “It would be weird at Christmas. And, I mean, really, if you look at the movies I have done, getting naked would never ‘elevate’ the picture.”
Rachel Bilson
Slaven Vlasic, Getty Images
Rachel Bilson
Despite nearly losing a role because she wouldn’t get naked, actress Rachel Bilson hasn’t changed her mind about stripping down on set. While nudity is often part of R-rated films, Bilson doesn’t ever want to feel forced to do it.
Rachel Bilson
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Rachel Bilson
“Movies can be sexy or sexual without showing things. It’s almost a deal-breaker,” she told Playboy. “[If a] movie was rated R, they like to put in nudity wherever they can, but I’m pretty strong willed and believe it can be avoided.”
Julia Roberts
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
Julia Roberts
After making a name for herself in Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich and My Best Friend’s Wedding, Oscar-winner Julia Roberts isn’t a fan of being nude on screen.
Julia Roberts
Vivien Killilea, Getty Images for SiriusXM
Julia Roberts
She has openly spoken out about passing on nude scenes, crediting her prudence to her role as a mother. “You know, it’s not really what I do, so if you are going ask me to do it, you have to expect it to be toned down,” she said. “You know, as a [mom] of three, I feel like that.”
Jessica Simpson
Cindy Ord, Getty Images for SiriusXM
Jessica Simpson
Fans won’t catch Dukes of Hazzard actress and singer Jessica Simpson naked in any of her work. In a 2010 interview with Allure, she confirmed that she would never appear nude in front of the camera.
Jessica Simpson
Amy Sussman, Getty Images
Jessica Simpson
Even if nudity would result in an Oscar, you can count Simpson out. “I will never do nudity. I don’t care how dark and intellectual the role could be, you know,” the actress revealed. “I don’t care if I frickin’ get an Oscar for it, I’m not going to do it. Those accolades mean nothing to me.”
Isla Fisher
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Isla Fisher
While filming Wedding Crashers, actress Isla Fisher used a body double for her nude scenes instead of appearing in them herself.
Isla Fisher
Dia Dipasupil, Getty Images
Isla Fisher
Fisher has chosen to stay out of the nudity spotlight during her career. “I feel like if you have a female comic character and then you see her nipples, then she is no longer funny, which is clearly wrong, but that was my theory, and that’s why I didn’t want to do it,” she said.
Hilary Duff
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Hilary Duff
After rising to fame on Disney Channel as Lizzie McGuire, actress Hilary Duff has chosen not to bare it all on screen.
Anna Kendrick
Actress Anna Kendrick is another famous face who avoids shooting nude scenes. She previously used a body double for her nude scene in Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates.
Anna Kendrick
Christopher Polk, Getty Images for NARAS
Anna Kendrick
“I will not do that… I am not criticizing people who do [nude scenes] but I plan to keep doing what I am doing and hope it keeps going good,” she told The Telegraph.