The Secret Behind “Sex Education’s” Intimate Scenes? A Choreographed Dance the Cast Loved
If you’ve ever watched the TV series “Sex Education” and wondered how its bold yet heartwarming intimacy scenes feel so natural, not that this is no accident. The Netflix hit has revolutionized how sex scenes are filmed, offering a refreshing blueprint that’s as respectful as it is compelling.
In fact, while “Sex Education” is known for its unapologetically open conversations around sexuality, it’s the execution of its intimate scenes that sets it apart. Forget awkward fumbling or gratuitous nudity, as here, intimacy is crafted like a choreographed performance. And according to the cast, it’s been a game changer.
Intimate Scenes as “Choreographed Dances”
Speaking with media outlet Digital Spy, actress Emma Mackey (Maeve) revealed how her adult scenes with Kedar Williams-Stirling (Jackson) were planned down to the second, stating, “We had literal choreography. We timed it. ‘You do this for seven seconds. You do this…’ So it was like a dance. It’s really interesting to have it like that. It just automatically debunks… It gets rid of all the fear. So it was great.”
Meanwhile, co-star Aimee Lou Wood echoed the sentiment. In the show’s opening season, her scene with Connor Swindells (Adam) was rehearsed multiple times.
“It actually makes it easier, rather than worrying like, ‘Does this look real?’ It’s been confirmed by someone that, ‘This works. We’ll do it fully clothed. Let’s rehearse it fully clothed a few times, go through it, eight thrusts, do this, do that…’,” she shared, adding, “And then all that fear goes away. And then it’s really fun, actually.”
The Game Changer: Ita O’Brien
Behind these seamless, respectful scenes is Ita O’Brien, the show’s “intimacy coordinator”. Much like a stunt director plans fight choreography, O’Brien designs intimate scenes with structure, safety, and total consent.
In an interview with Mashable, she explained, “I give a structure and process to get through sex scenes. So instead of a director saying: ‘this is what I want, get on with it’, or ‘you two go away and work it out yourselves’, both of which can leave people in compromising situations. I’m there to help them choreograph it clearly, ensuring everyone was okay with both the physicality and the nudity”.
The result? Performances that aren’t just steamy or shocking, but genuinely character-driven and emotionally authentic. Even first-time actors have reported feeling at ease, which allows them to focus on the storytelling not the stress.
Why “Sex Education” Isn’t Just a “Raunchy” Show
Though it often lands on lists of the most explicit Netflix shows, “Sex Education” is anything but merely “raunchy”. Its goal isn’t titillation, but rather education, and empathy.
From first-time experiences and consent, to gender identity, sexual orientation, and mental health, the series tackles critical but often taboo topics with humor and humanity. It’s not uncommon for parents to use the show as a conversation starter with teens. Viewers praise it as a “full-spectrum sex ed class” cleverly disguised as a witty teen drama.
Thanks to its thoughtful production, inclusive storytelling, and warm tone, “Sex Education” isn’t just a series, it’s a cultural movement. One that’s reshaping how young people (and even adults) understand intimacy, communication, and themselves.
