Kaya Scodelario has candidly revealed the daunting reality of filming “improvised” sex scenes during her time on Skins, a show produced before the era of intimacy coordinators. Having been cast as Effy Stonem at the tender age of 14, Kaya’s experience highlights the challenges faced by young actors in the industry.
Reflecting on the filming process, Kaya recounted to The Sunday Times, “It was a different time. It was all improvised.” Kaya expressed that being told to simply engage in a “sexy scene” was terrifying, akin to being asked to perform a dangerous stunt without preparation: “It was, ‘OK, here’s a sexy scene: go!’ – and that’s terrifying. That’s like saying, ‘Here’s a stunt scene: jump off this bridge!’”
In another interview with Romesh Ranganathan, Kaya shared her experience trying to get cast despite her age. She attended open auditions at the National Youth Theatre, where she remembered, “I was too young; you had to be 16 and I was 14.” Despite her insecurities about her place in the acting world, Kaya pursued her passion, believing, “I just wanted to go see what an audition looked like.”
Her determination paid off when a creator noticed her and encouraged her to audition. Kaya humorously recounted her look at the time: “I had big frizzy hair and I was smoking a cigarette, how old school is that? Don’t do that kids!” After initially being told she was too old for the part, Kaya panicked and confessed, “No, no I am 14! I was just lying.”
This insight into Kaya Scodelario’s experiences reveals the complexities of childhood stardom in a demanding industry. Her journey not only sheds light on the inherent risks taken by young actors but also emphasizes the need for safeguarding measures to support them in navigating such pressures. As discussions around intimacy on set grow, Kaya’s revelations underscore an urgent need for change in the industry.
