Tom Jones star on filming awkward intimacy scenes in ITV new drama

Official trailer for TV series 'Tom Jones'

Being called the “mother of all romcoms” by writer and executive producer Gwyneth Hughes, ITV viewers are set to see an adaptation of Henry Fielding’s novel that caused quite a stir when it was first released.

Following the story of Tom Jones, fans will see him unable to escape his lowly birth after he was abandoned by a baby and raised by a country gentleman called Squire Allworthy (played by James Fleet).

However, despite some eyebrows being raised over his background and suitability for marriage, Tom doesn’t seem to have much trouble with getting attention from women.

Although he falls in love with wealthy heiress Sophia Western (Sophie Wilde), who is prepared to disobey her family’s disapproval to be with Tom, he struggles to contain himself.

Having a series of flings with women, Tom has to try and convince Sophia that he can be her true love.

With there being some raunchy scenes throughout the series, the main actor Solly McLeod spoke to Express.co.uk and other media publications about filming those intimate moments.

He said: “We wanted to make it kind of more sweet instead of intense, we didn’t want it to be pornographic or anything.

“They’re all very sweet and innocent first-time experiences, obviously there were awkward moments.

“Luckily all the actresses I worked with in those, there were a number of them, we all got on really well.”

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Solly revealed the actors in those scenes all spoke beforehand, along with there being an intimacy coordinator on set.

He continued: “We kind of choreographed these scenes with Georgia Parris, our director, to be fun.

“Obviously, when you’re filming it can be weird. The crews, all trying not to look at you, sat there in your nude-coloured bicycle shorts with a sponge down the front of them!

“But you kind of have to play it off and have a bit of fun.

“You have to make it fun, otherwise it can get tense and awkward, but I didn’t find that at all.”

Also starring in the new period drama is Alun Armstrong as Squire Western, Sophia’s hard-drinking but loving grandfather Shirley Henderson Aunt Western and Tamzin Merchant as her other Aunt Harriet.

Ted Lasso’s  Hannah Waddingham stars as Lady Bellaston, Felicity Montagu takes on the role of Bridget Allworthy, Pearl Mackie plays Honour and James Wilbraham plays Blifil.

The series, which has landed on ITVX, is available for viewers to watch in one go with all episodes now on the streaming platform.

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