Cynthia Erivo Calls for Greater Recognition of Intimacy Coordinators
Cynthia Erivo said at a London Film Festival screen talk that intimacy coordinators receive too little credit and are often treated harshly, though their work matters. She stars in 'Prima Facie' as Tessa Ensler, a successful defense lawyer who faces a trial after being sexually assaulted by a colleague. The film, adapted from Suzie Miller's play, premiered at Toronto and made its U.K. debut at the London Film Festival.
At a Monday London Film Festival screen talk, Cynthia Erivo discussed the intimacy coordinator on “Prima Facie,” arguing the role receives insufficient acknowledgment and is frequently treated poorly despite its value. The film marks her first screen part since “Wicked.”
In “Prima Facie,” Erivo portrays Tessa Ensler, a defense lawyer whose life changes when a colleague sexually assaults her and a trial follows. Adapted from Suzie Miller’s play, it premiered in Toronto last month and has its U.K. premiere at the London Film Festival on Tuesday.
Erivo’s remarks could draw more attention to intimacy coordinators’ working conditions and on-set recognition, potentially influencing how productions credit and support them. Audiences and industry workers may become more aware of the role’s importance in scenes involving sexual content or assault. Because “Prima Facie” centers on a sexual assault trial, its release may also shape public conversations about consent, legal proceedings, and survivor experiences, though its actual impact would depend on reach and reception.