The Deuce's David Simon: "I don’t think I’m ever going to work without an intimacy coordinator again"

Entertainment Weekly

The work of Alicia Rodis as intimacy coordinator, or intimacy director, was recently profiled in The New York Times. Simon said he decided to add the position for Season 2 to make sure everybody felt safe on set in wake of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements. “Her job is to facilitate the filming of simulated sex and intimacy in such a way that we’re protecting the emotions and the dignity of everybody who’s involved. ’Cause it’s hard work, a lot harder than violence,” Simon said. “You know, everyone’s an old pro about simulating violence. But I don’t think I’m ever going to work without an intimacy coordinator again. Because the truth is, we knew we were asking a lot of actors and directors and crew in terms of professionalism and to deliver this material bluntly and honestly. But you can ask all you want — at a certain point everybody has to trust everybody.”