Jenna Ortega has been in the spotlight lately due to her notable scene alongside Martin Freeman, showcasing her versatility in handling age disparities on screen, a skill she honed through prior collaborations with Kid Cudi.
The 21-year-old star of “Wednesday” surprised audiences when a scene from her latest film, “Miller’s Girl,” started circulating online.
In the scene, Ortega, 21, and Freeman, 52, are depicted in a passionate encounter, embodying characters from a narrative crafted by Ortega’s on-screen persona, Cairo Sweet.
Witnessing the actor who portrays a teenager in “Wednesday” engage in such an intense interaction with the man who portrayed Sherlock Holmes’ protégé left many viewers feeling uneasy. However, this isn’t the first instance where Ortega has been part of a scene featuring a significant age gap.
In 2022, Ortega shared the screen with Cudi in the horror film “X,” set in 1979.
The film narrates the tale of a group of young filmmakers intending to produce an adult film in rural Texas. However, their plans take a terrifying turn when they are unexpectedly caught in the act, leading to a desperate fight for survival as they are confronted with life-threatening dangers.
In the movie, Ortega, then 19 years old, was required to participate in a revealing scene alongside Cudi, who was 37 at the time.
Jenna Ortega plays the director’s girlfriend in X. Credit: Little Lamb/Mad Solar Productions
The cast received support from intimacy coordinator Tandi Wright, who was lauded for her efforts in ensuring their comfort throughout the filming process.
In an interview with Indie Wire, Ortega expressed her enthusiasm for the film, stating that she was “really eager” to take on the role as it presented a new and different experience for her.
However, she disclosed that her sex scene “wasn’t initially in the script.”
She clarified, “When I initially agreed to the project, that element wasn’t included. It was introduced later on.”
“By flipping the stereotype on its head and placing someone unexpected in that role, it adds spontaneity to both the character’s decision and the overall film.”
Ortega affectionately described Wright as “the most compassionate and gentle intimacy coordinator in the world.”
Jenna Ortega praised the intimacy coordinator she worked with on X. Credit: Little Lamb/Mad Solar Productions
Two years later, Ortega once more collaborated with an intimacy coordinator on “Miller’s Girl,” with Kristina Arjona taking charge of ensuring the actors felt secure and at ease.
Arjona emphasized that there were “numerous individuals” dedicated to ensuring Ortega’s comfort during the filming of the more intimate scenes.
In an interview with the Mail Online, she expressed, “I’m extremely conscious of both my actors’ well-being and ensuring that we continually check in to ensure none of their boundaries are crossed. Particularly with someone who’s significantly younger, it’s crucial to ensure they’re continuously giving consent.”
