In the Paramount+ series “Fatal Attraction,” Joshua Jackson and Lizzy Caplan reprise the iconic roles first played by Michael Douglas and Glenn Close in the 1987 film, at a time when erotic thrillers competed at the Oscars. But times have changed in those 36.
“The film is in an era where we were more instinctively, weirdly, examining human sexuality. We seem to be far more judicious now in the way we deal with it,” Jackson told TheWrap.
While the industry debates whether to tone down the onscreen intimacy or omit sex scenes altogether, the series, which premieres Sunday, April 30, doesn’t shy away from steamrolling the central theme, and both leads Presents partial nudity.
TheWrap spoke with Jackson, Caplan, showrunner Alexandra Cunningham, and director Silver Tree to discuss how Hollywood’s attitudes toward sex have changed over the past few decades.
TheWrap: Have you heard this conversation that people think there shouldn’t be as many sex scenes on TV and in movies today?
Joshua Jackson: I don’t know what that conversation is. But I really feel like we need more of this. I feel like we examine sexuality on screen more judiciously now. The film is from a time when we were more comfortable, weirdly, examining human sexuality. We seem to be much more judicious now in the way we deal with it.
Showrunner Alexandra Cunningham: Yes, that’s it. But at the same time, if you’re doing something that’s touted as an erotic thriller, you have to lean into it to some extent, especially with this property, which is, really, the storytelling being the reason for it. Encounter. So we need to represent it.
Lizzy Caplan: there was a time when [sex in movies and TV] There was a constant presence. Now I feel like it’s really missing something. There seems to have been a change over the years, which is a reflection of the larger society and social customs. But I was so bored with the “let’s stop the story and the action so we can just watch two actors have sex with each other, and then we’ll get back to the story.” If it’s not part of the narrative, then I think it’s a bit pointless.
Joshua Jackson: You can tell a story of sexuality without actual representation of sex. [Today] We also have a better understanding of how to render bodies and the scenarios in which we do so. I wish we were examining sex and sexuality more in the narratives we’re telling because it’s so important to us as human beings. And part of our broader job is to reflect the culture back into ourselves.
Silver Tree: I treat intimacy scenes like stunts. Logically, this is a very easy time to film these types of scenes, as there are so many safety measures in place.
I think the most important thing for me was to make sure that there is enough rapport between these two people. Because if you don’t have that, there’s no story. And these actors had instant chemistry, so most of the work was done for me. The scenes needed that chemistry, obviously, like the animalistic nature of two people eating each other. But then I had to make sure that Alex is metabolizing the character experience in a way that’s so impactful, that she’s not going to let this person go, without telling and scaring Dan. So it’s definitely a dance.
The first three episodes of “Fatal Attraction” premiere Sunday, April 30 on Paramount+.
