Samara Weaving reportedly quits SMILF show after director turned on monitors during sex scene
Australian sweetheart Samara Weaving has reportedly quit a popular US television series following allegations that the female creator and lead actor mishandled sex scenes Weaving was involved in.
Australian actor Samara Weaving has reportedly quit a US television series after MeToo-style run-ins with the show’s female creator over nude scenes.
In one incident, the writer and director of SMILF, Frankie Shaw, lifted her shirt and flashed Weaving as she demanded to know why the Australian refused to strip off in front of the camera, The Hollywood Reporter said.
In another, Shaw ignored a “closed set” agreement and ordered monitors to be turned on so more than a dozen people could see an intimate scene between a male actor and Weaving, wearing just a T-shirt and underwear, it said.
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Weaving, who came to fame on Home And Away and is the niece of veteran Australian actor Hugo Weaving, reportedly alleges the incidents were a breach of her contract.
SMILF is an edgy comedy on the Showtime network starring Rosie O’Donnell and Shaw, who adapted it from her film of the same name that won a jury prize at the Sundance film Festival in 2015.
The Hollywood Reporter said that in the show’s first season, Weaving was asked to act in a nude scene despite her no nudity clause.
“When she baulked, an exasperated Shaw pulled her into a trailer, yanked off her own top and demanded to know why Weaving had a problem being nude when Shaw had no such concerns,” the magazine reported, citing an unnamed source.
While shooting the second series, the set was initially closed so Weaving and Miguel Gomez, the actor playing her love interest, could film an intimate scene.
Shaw only learned of the agreement when the scene was underway and immediately ordered monitors on the set to be turned on — allowing more than a dozen people to see it without the actors’ knowledge, the magazine said.
Weaving and Gomez later reported the incident to arts union SAG-AFTRA and Showtime.
Weaving’s management did not respond to a request for comment.
It is understood she has been released from her contract and will not take part in the third season.
Shaw said in a statement issued by her lawyer: “I work daily to create an environment in which everyone should feel safe, and in which I can continue to grow as a leader and manager.”
She added, “It pains me to learn that anyone felt uncomfortable on my set. I sincerely hope we can work together to resolve any and all issues, as I am committed to creating a workplace in which all people feel safe and heard.”
Variety reported that ABC Studios investigated Shaw’s sconduct earlier this year and cleared her of any wrongdoing.
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