It's part of what actors do but it's never a joy, says Gillian Anderson as she reveals all about filming sex scenes
A TWO-MAN tent on the windy south-west coast of England might not be everyone's ideal spot for a steamy encounter.
But that is where former X-Files actress Gillian Anderson found herself acting out a sex scene for her new film The Salt Path, about a homeless couple embarking on a 630-mile trek.
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She was even asked to squeeze into a sleeping bag with co-star Jason Isaacs — and now she has spoken about the awkwardness of filming intimate acts with someone you barely know.
Mum-of-three Gillian, 56, said: 'That is something you just expect as an actor.
"That's part of what one does. I had an experience for many, many years working with the same actor every day.
'I've also done sex scenes on the first day of working, which is never a joy at any time during filming.
"So you're thrown stuff all the time and just show whatever you're given.
'And Jason makes it very easy. He's very amenable, he's very likeable.
'And certainly physically, we feel like we're the same language — certainly by the end.
'We feel like our journey is baked into us, and we feel like we're part of the same conversation.'
So is sex in a tent ever a good idea? Gillian said: 'Well, sex in the back of a car, sex anywhere, I mean, yeah, why not?
'Uncomfortable, tight quarters, but needs must . . .'
The star became an international sex symbol playing FBI special agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, alongside David Duchovny as special agent Fox Mulder, in the original hit series that ran from 1993 to 2002.
Secret desires
Since then she has enjoyed a distinguished three-decade career that has seen her take on a variety of roles, from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Crown to therapist Jean Milburn in Netflix's racy series Sex Education.
She has also found time to become a real-life crusader for female sexual empowerment and is currently working on a follow-up to her hugely successful 2024 book, Want.
The collection of anonymous female sexual fantasies included one from a woman who wanted to be intimate with an office doorknob.
I read the book and I couldn't speak for days. I was really profoundly affected by it. I think I might have threatened them within an inch of their lives to hire me!
Gillian even hid one of her own fantasies in the mix — although she has not revealed which one — and has hinted that she may put more of her own secret desires in book two.
The Salt Path is based on the book of the same name by long-distance walker and writer Raynor Winn.
It tells her real-life tale of walking from Minehead in Somerset to Poole, Dorset, with her husband Moth after he is diagnosed with an incurable neuro-degenerative disease called corticobasal degeneration, or CBD.
The couple had also become homeless in 2013, so they decided to set out on the 630-mile South West Coast Path with nothing but a tent bought on eBay, £115 in cash and a paycard to withdraw £48 a week in tax credits.
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The heartwarming book went on to sell more than a million copies and, at this week's Hay Literary Festival, Raynor described the moment she found out that Gillian was going to play her in the film.
She said: 'I thought, 'How is that ever going to work? She's so perfect, so glamorous, so beautiful. How is she going to capture me at such a raw moment in my life?' '
The tent sex scene with White Lotus star Jason did not feature in the book, but was added by writers for the movie adaptation, which was released on Friday.
Raynor added: 'There's only one particularly hot scene in that book — I gave them big waves. I got back a sweaty scene in a tent.'
For Gillian, playing Raynor became one of her most challenging roles, but one that she was desperate to play.
She said: 'I read the book and I couldn't speak for days. I was really profoundly affected by it. I think I might have threatened them within an inch of their lives to hire me!'
Gillian has always been drawn to playing strong women and found that becoming those characters on screen instilled a new-found confidence.
Rebellious teenager
She said on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast: 'I think it awakened in me a kind of stirring in my own sense of my sexual self and sensual self.
'I don't know whether it had always been asleep or whether it was awake when I was younger and then was asleep.
'But the fact that so much of my career as an actor — starting as Scully in my 20s, where suddenly I was consistently called on to be the smartest in the room — I was asked to show up and believe that I could do those things.
"It showed that I had it somewhere in me to look that smart, to be that powerful, to be that confident, to walk that way.'
Gillian was born in Chicago but raised in London during her early years.
Most of the time when I show up to work, particularly at the beginning of a job, I think I am going to be fired.
Every single job, the first two days are hell.
Then the family moved back to the US when she was 11 and she later became a rebellious teenager.
She went through a lesbian phase, was arrested and dabbled in punk — getting into what she called 'dangerous things'.
By the time she was 14 she was in therapy. Ten years later, while living on benefits in Michigan, she landed the X-Files job — and found overnight global fame. But Gillian admits she still struggles to conform.
She told the We Can Do Hard Things podcast: 'I always have been a bit of an outsider. I didn't really make a lot of friends in high school.
'My hair was always not unlike it is right now — ratty and not curled.
'Then I started wearing oversized thrift clothes, cinching it with a belt, pointy black boots with buckles, and I started to shave my head and have a Mohawk. Also, by then I'd had a lesbian relationship that they all knew about and teased me about.
'I was kind of on the outside. Then true to form, on graduation night, I was actually arrested, because I tried to break into the high school with my then boyfriend to glue the locks shut.'
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'I started panicking'
Gillian, who has been married twice, currently lives in London where she has been in a long-term relationship with The Crown writer Peter Morgan.
Mum to daughter Piper, 30, and sons Oscar, 18, and 16-year-old Felix, she juggles acting with running the soft drinks company she founded with Peter's son, Robin.
And despite being at the top of her game for more than 30 years, she admits she still feels insecure at times.
On playing Margaret Thatcher in 2020, she said: 'It was daunting. From the moment I said yes, I started panicking.
"She is a big deal in the UK. And she's a very divisive character and however people feel about her, there's no middle ground — they either absolutely hate her or they love her.
"So I knew people felt very strongly, and obviously I wanted to do a good job. So I felt quite a lot of pressure.'
She added: 'Most of the time when I show up to work, particularly at the beginning of a job, I think I am going to be fired.
'Every single job, the first two days are hell. Literally I think that I'm going to be fired and that the producers are huddling around the monitor. I'm literally going, 'Oh my God, what have I done?'
'And so the point is that I can do that and act as if I am this confident person, despite having panic attacks.
'If I can do those things, then as far as I'm concerned, anybody can.'
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After walking up a staircase full of painted clouds and mythical goddess quotes, I stepped out into a world of peachy pink beachfront bliss. With its palm trees, parasols and beach hut bar, why go for a girl's trip to Marbella when you can sip and sunbathe in Waterloo? This beach club style rooftop bar is just minutes' walk from a busy station. But once I arrived, I instantly forgot about where I really was. Less Northern line, more Negronis. 18 18 The rooftop has a truly Mediterranean vibe, offering mezze and small plates to go with your piña colada or kiwi margarita. The small plates are 3 for 2 if you're there before 5pm, and range from spiced kofta lamb skewers to chilli tiger prawns. I could honestly spend all day snacking, sipping and pretending I'm away on holiday. I also couldn't help but notice the espresso martini chocolate flavoured ice cream on the puddings, served with Hotel Chocolat chocolate sauce. 18 18 Frank's Cafe If you're looking for something a little more quirky and artsy, Frank's Cafe in Peckham really took me by surprise. It has a much more urban and industrial feel, an effortlessly cool vibe, and is also the cheapest of the lot. After walking up a hot pink staircase, you step out onto a giant playground. The bar is hidden at the back of a giant rooftop, as you walk by unique art installations that make you feel like you're in Berlin. 18 18 It's a cheap and trendy spot where people gather for toasties, iced cocktails, and to watch the sunset over the London skyline. By night, the rooftop is buzzing with groups sharing jugs of cheap drinks and enjoying food from the grill. Drinks like alcoholic slushies are served in takeaway style cups at wooden benches for that no-frills urban feel. It all felt a bit too cool and concrete for me, but the £5 drinks stole my heart. This quirky spot is a great place for casual drinks with friends, a cheap bite to eat, and some pretty spectacular views over the city. 18 18 Market Halls Victoria Opposite London Victoria station is a bar where street food market hall meets swanky rooftop hangout. You start by choosing your food in the downstairs market hall, where various venders offer a range of affordable eats. Burgers from Black Bear smelled divine, and the ever-popular eggslut was serving their famous breakfast style sandwiches. I grabbed myself a tub of gelato from Badiani, and headed upstairs. 18 18 This rooftop terrace was an absolute suntrap, and the perfect spot to enjoy the street food and soak up some rays. The atmosphere is lively and the music is loud, with many gathered to watch the busy world go by with an ice cold pint. The bar also hold live music events and regularly show football matches, making it a solid spot to meet up and soak up the summer vibes. And three other rooftop bars outside of London Goodness Gracious Roof Garden and Bar, Liverpool Located in Liverpool, Goodness Gracious Roof Garden and Bar can be found on the eighth floor of West Africa House. With views of the city's iconic 'Three Graces' - The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. The bar is open from 12pm till late, Wednesday through to Sunday and has been described by previous visitors as a "real sun trap". 20 Stories, Manchester Over in Manchester, 20 stories is split between a roof terrace, restaurant and cocktail bar. And this summer, the bar has partnered with Aperol for a bespoke Spritz menu. The venue will also host live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Guesthouse No.42, Margate Guesthouse No.42 opened in Margate back in 2023 and in the same year the spot opened their new rooftop terrace bar. The bar features amazing 360 degree views over the beach front and serves a wide range of tipples including local beers and wine. However, it is currently the only rooftop bar in Margate - so could be busy in the summer months.
