Emily Osment asked for an intimacy coordinator on the set of Young Sheldon because of the age gap between herself and co-star Montana Jordan.
Osment, who played Mandy McAllister on the CBS sitcom, was 30 when the pair shot their initial episodes. Jordan, meanwhile, was just 18.
According to Jessica Radloff's new book, Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw's-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy, Osment expressed “concern” around shooting kissing scenes with Jordan.
“That made me uncomfortable. He was a baby! A baby with a mullet,” she said.
“So I spoke to [producer] Tim Marx, and obviously they were not able to get one that late in the day, but for the next few episodes they had one there, since the relationship between them escalates.
“It made everything easier having one there. I think it’s something that’s really important.”
She said she wasn’t sure if Jordan knew he could ask for an intimacy coordinator, but wanted to “give him the option” and “make him comfortable”.
She added that he is “such a sweet kid” that he would have probably gone ahead with the scenes without rocking the boat.
She was thankful to the showrunners for getting an intimacy coordinator on set, she said.
“I love those guys, and I’m really happy it got to the point where they were able to do that.”
Alex Reid, the director of the show – a prequel to The Big Bang Theory – said that he and others “totally dropped the ball” while shooting the kissing scenes.
“I have a photo between takes of them sitting in that car when we shot that, and they’re looking off in other directions. I showed it to Emily and she said, ‘Yeah, that was so uncomfortable for both of us, because we didn’t know each other.’
“It wasn’t even about the lack of an intimacy coordinator. It’s just you’re having to make out with somebody you just kind of met. Obviously they worked that out, and they have a great chemistry now, but that was kind of embarrassing.”
Co-creator Steve Molaro added that Osment had “every right to ask” for an intimacy coordinator on set.
Young Sheldon star cracked rib wearing prosthetic pregnancy bump on set
Young Sheldon actor admits tensions ‘boiled up’ towards end of final season
Anna Faris responds to Chuck Lorre’s comments about her ‘mysterious’ TV show exit
Sylvester Stallone defends casting daughter: ‘Of course it’s nepotism, you idiot’
Strictly announces surprise format change as fourth couple exits
Harlan Coben on imposter syndrome and why only bad writers think they are good
