Eleanor Tomlinson has spilled details about what it was like filming intimacy scenes with Sam Heughan for Channel 4’s new drama The Couple Next Door.
The Poldark actress, 31, is accustomed to wearing a Regency gown – but viewers will see her in a different light in her role as primary school teacher Evie.
The dark psychological drama will explore the claustrophobia of suburbia and the fallout of chasing your deepest desires and is due to air on Monday.
The six-part drama will see Evie and her husband Pete (Alfred Enoch) moving into an upscale neighbourhood, where they meet next door neighbours cop Danny (Sam) and his wife, glamorous yoga instructor Becka (Jessica De Gouw).
As time goes on, these two couples get increasingly close to each other and one fateful night, become sexually entangled in a way that will change their lives forever.
Lead role: Eleanor Tomlinson has spilled details about what it was like filming intimacy scenes with Sam Heughan for Channel 4 ‘s new drama The Couple Next Door
Tension: There will be sizzling chemistry from the start between Evie and Danny
Eleanor’s character Evie will harbour a deep and irresistible attraction for her next-door neighbour Danny.
During filming, Eleanor and Sam, 43, worked with intimacy coordinator Vanessa Coffey to make sure the sexy scenes were perfect and sizzling hot.
Speaking in the latest edition of Radio Times, she said: ‘Everybody felt comfortable.
‘The way that the sex scenes are shot isn’t necessarily what you would expect. I was keen to get across [the idea] that you can make something just as sexy by implying it.’
She added that working with Sam on set has been ‘debaucherously fun’.
Sam, who worked with Vanessa on Outlander, added: ‘I think we both have a great deal of experience with that perspective.
‘Period dramas are different worlds. I knew Vanessa was great, and had a really nice demeanour about her on set.
‘I think we’ve both maybe struggled in the past with [sex] scenes, and how to portray them without giving away too much or feeling uncomfortable.
‘It was great to push these scenes and make them feel intimate for the viewer without making it really difficult to shoot.’
Co-stars: Eleanor’s character Evie will harbour a deep attraction for her next-door neighbour Danny, played by Sam. The co-stars are pictured together at the preview of the show
Drama: The ‘very sexy’ Channel 4 show is due to air next Monday (Eleanor is pictured second left; Sam, far right)
Racy: Pete and Becka are pictured in an upcoming intimate scene
Role: The Poldark actress, 31, is accustomed to wearing a Regency gown – but viewers will see her in a different light in her role as primary school teacher Evie
He joked that one of the reasons for signing up was ‘not having to wear a corset!’
Directed by Dries Vos (Suspect, Professor T) and written by David Allison (Bedlam, Marcella) the six part series is an addictive, emotional roller coaster and looks at how we never know what goes on behind closed doors.
Prior to filming, Eleanor and Sam knew each other through their mutual friend Caitríona Balfe, who plays Jamie’s wife, Claire, in Outlander.
Story: You can read Eleanor and Sam’s full interview in December’s Radio Times
Eleanor married rugby player Will Owen last summer, while Sam is currently single.
Ahead of the new show’s release, Eleanor spoke further about the intimacy scenes and working with Vanessa.
She said: ‘She was terrific. We spent a lot of time talking about each individual sex scene and making sure that there was a progression with each one.
‘You don’t just have those scenes for the sake of them, or certainly I don’t do them for the sake of them – they have to add something to the story.’
Eleanor added: ‘Sam is now one of my best friends. Every day was a joy and creating Danny and Evie’s complicated and dangerous relationship was a lot of fun.
‘It’s a real treat to work alongside such a supportive co-star but to leave a job with a best friend is pretty rare.’
Speaking about his character’s relationship with Evie, Sam said: ‘There is an attraction there. And it’s like, do you act upon it? Do you not act upon it?
‘But also, who’s at fault and where’s it coming from? Who’s making the moves? And who’s doing this? I think the show is constantly turned on his head.
‘That’s what I loved about it, from the beginning is this kind of weirdness.’
The Couple Next Door starts on Channel 4 on Monday, November 27 at 9pm.
Psychological drama: Evie and Pete will meet next door neighbours cop Danny (Sam) and his wife, glamorous yoga intructor Becka (Jessica De Gouw, pictured)