Emily Atack, known for her role in 'The Inbetweeners' and more recently in Disney+'s 'Rivals', has opened up about filming a particularly memorable nude scene. The actress played Sarah Stratton in the series, a character whose introduction involved a naked tennis match – a scene directly adapted from Jilly Cooper’s original 1980s novel.
The scene generated significant buzz, and Atack has now revealed some behind-the-scenes details about how it was achieved. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Atack described the experience of filming the scene, including the use of a 'stick-on muff'. She humorously recounted how she initially landed the role, explaining that the character description specifically mentioned her: 'Think Emily Atack'. Despite this, she still had to audition.
Atack also shared an amusing anecdote about her audition outfit. 'I went in with all the get-up on and they thought I’d dressed up,' she said. 'I was actually just going to a bar afterwards. They were like, ‘Thank you so much for dressing as the role,’ I was like, ‘No worries.’'
The discussion then turned to the BAFTA-nominated naked tennis match scene, where Atack joked about having to 'dig real deep' to play the part. She explained that while she had tennis rackets and balls to provide some coverage, there was also the aforementioned 'stick-on muff' involved. Alex Hassell, who played Rupert Campbell-Black, opted for a more natural approach, using his 'model's own' rather than a prosthetic.
Emily Atack on Embracing the Role
Atack emphasized feeling empowered by the experience, adding that she embraced the producer’s vision for the character and the scene. The actress has been lauded for her performance in 'Rivals', and this anecdote provides a glimpse into the dedication and humor she brought to the role.
The Impact of the Scene
The nude tennis match scene in 'Rivals' has undoubtedly become a defining moment for both the series and Atack's portrayal of Sarah Stratton. Her willingness to discuss the behind-the-scenes details with humor and candor has only added to the scene's notoriety and the actress's appeal.