Intimacy Coordinator Speaks Out About Age Gap Concerns in ‘Miller’s Girl’ Sex Scene

The intimacy coordinator on Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman‘s new movie is speaking out after some viewers took issue with their sex scene because of the ‘large age gap between the actors’.

Miller's Girl, which debuted in select theaters in January and is written and directed by Jade Halley Bartlett, centers on a writing student named Cairo, played by Jenna Ortega, who ’embarks on a creative odyssey when her teacher assigns a project that entangles them both in an increasingly complex web,’ per a synopsis.

‘As lines blur and their lives intertwine, professor and protégé must confront their darkest selves while straining to preserve their individual sense of purpose and the things they hold most dear.’

After some people on social media expressed shock and concern about a sex scene between Ortega, 21, and Freeman, 52, the Miller’s Girl intimacy coordinator, Kristina Arjona, assured in a new interview that the costars were ‘comfortable’ when filming and depicting the dynamics of the subject matter.

‘There [were] many, many people throughout this process engaging with Jenna to make sure that it was consistent with what she was comfortable with, and she was very determined and very sure of what she wanted to do,’ said Arjona.

‘Part of my job too is supporting her decisions. I adapt to whatever is the comfort level of my actors, especially on a production like this where there is a large age gap between the actors,’ added Arjona. ‘I’m hyper-aware of both of my talent and making sure that we’re consistently checking in and that at no point are any of their boundaries being surpassed.’

Arjona explained that the actors talked about the ‘level of nudity’ and ‘additional barriers’ when filming the sequences. Plus, they had ‘the option on the day to change their mind if they don’t want to do any of the elements that we’ve discussed.’

In August, Freeman spoke about working with Ortega, calling her ‘amazing.’ ‘She’s extremely talented, super smart, great to work with and very, very wise beyond her years,’ the Black Panther actor said.

Reps for Ortega and Freeman did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

The film is currently unavailable to anyone hoping to watch in the UK, but it is scheduled for release on Amazon Prime Video from 19 February. Miller’s Girl is currently showing in US cinemas.