Why Olivia Munn Was Terrified to Film Intimate Scenes with Jon Hamm

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Olivia Munn has shared her personal struggles with feelings of insecurity during the filming of intimate scenes for the show “Your Friends & Neighbors,” which is a dark comedy crime drama created by Jonathan Tropper and streamed on Apple TV+. The series centers around Jon Hamm’s character, Andrew “Coop” Cooper, a divorced and jobless hedge fund manager who resorts to criminal activity to maintain his lifestyle and support his family. This decision leads Coop to unearth hidden secrets in his wealthy community. Munn portrays Samantha “Sam” Levitt, a woman involved in a clandestine relationship with Coop within the show’s narrative.

Munn’s openness about her discomfort during intimate filming moments alongside Hamm might strike a chord with those who have experienced self-doubt regarding their physical appearance. In a recent conversation with the Los Angeles Times, she divulged:

I felt quite anxious about filming intimate scenes due to my numerous scars, some visible even under clothing, while others would only be noticeable if I were entirely unclothed.

In spite of her own apprehensions, Munn recognized the significance of those private moments for enhancing her character’s growth. Although Sam’s bond with Coop is predominantly physical, she yearns for a more profound emotional attachment.

She yearns for far greater emotional depth from him than he seems prepared to offer, and their relationship is primarily physical. I aimed to convey this dynamic. I wanted the sexual encounters to be authentic and powerful, with no compromise on intensity or raw emotion.

Collaborating with an intimacy advisor made Munn feel more at ease, as even though she experienced bouts of unease during filming, after each scene, her confidence grew.

Olivia Munn’s Health Journey

Following some severe health complications, Munn openly discussed her experience with filming intimate scenes, after battling an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2023 – specifically, Luminal B. Despite a clean bill of health from a mammogram and negative genetic testing for 90 potential cancer genes, Munn was diagnosed due to a referral by her OB/GYN for a breast cancer risk assessment. Just one month after receiving her diagnosis, she underwent a double mastectomy, followed later by a hysterectomy to control hormone production, as Luminal B is hormone receptor-positive.

After her first operation, Munn has been transparent about her journey, highlighting the significance of risk evaluation, early diagnosis, personal advocacy, and educating people on the boundaries of mammography. Being cancer-free now, Munn expresses appreciation for her physique.

“I’m so grateful for my body because it got me through this.”

The series “Your Friends & Neighbors” made its debut on April 11, airing the first two episodes. Fresh installments become available every Friday. Apple TV+ has announced that the show will continue for a second season. In this production, you’ll find Hamm, Munn, Amanda Peet, Mark Tallman, Hoon Lee, Lena Hall, Aimee Carrero, Isabel Gravitt, Donovan Colan, and Eunice Bae as principal cast members. The recurring ensemble includes Sandrine Holt and Corbin Bernsen.

The television show “Your Friends & Neighbors” has generally been well-received, earning acclaim for its captivating plotline and the acting skills demonstrated by Hamm, Munn, and Peete. MovieWeb’s Matt Mahler gave it a 3 out of 5, criticizing it for leaning too heavily on voiceovers instead of visual storytelling.

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2025-04-13 19:17