She is no
stranger to bath scenes having filmed at least ten during her acting
career and once claimed acting nude 'is not such a big deal'.
But
when Anna Friel sat in a tub for a scene in her latest TV drama she
took a rather prudish stance – by insisting her nipple was obscured from
view by placing extra steam on a bathroom mirror.
The actress made the admission as she discussed her latest role in ITV crime thriller Marcella which begins next week.
No nudity: When Anna Friel sat in a
tub for a scene in her latest TV drama Marcella she insisted her nipple
was obscured from view by placing extra steam on a bathroom mirror
The
39-year-old plays a former detective and the drama opens with Miss
Friel naked in a bath with a wound to her head and grazes on her knee.
Explaining
the significance of the scene, Miss Friel confessed there was a 'nudity
clause' in her contract and she decided it was unnecessary for her
character to be seen naked.
Speaking to Jonathan Ross during a recording for his ITV show which will be screened on Saturday night, she said:
'We
only wrapped about a week ago and we did a press conference and they
all saw the notes from ADR which is Additional Digital Recording. On one
of the notes it had said 'Remove Anna's nipple.'
Revealing
all: The actress made the admission as she discussed her latest role in
the ITV crime thriller, which begins next week, on the Jonathan Ross
Show
So
they were all going "What is this?" as there was a nudity clause and
the first scene was in a bath and I thought "Well there is no need to
see me naked if you don't have to do that." It was not about the naked
body [the scene].
'It's
such a no deal [her nipple]. Talking about it gives it credence. It was
in a shot and there was a mirror and it was steamy and all they did was
made the steam bigger in the mirror.'
Miss
Friel's stance on nudity for her latest role is a marked contrast to
her view several years ago when she starred in British comedy The Look
of Love alongside Steve Coogan and Imogen Poots.
A
new view: Miss Friel's stance on nudity for her latest role is a marked
contrast to her view several years ago when she starred in British
comedy The Look of Love which featured her in various states of undress
Taking
a stand: Explaining the significance of the scene, Miss Friel confessed
there was a 'nudity clause' in her contract and she decided it was
unnecessary for her character to be seen naked
Looking gorgeous: The actress chose an off-the shoulder crop top and matching trousers for her TV appearance
Dressed to
impress: Anna hit the town in London on Thursday night, grabbing a bite
to eat at 34 restaurant in Mayfair with a group of friends
Stepping out in style: The actress looked lovely in a plunging black jumpsuit and heels
The film focused on the story of porn baron Paul Raymond and featured Miss Friel in various states of undress.
In
a separate interview with The Times, Miss Friel spoke about the
pressures on women in the acting industry and said: 'If it's all about
your looks, once you start to age your career's over.'
She
added: 'There is a certain pressure in the industry but I've tried to
get away from that by playing as many different characters as I possibly
can so I am not boxed in. If it's all about your looks, once you start
to age your career's over. I would hate it to be dictated to me in that
way.'
Teasing: The 39-year-old plays a former detective in her major new drama
Starry couch: Anna was joined on the sofa by Tinie Tempah, Frankie Boyle and Kit Harington
The
actress, who has a daughter Gracie with Harry Potter star David
Thewlis, 53, and has also dated actor Rhys Ifans, 48, is single and said
work meant 'there was not much room for a man'.
'There's
a lot of women that are in marriages and are really unhappy and not in
the circumstances to get out of it. I'm lucky. I'm financially
independent and stable. I can make those choices.'
The
actress, who shot to fame in 1994 after her character in Brookside,
Beth, famously shared a lesbian kiss with Nicola Stephenson's Margaret,
said she remained close to both Thewlis, 53, and Ifans, 48, and did not
rule out rekindling her last relationship with an unnamed man.
She
said: 'I'm about to turn 40 and, okay, well, 'What are you going to do?
What's next?'. I am not scared of being alone. I think it helps for me
personally because I've never had a man pay a bill for me.'
Happy
place: The actress, who has a daughter Gracie with Harry Potter star
David Thewlis, 53, is single and said work meant 'there was not much
room for a man'
What a lineup! Jonathan struck a pose with his all-star guests, for the show which airs on Saturday night
