Harris Dickinson opened up about his experience working with Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman on the upcoming erotic thriller Babygirl, and he couldn’t have been more impressed. The 27-year-old British actor, known for his roles in Triangle of Sadness and The King’s Man, plays a young intern in the film who becomes romantically involved with Kidman’s character, a powerful tech executive. Despite the film’s intense and intimate nature, Dickinson praised Kidman for creating a safe and comfortable environment on set.
In an interview at a Babygirl screening in Los Angeles, Dickinson spoke candidly about how Kidman’s professionalism and warmth helped him feel more at ease during the filming of some of the movie’s most vulnerable and daring scenes. “She sets the tone on set,” Dickinson said. “She is like the most comforting, warm performer to work across from.”
Kidman, who won the Best Actress award at the Venice International Film Festival in August 2023 for her performance in Babygirl, brought not only her immense talent to the role but also her ability to lead by example. “She makes it so easy to be vulnerable and to be funny, because she is so daring,” Dickinson added. He recalled being in awe of her courage as an actor: “She’s so brave, and she does stuff, and you’re like, ‘What the fuck is that?’ You can’t even think of it.”
Establishing Trust and Comfort On Set
Given the film’s provocative themes and explicit scenes, Dickinson explained that having trust between the cast members was crucial. An intimacy coordinator, Lizzie Talbot, was on set to ensure that both actors felt safe and comfortable during the filming of their more intimate scenes.
Dickinson shared that he and Kidman worked closely with Talbot to establish boundaries before taking the scenes into their own hands. “We’d have a discussion with the intimacy coordinator, and then Nicole and I kind of did our own thing with it once we set the parameters of what we were both comfortable with,” Dickinson said.
The collaboration between Kidman and Dickinson, facilitated by a supportive crew, allowed them to explore the emotional and physical depths required by the film. “She’s just got this innate sense of playfulness,” Dickinson said of Kidman’s on-set energy. “And when you have that on set, everything’s so easy.”
A Learning Experience with a Cinematic Icon
Working with Kidman was an eye-opening experience for Dickinson. He admitted that he was constantly in awe of her long-standing career and took every opportunity to learn from her. Subtly, he would ask her questions about her past work, including her collaborations with legendary directors. “I kept asking her things like, ‘What was it like working with Stanley Kubrick?’” he recalled, referring to Kidman’s iconic role in Eyes Wide Shut (1999).
Beyond her impressive résumé, Dickinson admired how down-to-earth and approachable Kidman was, despite her status as one of Hollywood’s most accomplished actors. “She is so comforting and warm,” he said, describing how her openness helped him grow as an actor throughout the production.
The Challenge of Filming Intimate Scenes
Nicole Kidman herself has acknowledged the intensity of filming the intimate scenes in Babygirl. In an interview, she admitted that the physical and emotional demands of her role occasionally became overwhelming. “The whole thing was challenging,” she said with a laugh, but added that the key to her performance was remaining open, vulnerable, and fully committed to the story being told. The trust she built with Dickinson and director Halina Reijn allowed her to dive deep into the character, exploring themes of power, control, and vulnerability.
The experience on Babygirl also required Kidman to rely heavily on the support of the cast and crew. She specifically requested a “safe space” from Reijn to explore the character’s complexities, trusting that she wouldn’t be exploited in the process. This trust enabled both Kidman and Dickinson to fully embrace the emotionally and physically charged material.
Conclusion
Working alongside Nicole Kidman in Babygirl was a transformative experience for Harris Dickinson, who learned not just from her acting prowess but also from her generosity and professionalism on set. Her ability to set the tone, build trust, and create a comfortable atmosphere allowed the actors to fully commit to their characters. As Dickinson continues to make his mark in Hollywood, his collaboration with Kidman in this daring new film will surely remain one of his most memorable experiences.
Source: Harris Dickinson Interview at the Babygirl screening at London West Hollywood Hotel
Additional Information: Venice International Film Festival 2023, Nicole Kidman Interview