Bel Powley claims she was ‘inappropriately touched’ on the set of an indie film in her early 20s but was ‘afraid to rock the boat’ by speaking out
Bel Powley has claimed she was “inappropriately touched” on the set of an indie film in her 20s, but felt she was unable to speak at the time.
The Diary Of A Teenage Girl actress, 31, who recently starred in A Small Light and Everything I Know About Love reflected on the industry early in her career.
The actress said that before the MeToo movement, there was a very different culture when filming, especially when she was younger.
Bel claimed she was once “touched inappropriately” by a senior member of the crew while working on an indie film in her early twenties.
She said The independent“Someone grabbed my anus and basically touched me inappropriately, but I was too scared to say anything.” I was too scared to rock the boat.’
Speaking: Bel Powley, 31, said she was once ‘inappropriately touched’ on a movie set in her early 20s
Different times: The actress revealed that times on set before the MeToo movement were very different (pictured in 2013)
She continued, “I just avoided that person and it was fine, but what really changed after MeToo is you just know you’re protected.”
And it was far from easy in front of the camera as a young woman trying to make it in the industry.
Bel said poorly written contracts and awkwardness made her feel obligated to star in sex scenes, even though she felt uncomfortable.
However, she added that since the MeToo movement, there seems to be a “new code of conduct” as actors feel more protected.
She has since starred in A Royal Night Out as Princess Margaret and starred in Dolly Parton’s Everything I Know About Love.
Her most recent project is A Small Light, which is now streaming on Disney+.
Bel has been cast as Miep Gies – the infamous keeper of Anne Frank’s diary who helped hide her Jewish family.
Recent Role: Bel plays Miep Gies in A Small Light, which streams on Disney+
Romance: Bel and her fiancé Douglas Booth are said to have met on the set of Mary Shelley
And it’s not the only project she has in the pipeline for release this year, including a historical miniseries about the US Air Force, with a sci-fi romance project also said to be in the works.
Bell and her fiancé Douglas Booth allegedly met on the set of Mary Shelley filmed in Dublin and Luxembourg in 2016.
In July 2021, the couple shared enigmatic messages announcing that they had taken their relationship to the next level.
Douglas’s post suggested he’d proposed, while Powley referred to him as her “husband.”
Bel is also good friends with Mamma Mia actress Lily James, and the two are said to be part of the same North London social circle.
When she wrapped up her role in A Small Light last year, Bel shared a smiling photo of herself outside a movie trailer.
‘That’s a wrap on A Small Light!!,” she wrote. “Making this show was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life. Thank you everyone who made it so special.
“Coming soon to @disneyplus @natgeotv…stay tuned.”
Lead role: Bel co-starred with Emma Appleton in Dolly Alderton’s Everything I Know About Love in 2022
She’s also lined up to guest star in another historical miniseries – this time about the US Air Force, called Masters Of The Air, according to IMDb.
According to British GKthe show – which also stars Austin Butler, Rafferty Law and Anthony Boyle and is produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg – chronicles the stories of airmen who fought in the skies for the Allies during World War II.
It is a sequel to the 2001 hit Band of Brothers.
deadline also reports that a sci-fi romance starring the actress – called Turn Me On – is in the works.
According to the outlet, it’s set in a world where humanity takes a daily vitamin to curb the “discomfort of human emotion” — but a young couple decides to skip their dose and delve into the messy world of feelings.