Actor Jack Lowden has praised his on-screen lover’s “remarkable” performance in their bodice-ripping big-screen take on Mary Queen of Scots.
Lowden said starring alongside Golden Globe winner Saoirse Ronan, 24, as she played Mary was an amazing experience, adding: “It was one of those times where, as an actor, you really have to make sure you’re doing the acting and not just going ‘oh my god...’”
Lowden portrays the queen’s husband Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, in the film and the pair — since rumoured to be romantically linked off-screen — filmed a series of sex scenes together.
He told A List: “I don’t find filming sex scenes awkward, other than the first one I ever did. I don’t find them awkward because everyone says they’re going to be.
“And so everybody is sort of prepped for that. I think it’s quite similar to if you do a photoshoot on the street and you’re trying to look interesting and you hit a moment where you just embrace it.”
The actor, 28, who has also had roles in Dunkirk and A United Kingdom, said: “Saoirse is a brilliant leader, she’s utterly fearless and she was remarkable during takes.”
Lowden also told how he felt privileged to be on-set alongside such strong lead women, including Margot Robbie, who plays Mary’s cousin Queen Elizabeth I.
He said: “It was a great thing to be a part of it. You’re in awe of it. It was great to be next to those incredible women.”
Lowden rose to fame during his award-winning stage career before TV success in the BBC series War & Peace.
His new film chronicling the 1569 conflict between the two queens also stars Joe Alwyn, James McArdle, David Tennant and Guy Pearce, and is in cinemas from January 18.
Mary Queen of Scots is in cinemas 18 January.
