British actress Emily Atack has revealed that she experienced sexual assault during her acting career, both on sets and at industry events.
The 35-year-old star, best known for her breakout role as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in The Inbetweeners (2008), spoke to Radio Times about the challenges she faced in the entertainment industry. Atack said she wanted to shed more light on the issue through a new documentary focusing on the role of intimacy coordinators.
“Intimacy coordinators are there for support if you feel uncomfortable, whether you’re a man or a woman,” Atack explained. “I’ve been sexually assaulted at work throughout my career, whether it’s on the actual set, or at a wrap party. Since the #MeToo movement, it shows that people are listening and that there has to be a shift in behaviour.”
Atack praised her recent experience working on Disney+ drama Rivals, which features multiple intimate scenes. She noted that the presence of intimacy coordinators on set created a respectful and safe environment for actors. “Throughout my life, I haven’t always felt safe, but on Rivals we were very looked after. It’s a really positive thing,” she said.
This would not be Atack’s first documentary project. In 2023, she presented Emily Atack: Asking For It on BBC2, where she explored the rising trend of online sexual harassment. She spoke openly about the daily abuse she received on Instagram and TikTok, describing the experience as “relentless” and “damaging.”
Atack, who has been in the industry for nearly two decades, began with small roles in dramas like Heartbeat before rising to fame with The Inbetweeners. She later appeared in Only Fools and Horses prequel Rock & Chips, films such as Get Lucky and Dad’s Army, and finished second in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2018.
In addition to her documentary plans, Atack will co-host a new Saturday night game show Nobody’s Fool alongside Rivals co-star Danny Dyer. The duo are also working together on the second season of Rivals, which is based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s novels.