Andrew Davies jokes ‘Sanditon’ includes male nudity to "please" his wife.
The ‘Pride and Prejudice’ screenwriter – who has been married to Diana Huntley since 1960 – has also penned the script for ITV’s upcoming adaptation of Jane Austen’s unfinished final novel, and he has opened up about the way the upcoming ITV drama handles a scene in which male characters strip off on camera.
He said: "As my wife has been saying, something she constantly says is that she has no objection to female nudity but she’d like to see a great deal more male nudity on the screen so I try to please her.
"And I never think of the sensitivities of the poor guy. I thought it looked so beautiful, particularly Arthur [Parker, played by Turlough Convery] scrambling out of his clothes."
Actor Leo Suter – who plays Young Stringer in the series – also weighed in and insisted there is a big difference between men and women baring their bodies on screen.
He explained: "I don’t think it’s the same thing when a man gets naked and a woman gets naked. For me, I don’t mind it because it’s a question of objectification.
"I put my face out on telly so I’ve already lost anonymity so if somebody sees my arse it doesn’t bother me that much, but a woman’s arse and a woman’s breast has far different cultural meaning than a man’s does so it’s hard to say."
He also explained how context is key, and insisted there has to be a reason for nudity to be included.
He added: "Done right, I think that’s the important point…if you’re going to include it you need to include it well and smartly."
Andrew Davies reflects on Sanditon male nudity
