Claire Danes Reflects on Navigating Early Fame, Intimacy on Set, and Evolving Industry standards
Los Angeles – Actress Claire Danes is opening up about her experiences with early fame, navigating romantic roles as a teenager, and the evolving landscape of on-set intimacy protocols in a new interview. Danes, now 45, reflects on her rapid ascent to stardom following her role in My So-Called Life and subsequent film work, including Romeo + Juliet alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
Danes acknowledges the potential for exploitation inherent in the industry, particularly for young performers, but describes her own early experiences as fortunate. She credits the “benevolent grownups” involved in My So-Called Life,including writer Winnie Holzman,for fostering a “solid,sane surroundings.” While acknowledging that casting a 21-year-old opposite a 14-year-old “wouldn’t” likely happen today,she admits uncertainty about a definitive moral stance,attributing her comfort to feeling safe during her own experiences. She enthusiastically welcomes the now-standard practice of utilizing intimacy coordinators, stating, “How did we not have that before?”
The actress, who was 17 during filming of Romeo + juliet with DiCaprio, then 21, also credits her parents’ active involvement on set and a subsequent decision to attend Yale University for helping her navigate the pressures of early stardom. “My parents were always very present when I was on set as a kid,” she said, “and made sure I was protected and my needs were met.” She also recalls advice from director Jodie Foster, who urged her to “advocate for myself” and “relax.”
Despite decades in the industry and numerous accolades, Danes maintains a grounded viewpoint, describing the attention and awards as “kind of just noise.” Her primary focus remains on the work itself, expressing a desire to connect with audiences and continue creating.
The Beast in Me is available on Netflix starting November 13th.
