Authors Interviewing Characters: Emma Barry, Bad Reputation

Emma Barry: My latest book details the behind the scenes drama on the set of Waverley, the hit historical romance series that streams on Videon (you know, the Netflix competitor). The show’s much anticipated third season will feature actor Cole James, who starred in Central Square, one of the defining soapy teen dramas of the early 2000s. To get all the details, we have Maggie Niven, Waverley’s new intimacy coordinator.

Emma: Maggie, it’s great to chat with you. I know you’ve done your fair share of interviews what with the brouhaha around your previous job.

Maggie Niven, wincing: Thanks for having me, but—yeah, that mess wasn’t great.

Emma: For anyone who doesn’t know, Maggie used to be a high school drama teacher. She directed a controversial play that became the subject of a legal firestorm, and when she went to court to get her job back, she became a cause célèbre. You probably saw her on TV, talking about attempts to censor media in schools. Maggie, I have to say, you weathered things really beautifully.

Maggie: I appreciate that. I hadn’t planned on any of those things happening.

Emma: Who could? After winning your lawsuit, you didn’t want to return to teaching?

Maggie: I did not. Until I was fired, I hadn’t realized how toxic things have become in our schools. And even when I was vindicated, it didn’t feel like enough. I wanted a change. Then I met Zoya Delgado, the showrunner for Waverley, and she offered me a job.

Emma: And the rest is history. I’m sure we’ve all heard about intimacy coordinators—often with a bit of a wink wink, nudge nudge. What does the job really entail?

Maggie: Intimacy coordinators try to make productions safe for performers. So if actors are getting naked or simulating sex, an IC should be involved so that they can do their best work in a way that’s optimal for everyone. So on Waverley, I’ve done things such as choreographing intimate scenes and negotiating nudity waivers. Basically, I’m the liaison between the production and the talent, and I handle any conflict that comes up during rehearsal and filming. 

Emma: Waverley is famous for its steamy scenes. How do you keep things sexy and fun, while still making sure that everyone is comfortable?

Maggie: It’s not so different from how you’d approach a sword fight. First, you think about safety, because if the actors don’t feel safe, nothing else matters. Then you think about the characters. What does this scene need to convey? What purpose does it serve inside the piece? Then you work on blocking and rehearsing. Making it feel spontaneous and exciting and as if it isn’t something the actors have done a zillion times—well, that’s where the art comes in.

Emma: Speaking of art, when the cast for the third season was announced, there was a lot of interest in Cole James’s starring role. I mean, everyone loves the guy, but his energy is more “surfer dude” than eighteenth century Scottish lord in disguise.

Maggie, a little miffed: I don’t think that’s fair. Maybe Cole’s been limited by the kinds of parts he was offered when he was younger.

Emma, interested piqued: Parts that play into his looks?

Maggie, blushing furiously: Maybe.

Emma, realizing she’s on to something here: That play into the fact that he’s tall, muscular, and extremely good looking?

Maggie: Um, yes.

Emma, smiling to herself: What has it been like, working with Cole on set?

Maggie: Amazing. Cole is a lovely person and an incredible actor. I think everyone’s going to be really surprised by him.

Emma: Were you really surprised by him?

Maggie: Oh, look at the time. I have to run.

Emma, watching Maggie’s retreating back: Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say I couldn’t be more excited for the next season of Waverley, which you can read about in Bad Reputation.

—

Emma Barry is a teacher, novelist, former political staffer, and recovering academic. Emma lives with her high school sweetheart and a menagerie of pets and children in Virginia, where she occasionally finds time to read and write. You can visit her on the web at www.authoremmabarry.com.

BAD REPUTATION

In this whip-smart workplace romance from the author of Chick Magnet, a former teen star and an accidental intimacy coordinator have a plan to fix their images―and falling in love would ruin everything.

Cole James’s reputation as Hollywood’s favorite himbo no longer suits him. His fans can’t separate the real man from the character he played on a soapy teen drama decades ago. But that’s going to change with Waverley, the hit streaming historical romance series.

Maggie Niven hates her own notoriety. Fired for directing a divisive play, Maggie takes her fight against censorship public. When Hollywood comes calling, she becomes the new intimacy coordinator for Waverley. But it’s harder than she imagined to focus on the job.

Cole isn’t what she expected―and Maggie is more than he dreamed of. As filming gets underway, the cast’s old traumas lead to real intimacy, and Cole and Maggie struggle with feelings they shouldn’t have. Having an affair on set could destroy his comeback and her new career.

The show must go on. But if Cole and Maggie want a happy ending, they’ll have to start doing things their own way.

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Category: Contemporary Women Writers