Prime Video Germany producers back early use of intimacy co-ordinators on ‘Game of Keys’

The producers behind Prime Video Germany’s upcoming drama Game of Keyshave urged the industry to involve intimacy co-ordinators from the earliest stages of production, saying the approach improved both creative development and actor wellbeing.

Speaking ahead of the series’ premiere, UFA Fiction producers Ulrike Leibfried and Sinah Swyter revealed that intimacy co-ordinator Emilia Bähr joined the project during casting and remained involved throughout production, as per Deadline.

Swyter said Bähr's presence from the beginning helped cast members feel comfortable and build trust before filming started.

"She was part of the castings," Swyter said, explaining that actors had the opportunity to develop a relationship with Bähr long before shooting intimate scenes. The producer added that the co-ordinator also provided script feedback and became a valuable sounding board for directors.

The team wanted intimate moments to be integral to the story rather than simply provocative. "Some of the sex scenes are quite funny, some of them are really intense and some are emotional," Swyter said, noting that the production aimed for a diverse portrayal of intimacy.

Game of Keys stars Paula Kalenberg and Martin Bruchmann and is based on Prime Video’s Mexican original series. The drama follows a group of friends who agree to play a daring game in which they randomly exchange keys, setting off a chain of romantic and emotional complications.

Leibfried said creating a safe environment for performers was "super important" from the outset. She also argued that intimacy co-ordinators could support productions beyond sex scenes, suggesting their expertise could extend to physically and emotionally challenging moments.

"Being prepared in that moment can be so helpful," Leibfried said, referring to scenes involving conflict, shouting or physical confrontation.

The German adaptation differs from the Mexican original by moving the setting from Mexico City to an unnamed suburban town. Leibfried said the creative team deliberately avoided Berlin because its sexually open culture would make the show's premise less surprising.

"We quickly agreed ... that we shouldn't set the show in Berlin," she said. "Being suburban makes it more of a surprise when someone comes along and suggests playing a game like that."

The producers also wanted the series to feel accessible to mainstream audiences rather than niche viewers.

"We wanted to bring it out of this kinky corner and say this is normal people playing the game and seeing the consequences," Swyter said.

Game of Keyspremieres on Thursday at Seriencamp in Cologne and is expected to launch on Prime Video later this year. The producers said they are confident the show's themes will resonate internationally and travel well beyond Germany.