When Bridgerton Season 1 exploded onto Netflix in December 2020, one of the most talked-about elements was the sizzling chemistry between Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, and Phoebe Dynevor as Daphne Bridgerton. Their on-screen romance—particularly the steamy kissing scenes—became instant fan obsession. But behind the passion, the duo had quietly established a very specific, very professional agreement long before cameras rolled: no tongue, no improvisation, and absolute trust in each other’s boundaries.

In multiple interviews after the show’s release, both actors have revealed that they sat down early in pre-production with intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot and director Tom Verica to map out exactly how every intimate scene would play out. “We agreed that nothing would happen that wasn’t discussed and rehearsed beforehand,” Dynevor told Entertainment Weekly in 2021. “We wanted the scenes to feel real and passionate, but we also wanted to feel completely safe. So we set very clear rules: no tongue unless it was scripted and agreed upon, and if either of us felt uncomfortable at any point, we stopped immediately—no questions asked.”

Page echoed the sentiment in a 2021 Variety interview, emphasizing the importance of professionalism over spontaneity. “Phoebe and I both came from theater backgrounds, so we’re used to choreographing intimacy like a dance. We treated every kiss like a fight scene—precise, rehearsed, and respectful. The chemistry you see is real, but it was built on trust, not surprises. There was never a moment where one of us went off-script or pushed a boundary.”

The agreement extended beyond just the physical. They also decided to keep their personal lives completely separate from the work. “We never hung out alone outside of set,” Dynevor later shared on The Tonight Show. “We wanted to protect the friendship we were building and make sure the lines between character and real life stayed clear. That made it easier to be vulnerable on camera.”

The decision paid off. The Season 1 sex scenes—particularly the iconic library encounter and the honeymoon sequence—were praised for their sensuality and emotional depth, earning the show massive viewership and critical acclaim. Fans and critics alike noted how natural and intense the chemistry felt, unaware that it was the result of meticulous planning rather than spontaneous passion.

Both actors have since spoken openly about the role of intimacy coordinators in modern television. Page called Talbot “a game-changer” in ensuring safety and consent, while Dynevor credited the process with allowing her to fully inhabit Daphne without fear. “It’s empowering to know you can say no at any moment,” she said. “That freedom actually makes the performance better.”

The agreement also helped dispel persistent rumors about real-life romance between the leads. Despite fan shipping and tabloid speculation, both have consistently maintained that their connection was purely professional. “We were friends who trusted each other completely,” Page told GQ in 2022. “That’s what made the scenes work. Nothing more.”

Bridgerton changed the game for period drama and intimacy on screen. The show’s success proved that steamy scenes could be both hot and respectful when actors prioritize communication, consent, and preparation. Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor’s secret pact—no tongue unless agreed, no surprises, total trust—became the quiet foundation for one of television’s most iconic couples. It wasn’t passion born from impulse; it was passion built on professionalism. And that, in the end, is what made it unforgettable.