‘Westworld’ Sex Scandal: SAG-AFTRA Scolds HBO Over Delayed Response

SAG-AFTRA is scolding HBO for taking so long to rectify the Westworld sex scandal, in which more than 50 extras were told they’d have to perform simulated sex acts on camera.

A consent form promulgated by Central Casting, which cast extras for the sci-fi series, said the extras would be required to take part in “graphic sexual situations,” including “genital-to-genital touching” and simulated “oral sex with hand-to-genital touching.”

HBO issued a statement blaming Central Casting , saying the consent form “was not requested, written or approved by HBO, Warner Bros. Television, or the producers, and contains situations that we do not require of any actor. We are rectifying immediately the discrepancies in this vendor’s document with our actual on-set practices, which provide a professional and comfortable working environment for all performers.”

SAG-AFTRA, however, is wondering why it took HBO so long to rectify the situation. “SAG-AFTRA sent the consent form to HBO [Tuesday] afternoon and requested that the document be changed to more accurately reflect the contractual provisions,” a union spokesperson said. “HBO had every opportunity to rectify this situation, and it was only after their direct refusal to remedy this that we posted the notice on our website. The union is very pleased to hear that HBO is doing the right thing now, but it is disappointing that we had to take such public measures to ensure compliance with our contracts and protect our background actors.”