Alexander Skarsgård Says 'Wicker' Sex Scenes With Olivia Colman Were 'Super Fun'

Alexander Skarsgård has revealed that filming intimate scenes with Olivia Colman for their unconventional romantic comedy Wicker was 'super fun', explaining how the film combines sensuality with unexpected moments of physical comedy.

The Swedish actor, who plays a life-sized husband made entirely from wicker, said the scenes include moments when the couple's bed breaks beneath them. Speaking about the experience, he praised the balance between the characters' tender moments and the film's playful humour.

'We wanted those moments when the bed crashes and breaks, and the way they comment on that in the scene is quite comedic,' he said. 'But [the characters] also have tender moments and sexy moments; it was great.'

The film pairs Skarsgård with Colman in a story that takes an unusual approach to romance, marriage and the pressure to conform to society's expectations.

Inside the Unusual Romance of 'Wicker'

Colman plays a lonely fisherwoman living in a medieval village where her unmarried status makes her the subject of ridicule. Determined to find companionship, she asks a basketmaker, played by Peter Dinklage, to create a husband from woven wicker.

Skarsgård plays the resulting figure, who becomes a devoted companion and lover. His arrival, however, disrupts the village's social order and sparks jealousy among the other women, adding another layer of comedy to the film's unusual love story.

Based on Ursula Wills-Jones's short story The Wicker Husband, the film blends fairy-tale elements with questions about relationships, social hierarchy and the expectations placed on women.

Olivia Colman Reacts to 'Wicker's' Viral Attention

Colman has also been surprised by the attention surrounding the film, particularly the online fascination with Skarsgård's distinctive costume and the romantic appeal of his wicker character. The Oscar-winning actress acknowledged that the reaction was unlike anything she had experienced with previous projects.

'No, literally this has never happened for anything I've done before,' she said. 'But you put Alexander Skarsgård in an interesting outfit, and everyone is looking.'

The trailer has inspired social media jokes and suggestive comments about the practicalities of having a romantic relationship with a partner made from woven wood. Swedish furniture retailer IKEA even joined the conversation, sharing images of rattan furniture on Instagram alongside the caption 'husband material'.

Despite the online jokes, Colman has suggested that the film's appeal goes beyond its unusual central character. She sees it as an opportunity for audiences to enjoy a little escapism. 'We all love a little bit of escapism,' she said. 'That's what film is beautiful for.'

More Than an Unusual Love Story

Elizabeth Debicki, who also appears in Wicker, believes Skarsgård's striking costume has helped fuel the film's online popularity. 'I think it was a lot to do with Alex in a wicker man costume, really,' she said.

The cast has also highlighted the themes beneath the film's offbeat premise. Skarsgård has pointed to its exploration of 'hierarchy' and 'social structure', while the story examines how communities judge people who do not follow traditional expectations.

Although the film's intimate scenes and unusual romance have attracted much of the attention, its wider message centres on love, acceptance and the freedom to choose a life that does not fit society's rules.

Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, Wicker received a range of critical responses, with reviewers divided over its distinctive concept and execution. The film is scheduled to arrive in UK cinemas on 30 October 2026, giving audiences the chance to see Skarsgård and Colman's unconventional romance unfold on the big screen.