'It's really empowering': Sherlock star Lara Pulver said she was happy to strip off for pre-watershed scenes

By Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 9:25 AM on 10th January 2012

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Some actresses refuse to strip off completely for a nude scene and will cover as much as possible using camera trickery and strategically placed flesh-coloured clothing.

But not Sherlock actress Lara Pulver, who revealed that she was persuaded to shed all her clothes and go completely nude for a scene.

And she said she found the experience to be completely empowering - even if it did offend more than 100 viewers in the process.

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Empowering: Actress Lara Pulver said she was persuaded to go completely naked for her pre-watershed scenes in Sherlock

Lara, 31, appeared in the first episode of the new series of the BBC drama as dominatrix Irene Adler, who strips down to her birthday suit, much to the surprise of the detective, played by Benedict Cumberbatch.

Speaking to the Radio Times magazine, Lara said she was given 'invisible' props to cover her modesty as she filmed the scenes.

She said: 'They give you a self-adhesive bra that sticks to you and ... imagine a sanitary towel made of tan Lycra, but with wire through it so it cups the underneath of you. And Louboutin shoes.

'Paul McGuigan, the director, very sweetly said to me, "OK, the choice is we spend hours shooting it to avoid seeing straps or we take all that off and shoot it quickly".

Strategically placed limbs: Lara said it was easier to go naked and film the scene in a few hours than wear 'invisible' clothing and spend all day on set

'I thought I couldn't put myself through being there all day, practically naked anyway, so I might as well get completely naked and get it done in a few hours.

'There's nothing to hide behind, no mask, and something really empowering takes over.'

And she said her co-stars Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were very supportive - even though Freeman couldn't resist a making a couple of 'harmless' jokes.

'By the end of it I wouldn't move on to the next line until Benedict had stared at my boobs!'

Feeling shy, Holmes? Lara said she wouldn't say her next line until Benedict Cumberbatch, who play Sherlock, had 'stared at my boobs'

More than 100 viewers complained about the scenes which saw Lara's character strip naked to surprise Sherlock when he comes to her house to question her and were aired just after 8.30pm, half an hour before the 9pm watershed.

But Cumberbatch, 35, said he thought it was great publicity for the show and added: 'I think there’s an awful lot of support for the way that we did it
and the taste that we did it with. And if it creates more interest in the programme, thank you very much for that.

'It’s not supposed to be a source of stimulation for the audience. It’s supposed to throw his (Holmes’) radar off, which is exactly what it does.'

Supportive: Lara said Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, who plays Dr Watson, were great with her - even though Freeman couldn't resist a couple of 'harmless' jokes