Sarah Solemani has called for discussion on what female actors can be allowed to be asked to do in auditions, after revealing a series of disturbing experiences in the TV and film industry.

As the Harvey Weinstein allegations continue to make waves across Hollywood and prompt discussion on sexual assault and harassment in society in general, Solemani has written a piece for The Guardian, in which she recalls being asked to undress in a director’s home.

The unnamed man, in his 50s at the time while Solemani was aged 19, invited the actor to dinner at his home, before asking her to ‘prove’ how comfortable she was with nude scenes by getting undressed there and then.

She recalls that she ended up telling him, “I’ve got a little bit of period left” and was left “feeling responsible” for the resulting uncomfortable atmosphere and apologising.

“I did that thing women do, when the shame of an inappropriate proposition gets dumped on our doorstep and we feel compelled to clear the steaming mess up. Don’t feel embarrassed! I said. I don’t care! I’m a free spirit! I’m sorry I’ve got a bit of period left! […] It was a decade before it occurred to me what an abuse of power this had been.”

And the writer-actor – star of Him & Her, Bridget Jones’s Baby and Bad Education – says the toxic culture begins in the audition room, “often with a female casting director supervising.”

Bridget Jones star Sarah Solemani says women need more protection in auditions