Léa Seydoux says shooting nude scenes soon after giving birth to her second child was a 'difficult' experience

Léa Seydoux has spoken about the 'difficulty' of filming nude scenes so soon after giving birth to her second son but feels it is important that she is 'relatable'.

The French actress, 41, welcomed her second child, a son, in December 2024, and two months later filmed an intimate scene in The Unknown (L’Inconnue).

In the film, her character Eva is seen nude in a mirror scene after a supernatural body swap, she also shot Gentle Monster shortly after, which also featured a nude scene. 

Léa has suggested she intentionally showed off her postpartum body in the films because she feels it is important that to see 'real bodies'.

Speaking about the experience with ELLE UK, she said: 'They were difficult for me, of course, but it's the body I had at the time I made those films. 

'I think it's important to see bodies that you can relate to… to make it more believable in a way. It was a few months after I gave birth, and I'm proud to show my body, that is, a real body.' 

Léa Seydoux has spoken about the 'difficulty' of filming nude scenes so soon after giving birth to her second son but feels it is important that she is 'relatable'

The French actress, 41, welcomed her second child, a son, in December 2024, and two months later filmed an intimate second in The Unknown (L’Inconnue)

Léa has suggested she intentionally showed off her postpartum body in the films because she feels it is important that to see 'real bodies'

Léa's breakthrough role was in Blue Is The Warmest Colour, which is often discussed as problematic in the #MeToo era because of how the film was made, and how female sexuality is represented in it.

The most serious issue is the accounts of working with director Abdellatif Kechiche, Lea and her co-star Adèle Exarchopoulos said they'd never work with again.

Léa explained that while the shoot was still problematic back then, it was definitely 'of another era', which she doesn't believe would take place today. 

'It would have been a different movie if it were made today. I think that the way the movie was shot was [of] another era,' she said.

'Of course, it was problematic at the time. And thank God, thank – I don't know who – that [things have] changed, because it was not made with a lot of respect.'

Léa also spoke about her involvement in the James Bond films and the future of the franchise now there is a new director at the helm. 

She said: 'I really loved working with [former Bond producer] Barbara Broccoli and her brother Michael [G Wilson]. It was one of the best experiences, a pure delight. And I don't know, it will be different. 

In the film, her character Eva is seen nude in a mirror scene after a supernatural body swap, she also shot Gentle Monster shortly after, which also featured a nude scene

Speaking about the experience with ELLE UK, she said: 'They were difficult for me, of course, but it's the body I had at the time I made those films'

Léa's breakthrough role was in Blue Is The Warmest Colour, which is often discussed as problematic in the #MeToo era because of how the film was made, and how female sexuality is represented in it

[New Bond director, Denis Villeneuve] is a great choice, let's see. I'm curious how they will reinvent it. But for me, it will never be the same because it was Barbara's father who initiated the Bond movies. Now, I don't know, it became American… I hope they will keep the British spirit.'

Léa also commented on the new 007 and believes it needs to be a 'layered' character, but claimed that could be 'hard to find' in young actors. 

Léa, who is also mother to son George, previously claimed Hollywood is harder on women because feminine youth and beauty are valuable commodities within the mainstream film industry.

She has enjoyed a prolific career both domestically and internationally following her emergence in the Franco-Belgian 2006 comedy Girlfriends.

But while she remains satisfied with a body of work that includes a career-defining role as Bond girl Madeleine Swann in 007 instalments Spectre and No Time To Die, Léa believes female stars are under greater pressure to preserve their looks in order to stay in work.

She told the April 2024 edition of Harper's Bazaar: ‘The industry in America… I find it harsh on women. It’s hard for women to age.

'I don’t want to be afraid not to be desirable or to lose my contract. In America it’s economic, and when it becomes a matter of making money, you lose your freedom.

'I don’t feel comfortable with the fact that you have to tick all the boxes. Being a woman on screen is easier in Europe.’

'I don’t feel comfortable with the fact that you have to tick all the boxes. Being a woman on screen is easier in Europe.’

The star admitted the transition from leading woman in her native France to supporting actor in mainstream American films is an understandable one.

‘I’m really satisfied with the parts I’m given... I’m not frustrated,' she said. 

'It’s tough for someone who’s not totally American to lead a Hollywood film.’

She added: ‘Acting is not comfortable at all for me. It’s like a laboratory. 

'I try things. Sometimes it works, more or less.

Lea's body of work includes a career-defining role as Bond girl Madeleine Swann in 007 instalments Spectre (pictured) and No Time To Die

'It’s not very pleasant, but I have to say it makes me feel alive. I use fear, and transform it into something tangible.’

While she could be forgiven for being overwhelmed by global recognition, enhanced by the pivotal role she played alongside former 007 Daniel Craig as his fraught lover, the actress admits she remains unfazed.

She said: ‘Fame is really not something that interferes in my life. Sometimes I’m surprised when people look at me in the street.

'And then I’m like, “Oh yes, I forgot. I’m famous,” but so many people don’t recognise me, it’s crazy. I can take the train or bus with no problem.

'People are like, “What? Seydoux? How do you spell it?” They’ll put a C and I’m like, “No, S! S!” They don’t know who I am.