Kate Beckinsale recounts being assaulted and felt up on film sets

Kate Beckinsale shares harrowing experiences of being assaulted and felt up, highlighting Hollywood’s systemic issues.

Kate Beckinsale, renowned for her roles in Love & Friendship and the Underworld series, recently opened up about her experiences of abuse and mistreatment in the film industry. In a social media video on December 31, 2024, she addressed Blake Lively’s ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni, highlighting systemic issues within Hollywood. While Beckinsale clarified she has no direct connection to Lively or Baldoni, she expressed solidarity, emphasizing the prevalence of such challenges for women in the industry.

Beckinsale shared multiple personal accounts, starting with an incident at 18 when a trusted colleague assaulted her. Attempts to seek help from female co-stars were dismissed. She also described injuries during fight scenes where male actors allegedly harmed her intentionally, and despite MRI evidence, she faced gaslighting and ostracization for raising concerns. She recalled working with a drunk male co-star whose unprofessionalism delayed filming and separated her from her daughter. Instead of addressing the issue, the studio offered her a bicycle to pass the time. Beckinsale said she endured insults such as being called a “bitch” during production.

She also spoke about body image pressures, recalling comments about her appearance and extreme diets that disrupted her health. In one instance, she was forced into a photoshoot the day after a miscarriage, told refusal would result in legal consequences.

While Beckinsale called for collective responsibility to eliminate abuse in the industry, she acknowledged efforts to improve workplace culture. Initiatives like the #MeToo movement and greater scrutiny of misconduct have started paving the way for change, but she emphasized the need for consistent safeguards and accountability.