Shadow and Bone star on how sexual consent changed relationship

Shadow and Bone spoilers follow.

Shadow and Bone star Ben Barnes has spoken out about how important it was to make a change from the original book for the new Netflix TV adaptation of the story.

Shadow and Bone focuses on the heroic Alina Starkov, who becomes entwined with the powerful but dark General Kirigan – also known as 'The Darkling'. Although at first Alina sees Kirigan as a kindred spirit who can help her to hone her magical powers, it becomes clear that he has some secret ulterior motives for taking her under his wing, as he actually wants to use her powers to help him take control of the Fold.

In Leigh Bardugo's original novel, Kirigan takes Alina by surprise by kissing her and they later seem to come close to having sex. However, in the Netflix adaptation, it is Alina (Jessie Mei Li) who makes the first move on Kirigan (Barnes) – and he later asks her "Are you sure?" when things get passionate between them.

COURTESY OF NETFLIX//Netflix

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Barnes revealed that there were some important discussions behind the scenes about how to play the passionate moments between Alina and Kirigan.

What to Read Next

"There was definitely discussion about that – that if she kisses him, it gives Alina more agency. And I said, 'But does it?'" he said. "Because we've been paying attention the last couple of years and it gives her the semblance of agency, but she's still an orphan who doesn't really understand the rules with this man who is willing to burn things to the ground and is manipulating his power."

The actor, who has also starred in The Punisher, added that it was he who wanted to add a hesitation from Kirigan into his and Alina's passionate scene, revealing that he wanted viewers to question how much agency Alina has in the situation.

"My contribution was during the steamiest moment in the book and in the show where I throw Alina on the table," he explained. "I wanted to add something, which ended up being, 'Are you sure?'

Netflix

"It doesn't solve anything. He's a problematic character no matter which angle you look at him from. He's unforgivable and uncondonable in his abuses of power. But I wanted to flag that as a theme worth exploring for them because it makes it relevant.

"It's a catalyst for discussion about whether she does have agency in this moment and whether we're making our own choices and whether there's any room for understanding between them given that he might really have feelings for her.

"And it was very important to me to bring something of myself to the moment before it's revealed that he's as manipulative as he is. As an actor, I have to come up with ways to forgive him and motivate his choices."

Netflix

Barnes expanded on this idea while speaking to TVLine, saying that Kirigan's relationship with Alina is clearly "problematic" due to the imbalance of power between them.

"He's at the top of the food chain [in] the hierarchy of the world, and he manipulates and abuses his power in order to make her do his bidding, essentially," he said. "He tries to convince her of his ideologies along the way and tries to share with her as much as he feels he can, but he's a mistrustful person."

Shadow and Bone is now available to watch on Netflix.