Jenny Agutter criticises #MeToo and actresses who 'got themselves into problems'

'In the States, there were occasions when you might be asked to go to a private screening or someone’s place and you just didn’t do it – unless you found the person very attractive'

'What is sad is to be in a situation where you have to negotiate it: you shouldn’t have to do that,' the British actor said (Getty)

Jenny Agutter has said she can’t “fully understand” why actresses who have alleged sexual abuse as part of the #MeToo movement would meet with male industry figures alone.

The British star told the Radio Times: “In the States, there were occasions when you might be asked to go to a private screening or someone’s place and you just didn’t do it – unless you found the person very attractive, in which case you did do it.”

“But if they’re not really attractive, there’s nothing to be gained from it, because it’s obvious what you’re indicating by going.”

Agutter, who currently stars on the BBC’s Call the Midwife, added: “It’s terrible that anyone would use their power in that way. That’s wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong – no question about it.”

“What is sad is to be in a situation where you have to negotiate it: you shouldn’t have to do that. I was very lucky never to have to.”

Agutter relocated to Hollywood when she was in her 20s in order to pursue her career. She explained that she felt “a little bit protected” due to being in a relationship with a producer at the time.

“No one was going to hit on me, with him there! It was a bit like having the Mafia around you,” she said, adding that if she had found herself in that position she would be “back out of the door rather fast”.

She added: “Because there isn’t any part that’s worth that – and I think there’s an arrogance in me a little bit as well, which is, ‘If you’re not casting me because I’m right for the part, then why are we in this situation?’”

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