Martin Freeman addresses controversial x-rated scene with Jenna Ortega after backlash for age-gap movie

Martin Freeman has spoken out on his recent movie, Miller's Girl, addressing the controversial age gap which riled some fans.

The film ruffled feathers when its first trailer dropped at the back end of last year, with fans seeing a very different side to Wednesday star, Jenna Ortega, 21.

In the movie - which landed on Netflix last week - Ortega stars as 18-year-old student Cairo Sweet, with The Hobbit favorite Martin Freeman starring at her college teacher, Jonathan Miller.

It's short and simple synopsis reads: "A creative writing assignment yields complex results between a teacher and his talented student."

As you can imagine, the R-rated movie is pretty steamy - something which caused a bit of a stir in light of there being a 31-year age gap between Ortega and Freeman, 52.

While only 21, Ortega has been in a series of movies and TV shows already, so she's no stranger to how the film industry works - something which was backed up by the intimacy coordinator on set of Miller's Girl.

In fact, Kristina Arjona said that Ortega was 'very determined and very sure of what she wanted to do' in the film's sex scenes.

Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman star in Miller's Girl. (Lionsgate)

In the wake of the movie not going down too well with critics, with some of the negativity coming down to them feeling uncomfortable about Ortega and Freeman's age gap, Freeman has now defended the film.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, the 52-year-old described Miller's Girl as 'grown-up and nuanced'.

Noting his age gap with his co-star, Freeman went on: "It's not saying, 'Isn't this great?' Are we going to have a go at Liam Neeson for being in a film about the Holocaust?"

Martin Freeman has responded to the movie's backlash. (Lionsgate)

At the time of writing, Miller's Girl has just 29 percent on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer.

One reviewer labelled Ortega and Freeman as being 'ill-matched'.

"The hot-for-teacher drama backfires as it gets icky rather quickly when the repartee turns farcical," they wrote. "Good cast, and beautifully shot, but never able to rise above the ill-matched Freeman-Ortega combo."

Other viewers have echoed similar sentiments.

“NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! Jenny Ortega, how dare you act such a scene. That's it, You are grounded, grounded, grounded, grounded, grounded, grounded, grounded until the next season of Netflix Wednesday Series,” one frustrated fan wrote.

Another commented: "An erotic thriller starring Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega lol like what were people expecting."

Good or bad, Miller's Girl has sure got people talking.

Topics: Jenna Ortega, Film and TV, Celebrity

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

@niamhshackleton