Actresses buy kinky sex director to help them get into character

Actresses claims in 18th Century prostitutes racy new drama "Harlots" will focus on the real life “Daughters Of Venus” – sex workers in London pimped out to the gentry for up to £100 a time.

In Georgian times, one in five women in the capital were hookers.

They were rated in a Yellow Pages-style directory called “Harris’ List Of Covent Garden Ladies” which detailed their age, their price and their sexual perversions.

“I bought it and it is a fascinating read”Lesley Man ville

In an age without escort apps and websites, clients had to book girls solely on the basis of their descriptions in the book.

And so the stars of Harlots got hold of a copy to study it.

“The way these women were being categorised and described can only mean that the men having the liaisons with these women were relying on that information.”

Co-star Jessica Brown Findlay added: “Some of the reviews are scathing, damning.

“Like calling a certain woman, ‘If you want someone sweaty and fat then – with her full name and address – is your girl.’ All types of women were in this list.”

Understandably, the drama series is full of sex scenes but some actors were nervous about filming them.

However, Jessica revealed: “I found it was quite amusing if you put a whoopee cushion underneath someone.

“It breaks the ice. Sex scenes are massively awkward.”