‘SOMETIMES THEY CREDIT THE JANITOR. BUT NOT US’: WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE A CHILD CHAPERONE ON A FILM SET?

On the 2017 set of the psychological horror film *In Extremis*, Linda Matthews, founder of Premier Chaperones, was forced to halt a scene when a young actor, playing a cancer patient, broke down in tears, saying the role reminded her of a friend’s mother undergoing treatment. This incident underscored the critical role child chaperones play in protecting young performers on film sets.

Matthews, who left a banking career to launch Premier Chaperones in 2010, has spent 15 years safeguarding children on major film and television productions, rarely needing to stop production. According to the Culture | The Guardian story, she described herself as "not a producer" but a hands‑on guardian who does not mind being the ‘big bad person’ when a child’s emotional safety is at risk. The *In Extremis* scene involved a girl wearing a bald cap for a cancer‑patient role; the emotional reaction caused Matthews to pause filming.

Child chaperones are tasked with ensuring the physical and psychological well‑being of minors on set, a responsibility that can interrupt shooting schedules when necessary. This case illustrates how the industry must balance creative demands with safeguarding obligations.

• Linda Matthews intervened on the *In Extremis* set when a child actor cried over a role.
• She has rarely had to stop production, making this incident notable.
• The episode highlights the essential, protective role of child chaperones in film production.

Read the original source for full detail available at Culture | The Guardian src