In a 2018 interview Maggie Gyllenhaal called her role in Secretary "the first time that I was given a role where I could express something about myself," describing taking the role of Lee as an opportunity to "explore something that's on the edge of what I know about myself but with the protection of fiction." She also gave director Steven Shainberg a lot of credit for his collaborative approach, describing him as "interested in me as an artist, was interested in what I was offering, and the way that shifted the story, as opposed to whatever he had imagined before I got there."
"For me, it wasn't difficult to shoot the spanking scene," says James Spader. "I was hitting a woman, yes. But it's hitting in the context of these characters, and this setting, and this story. Of course, it's not without some difficulty, but it's just one of the scenes in the film. It was a scene dealt with great care, and thoughtfulness, as the rest of the film was as well."
Two posters were made for this film, one showing leads James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal and the other showing a model from behind bending over. Gyllenhaal admitted that the model was not her but, coincidentally enough, it was someone who was dating her ex-boyfriend.
The producers asked Maggie Gyllenhaal to wear a protective pad during the spanking scene. "Why not pretend?" suggests Andrew Fierberg, concerned how her management might react. But Gyllenhaal insists. As she explained it, she had a delicate challenge. "My character is supposed to be moved by the tiniest movement of Spader's, or look or breath," she says. "So, I've allowed myself to be totally open to him."
A myriad of emotions seems to register. One is surprise. If she had it to do again, she later confesses, she might wear a pad. "I forgot you have to do 15 takes," she says. "I hurt myself in ways I didn't expect." (She ended up with a football-sized bruise and had to wear body makeup for the nude scenes later in the film.)
The producers got a permit for the wrong park when Lee walks home. The producer on set had to distract the local law enforcement that showed up while the scenes were filmed.
Erin Cressida Wilson: In Mr. Grey's waiting room, where there are three people waiting to see him, one of them is played by the film's screenwriter.