Kate Beckinsale has downplayed her sex scene with Colin Farrell, insisting it was more of a "frisky hug".

The British actress stars alongside the Irish hunk in a remake of the 1990 movie Total Recall.

Kate's assassin character Lori is married to Colin's Doug Quaid and soon after she arrived on the set, the pair had to film a love scene.

However, Kate insists the clinch wasn't as steamy as people may think.

"It wasn't a sex scene," she told Empire magazine. "It was a bit of a frisky hug."

Kate's husband Les Wiseman directs the movie. Although some people may feel uncomfortable kissing another man in front of their spouse, Kate took it all in her stride.

"It's always more awkward for the other person, I think. I've got no movable parts, so I can be inscrutable," she quipped.

Kate also spoke about playing the character of Lori in the film. She was initially surprised when Les suggested she would be perfect for the role.

"When Len started working on the script he said, I've got you in mind for this awful villainous b***h-wife,'" the star laughed. "Which upset me a tiny little bit, but I moved through that."