Watch Sex
- TV-MA
- 2020
- 1 Season
-
5.9 (779)
Sex is a 2021 adult comedy-drama television series that explores modern intimacy and human connection through the lens of three women in their 40s living in Glasgow, Scotland. The show stars Catriona Balfe as Alexa, a single mother navigating the dating world after her divorce; Emun Elliott as James, Alexa's best friend and confidante; and Suranne Jones as Lori, a married gynecologist struggling in her relationship.
Though openly about sex and desire, Sex aims to tell a nuanced story about mature women leading complex emotional lives. Alexa contends with raising her two teenage children while seeking fulfillment outside of her family role. Lori attempts to recapture passion in her stale marriage through an affair. James engages in casual dating while pining for true love. Their stories intersect as they lend support, challenge assumptions, and search for happiness.
Balfe brings warmth and likability to Alexa as she stumbles through awkward dating encounters and an unexpected pregnancy. Elliott infuses James with wit and compassion. Jones captures Lori's simmering frustration and longing. The three leads have an easy, relatable chemistry that grounds the show.
Sex sets itself apart with steamy yet naturalistic sex scenes, shedding light on the vulnerabilities, humor, and communication inherent to physical intimacy. The sex is not gratuitous, but woven into each episode's narrative and emotional arcs.
Though primarily centered on the three women, the supporting characters add layers to the story. Alexa's ex-husband and children, Lori's husband and co-workers, and James' dates offer foils and context to the leads' inner lives. Glasgow itself becomes a character, its streets, bars, and landscapes providing a backdrop for the characters' journeys.
With thoughtful scripts bringing nuance and humanity to intimate subject matter, Sex aims to tell relatable stories about mature people navigating universal desires. It's an unflinching, moving look at the complexity of 21st century relationships through the lens of three unforgettable women.