Sex scenes are one of the appealing elements that attract viewers of Bridgerton. Image: Netflix.
Bridgerton
Since its debut in late 2020, Bridgerton has quickly made waves not only for its exploration of romance but also for its lavish settings and costumes, combined with deep emotional scenes.
Set in England during the 1800s, the characters in the series seem to be unbound by the constraints of societal norms or principles. They unabashedly express their desires while navigating the complexities of finding love.
In Season 1, the main couple, Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Duke Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page), has a total of nine “intimate” scenes, along with other tantalizing moments. The hottest is arguably a nearly three-minute long scene that transitions from the royal bedroom to a library.
The sex scenes are toned down significantly in Season 2, yet still leave viewers “breathless.”
The spin-off series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story revisits the theme while featuring many 18+ scenes highlighting intimate relationships.
Industry tackles environmental issues in a corporate setting while maintaining a lighter tone in the office. Image: BBC.
Industry
Premiering in 2020, Industry focuses on a group of fresh graduates trying to make their mark in an investment bank in London.
From the second episode onward, the show shocked viewers with its unfiltered intimate scenes.
Viewers witness characters in compromising positions while engaging in office antics.
As the series progresses, Industry continues to depict drug use and explicit “intimate” scenes.
Game of Thrones is famous for many explicit scenes. Image: HBO.
Game of Thrones
Premiering in 2011, Game of Thrones continuously “attacked” viewers with its graphic intimate scenes and violent confrontations.
According to statistics, the series contains over 82 explicit scenes across its eight seasons, especially in the first season. Nevertheless, the show remains a cultural phenomenon.
Game of Thrones also faced controversy over several violent sexual scenes, including the infamous scene where Sansa Stark is assaulted by Ramsay Bolton and the ongoing incestuous relationship between Cersei and Jaime Lannister.
Euphoria is often compared with The Idol for its explicit content. Image: HBO.
Euphoria
Created under the mastermind of Sam Levinson, Euphoria also features explicit scenes similar to The Idol, although the 2019 series received praise from critics, distancing itself from being labeled as “controversial.”
The series focuses on Rue (Zendaya), a 17-year-old girl struggling with drug addiction during her recovery, along with her group of friends.
From the first episode, viewers witness a continuous stream of explicit intimate scenes, including a shocking scene between friends in a hot tub and other characters engaging in graphic sexual acts.
Tim Winter, chairman of the Parents Television Council, an organization that opposes inappropriate content on television, specifically cites Euphoria as “openly presenting explicit content, including sex, violence, profanity, and drug use — targeted at teens and young adults.”
Obsession is criticized for exploiting the taboo relationship between a father and his son’s fiancée. Image: Netflix.
Obsession
Recently premiered in early 2023, Obsession has been flagged for its explicit scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences.
In the series, Richard Armitage plays a surgeon named William who has an illicit relationship with Anna (Charlie Murphy), the fiancée of his son Jay.
The hottest scene features William “getting intimate” on a bed in Anna’s rented apartment while on a trip to Paris.
Many viewers are shocked by the explicit nature of the scenes, which are described as overly graphic. The show also delves into BDSM relationships.
Despite featuring numerous explicit scenes, Normal People is highly acclaimed. Image: BBC.
Normal People
Normal People premiered in 2020 and quickly became one of the most compelling series produced by the BBC to date. The show tells a lengthy love story between two people, Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell Waldron (Paul Mescal), set against the backdrop of a declining social environment in Ireland.
As with The Idol, the explicit scenes are the “highlight” of the series. Altogether, there are over 41 minutes of 18+ content throughout its 12 episodes.
Although it faced some backlash due to the explicit scenes, Normal People remains a unique series that doesn’t shy away from emotional intensity. Each “steamy” scene adds a significant layer to the story and the characters’ emotional depth.
Sex/Life gained attention due to its explicit intimate scenes. Image: Netflix.
Sex/Life
Sex/Life premiered in 2021, revolving around a love triangle between mother of two Billie, her husband Cooper, and her ex-boyfriend Brad.
From its title and introduction, viewers are likely to expect Sex/Life to feature intense 18+ moments throughout the series. However, many were shocked by the level of explicitness portrayed by the director.
In one scene from the first season, Brad showcases the most intense intimate moment while Billie is distracted. Notably, actor Adam Demos gained notoriety after just one scene.
Skins gained fame for its bold approach to teenage sexuality. Image: E4.
Skins
As a well-known British series from the 2000s, Skins focuses on a group of teenagers grappling with issues like drug use, sex, and identity.
Despite its controversial content addressing sensitive topics like sexuality, teenage drug use, and mental health, the series has received critical acclaim and a dedicated audience. It has even won the BAFTA award, often referred to as Britain’s Oscar.
April Pearson, who played Michelle in the first two seasons, revealed there were no restrictions on intimate scenes during filming, leading to more graphic moments than in other series.
“I was 18 when we started filming. Therefore, I had many more intimate scenes than others. The first scene I filmed was an 18+ scene,” the actress shared on a podcast.
According to Daily Mail
