Michelle Williams’ Key Lesson from ‘Dying for Sex’: Embrace Your Pleasure

Michelle Williams stars in the new series “Dying for Sex,” where she plays Molly, a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer who decides to embrace her own sexual pleasure. Williams shares that the show’s central message, encouraging women to prioritize their pleasure, was not a common idea when she was younger. She reflects on how discussions about pleasure were often overshadowed by warnings and negative outcomes in her upbringing.

In the series, Molly leaves her sexless marriage to embark on a journey full of adventure, both kinky and humorous. Supported by her best friend, played by Jenny Slate, Molly navigates the challenges of treatments, appointments, and the emotional ups and downs of her new sexual experiences. Based on a true story and adapted from the Wondery podcast of the same name, Williams recalls feeling deeply moved by the podcast upon first listen. After reading the pilot script, she felt an instant connection and knew she wanted to be a part of bringing this story to life.

While filming the show, Williams describes tackling some of the more daring scenes as a mix of both fear and bravery, recognizing the importance of pushing boundaries in her work. She emphasizes that it is possible to feel both scared and courageous simultaneously, drawing inspiration from Molly’s journey and the theme of friendship in the series. Regarding her own experience with learning about sex compared to her daughter’s, Williams acknowledges that she was taught to view sex as complicated and daunting, but she sees a shift towards greater acceptance and equality in her daughter’s generation. She expresses hope for a more open and equal approach to sex education and discussions moving forward.