Viewer discretion is advised, but curiosity is highly encouraged!
In a world where subtlety is as outdated as dial-up internet, we find ourselves irresistibly drawn to the shows that push the boundaries of decency, leaving us both enthralled and shamelessly addicted.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when TV producers throw caution (and sometimes clothing) to the wind, prepare yourself for a journey through the sauciest, sexiest, and most sensuous series that have ever graced our screens.
Come with us as we venture into uncharted territories of TV, where even the primmest and most proper would turn a rosy shade of scandalized with the best raunchy TV shows we could find.
P-Valley, Starz (2020 – present)
This steamy TV show whisks you away to Chucalissa, Mississippi, where every corner is a twilight zone of desires and desperation. At the helm is Uncle Clifford, a gender-bending tornado of sass and secrets, managing The Pynk a strip club where neon lights shimmer and secrets run deep.
The show revolves around the lives of the women who work there. The dancers, including Mercedes and Autumn, are not just performers but complex individuals with their own dreams and challenges.
The show is a gripping and unapologetic look at a world where ambition, desire, and survival intersect, making it a standout series that challenges conventions and captivates viewers.
Sex/Life, Netflix (2021)
Follow the life of Billie Connelly, a married woman and mother who finds herself reminiscing about her wild and passionate past with her ex-boyfriend, Brad Simon. Billie’s vivid and explicit journal entries about her past sexual escapades create a storm in her marriage with Cooper, a stable but predictable husband.
Set against the backdrop of a luxurious suburban lifestyle, Sex/Life explores the tension between domesticity and longing as Billie grapples with her desire for excitement and adventure.
It’s a rollercoaster ride of emotions, lust, and the eternal question of whether the grass is truly greener on the other side.
The Sex Lives of College Girls, HBO Max (2021 – present)
This fresh and risqué TV series peels back the layers of college life, shedding light on the sometimes awkward, often hilarious, and occasionally steamy experiences of four roommates at the prestigious Essex College.
The show follows the lives of these diverse young women as they navigate the treacherous waters of higher education, dealing with everything from academic pressures to the complexities of modern relationships. Sex plays a prominent role in their stories as they explore the joys and pitfalls of intimacy in the digital age.
With its candid exploration of the messy, funny, and sometimes awkward aspects of young adulthood, The Sex Lives of College Girls is a refreshing and relatable take on the modern coming-of-age story.
Fleabag, BBC Three (2016 – 2019)
Fleabag is a refreshingly audacious and occasionally raunchy TV series that brings a brutally honest and darkly comedic perspective to the life of its troubled and nameless protagonist, portrayed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Amidst the chaos of her London existence, Fleabag employs her acerbic wit and penchant for breaking the fourth wall to let viewers in on her deepest and often most intimate secrets.
The show doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexities of human relationships, including the more sensual aspects of adult life. From her quirky encounters with lovers to her candid conversations about desire and vulnerability, Fleabag paints an unfiltered picture of modern love and lust.
Bonding, Netflix (2019 – 2021)
This provocative and darkly comedy unearths the underground world of BDSM. Meet Tiff, a psychology student moonlighting as a dominatrix called Mistress May, and her best friend Pete, who becomes her assistant in the BDSM world.
As they navigate the intricate dynamics of their client’s desires and their own personal dilemmas, Bonding takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the complexities of human sexuality.
While Bonding certainly doesn’t hold back when it comes to explicit content and provocative situations, it also uses its humor and wit to shed light on the vulnerabilities and insecurities that lurk beneath the surface of its characters.
Shameless, Showtime (2011 – 2021)
Shameless is a bold and unapologetic TV series that takes raunchiness to a whole new level while offering a raw and darkly comedic look at the lives of the Gallagher family.
Set in the gritty streets of Chicago’s South Side, the show follows the chaotic and often scandalous escapades of Frank Gallagher and his six children.
Frank, the patriarch of the family, is a shameless alcoholic and con artist, and his offspring each navigate their own unique challenges while trying to make ends meet.
The show doesn’t shy away from explicit content, featuring numerous instances of sex, drugs, and outrageous behavior. It’s a raucous, no-holds-barred portrayal of a family just trying to survive.
Sex Education, Netflix (2019 – present)
Next, we venture into the tumultuous world of Otis Milburn, a socially awkward teenager who also happens to be the son of a sex therapist, Jean Milburn.
Otis, thanks to his unique upbringing, becomes an unlikely sex therapist to his fellow students, offering advice on everything from masturbation to relationships. Alongside his quirky and endearing friends, he tackles the sexual dilemmas and insecurities that come with adolescence.
The series doesn’t hold back when it comes to explicit content and frank discussions about sex and relationships, making it a refreshingly honest portrayal of the challenges faced by teenagers.
Sex and the City, HBO (1998 – 2004)
Sex and the City remains a groundbreaking TV series that unapologetically explores the romantic and sexual escapades of four fashionable and independent women living in New York City.
The show revolves around the lives of Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York, Miranda Hobbes, and Samantha Jones as they navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and career.
Set against the glittering backdrop of Manhattan, the series delves into the intimate details of the characters’ love lives, often with explicit and raunchy discussions about sex and relationships.
It broke barriers by addressing taboo subjects and challenging societal norms, making it a cultural touchstone and an enduring symbol of female empowerment.
I Love Dick, Amazon Prime Video (2016 – 2017)
Meet Chris Kraus, a frustrated filmmaker, and her husband Sylvère, who become infatuated with the enigmatic Dick, a charismatic professor and artist.
Set in the artistic and intellectual community of Marfa, Texas, the series follows Chris as she grapples with her attraction to Dick and begins writing him passionate and explicit letters that lay bare her most intimate desires.
The show challenges traditional notions of romance and delves into the complexities of infatuation and the search for personal fulfillment.
With its unique narrative style and fearless examination of taboo subjects, I Love Dick is a boundary-pushing series that offers a fresh and unflinching perspective on the intricacies of human connection and attraction.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl, ITV2 (2007 – 2011)
Meet Hannah Baxter, a high-end London escort who writes about her experiences in a secret diary under the pseudonym “Belle de Jour.”
Based on the real-life anonymous blog and subsequent books, the show offers a candid and often explicit look at Belle’s double life as a sex worker.
Set against the backdrop of the bustling city, the show delves into Belle’s adventures, encounters, and relationships with clients. It doesn’t shy away from depicting the explicit and sensual aspects of her profession, making it an unapologetically bold exploration of desire and intimacy.
Harlots, Hulu (2017 – 2019)
Stepping back in time, we venture into the scandalous world of 18th-century London’s brothels, where we meet two rival brothel owners, Margaret Wells and Lydia Quigley, as they compete for dominance in a world where power, sex, and money intersect.
Set in the seedy and opulent underbelly of Georgian-era London, the series explores the lives of the women working in these establishments, their relationships, and their struggles for autonomy.
With its lavish period setting and fearless storytelling, Harlots provides an unvarnished look at the lives of women who defy societal norms and expectations, offering a blend of historical drama and raunchy intrigue that keeps viewers hooked from beginning to end.
The Deuce, HBO (2017 – 2019)
This gritty TV series set in 1970s and ’80s New York City offers a candid look at the burgeoning pornography industry and the lives of those ensnared within it.
Set against the backdrop of Times Square, it follows a diverse cast of characters, including sex workers, pimps, police officers, and mobsters, as they navigate the evolving landscape of adult entertainment.
The Deuce doesn’t shy away from explicit content, portraying the graphic aspects of their lives with unflinching realism.
With its meticulous period detail and rich storytelling, it offers a raw portrayal of an era while examining societal forces and desires that shaped the adult entertainment industry.
Minx, HBO Max/Starz (2022 – present)
Staying in the 1970s, we take a look at Minx, a provocative TV series that ventures into the world of feminist adult publishing at the time.
Set in a time when the sexual revolution was in full swing, the show follows the ambitious and idealistic Joyce, who decides to launch a feminist erotic magazine called The Minx.
The series explores the challenges and taboos of the era as Joyce seeks to break down societal barriers and challenge the status quo through her publication. Alongside her partners, she faces challenges, moral dilemmas, and even legal battles as they navigate the uncharted waters of the adult entertainment industry.
Sexify, Netflix (2021)
In a provocative turn, Sexify explores the intersection of technology and sexuality in the modern world.
The show revolves around Natalia, a brilliant but socially awkward computer science student who embarks on a project to create an app that can predict sexual desires and satisfaction.
Set in the bustling world of a Polish university, Sexify follows Natalia and her quirky team as they navigate the complexities of sexuality, relationships, and the ever-evolving tech landscape.
With its blend of humor and thought-provoking storytelling, the series provides a fresh and intriguing take on the modern pursuit of sexual fulfillment in the digital age.
Elite, Netflix (2018 – present)
This tantalizing Spanish TV Show combines the allure of wealth, class divides, and teenage dramas with a dash of murder mystery.
Set in a prestigious private boarding school in Spain, the show follows a group of students from different backgrounds who enroll in Las Encinas.
Elite doesn’t shy away from explicit content, portraying the sensual and often raunchy aspects of its characters’ lives.
However, beneath the steamy exterior, the series weaves a gripping narrative of suspense and intrigue. A murder that occurs early in the series serves as a central mystery, unraveling the complex web of relationships among the students and uncovering dark secrets.
Euphoria, HBO (2019 – present)
Coming out as a bit of a social phenomenon, Euphoria stands out as a provocative TV series that delves into the tumultuous lives of a group of high school students as they grapple with the complexities of modern adolescence.
Set in an affluent suburban town, the show explores the dark underbelly of teenage existence, delving into themes of addiction, mental health, identity, and sexuality – with a very realistic look at the sensual, often raunchy, and drug-fueled aspects of its characters’ lives with unflinching realism.
The show is known for being a shocking but visually striking show that is easily recognized among a sea of raunchy TV shows.
Californication, Showtime (2007 – 2014)
Californication is a darkly comedic TV series that follows the life of Hank Moody, a talented but deeply flawed writer.
We get to know Hank as a charming yet self-destructive figure who navigates the ups and downs of his career, relationships, and vices with a devil-may-care attitude.
The show isn’t afraid to delve into the debauchery of the character, and we are taken on a tumultuous journey of his love life, sexual escapades, and struggles with addiction with unapologetic candor.
Through its humor and characters, coupled with its clever storytelling, we are given a compelling and provocative exploration of one man’s journey through the pitfalls and pleasures of modern life in LA.
Obsession, Netflix (2023)
In this miniseries based on the novel Damage by Josephine Hart, we meet William, a successful pediatric surgeon in London, whose life changes when he locks eyes with Anna, a magnetic presence at a lavish party.
The catch? Anna is engaged to his son Jay!
What follows is an affair touched with unapologetic intensity and boundaries pushed to their limits.
How do these two navigate such a forbidden tryst, and how will this mutually assured destruction play out? The series explores themes of lust, infidelity, and the destructive power of obsession.
Sense8, Netflix (2015 – 2018)
This mind-bending show takes us into the world of eight individuals from different parts of the world who become mentally and emotionally linked as sensates.
These sensates, also known as the cluster, share a unique psychic connection that allows them to experience each other’s thoughts, emotions, and abilities. This connection leads them on a thrilling and often raucous adventure as they discover their newfound powers and navigate personal struggles.
Of course, as they are linked on such a deep level, raunchiness and sensuality will also make an appearance, and the show unabashedly investigates this aspect, too.
Love, Netflix (2016 – 2018)
Set in Los Angeles, Love delves into the ups and downs of Gus Cruikshank, a kind but socially awkward tutor, and Mickey Dobbs, a complex and often chaotic radio producer’s relationship, as they navigate the complexities of love, intimacy, and personal growth.
While it includes explicit content and frank discussions about sex and dating, the series is more focused on portraying the emotional and psychological aspects of its characters’ journeys.
The show offers a candid and, at times, raunchy portrayal of the challenges and joys of modern dating, as well as the quirks and flaws that make its characters relatable and endearing.
Girls, HBO (2012 – 2017)
Groundbreaking and successful, Girls is considered a modern Sex and the City by many fans and follows the lives of four young women in their twenties living in New York City.
Set against the backdrop of the bustling city, Girls delves into themes of friendship, love, sex, and personal growth.
It doesn’t shy away from explicit content or frank discussions about sexuality, offering a refreshingly honest portrayal of the characters’ experiences and dilemmas.
While the series has its share of raunchy moments, it also provides an introspective and often humorous look at the characters’ insecurities, aspirations, and attempts to find their place in the world.
Big Mouth, Netflix (2017 – present)
This animated TV show takes a hilariously raunchy and irreverent approach to exploring the awkward and cringe-worthy aspects of adolescence.
The show centers around a group of middle school friends as they navigate the tumultuous waters of puberty.
Set in the fictional town of Bridgeton, Big Mouth delves into themes of hormonal changes, sexual awakening, identity, and friendship.
What sets it apart is its willingness to tackle sensitive topics with humor and insight. It provides a candid and, at times, raunchy look at the challenges young people face as they come to terms with their changing bodies and emotions.
The L Word: Generation Q, Showtime (2019 – 2023)
Serving as a prequel to the hugely successful drama The L Word (itself a very raunchy TV show in its time), in The L Word: Generation Q, we continue to explore the lives and relationships of a diverse group of LGBTQ+ women in Los Angeles.
Beyond its raunchy exterior, the show offers a meaningful exploration of the challenges and triumphs faced by LGBTQ+ individuals as they navigate their careers, families, and love lives.
It celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and continues to be a pioneering series in its portrayal of queer relationships and experiences.