Don't miss Michelle Williams' upcoming TV series Dying For Sex, based on a true story of a woman who pursued her sexual freedom in the face of life-threatening illness. And we have a spring time release date that isn't far away at all, as well as an exciting trailer drop that gives us just a taste of what's to come.
It looks like there's going to be a lot on female sexuality and friendship, which we love to see. Michelle will play Molly Kochan, who documented her efforts through a podcast that she co-hosted with her best friend Nikki Boyer (played by Jenny Slate), as well as writing a memoir in the last few months of her life.
Here's everything we know so far about the much-anticipated TV show.
What is Dying For Sex about?
According to IMDB, Dying For Sex is set to be a “story of a woman diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, who abandons her husband of 15 years and begins to fully explore her sexuality.”
But it looks like the story is as much about a close female friendship as it is about our protagonist's health and sexual journey. While Michelle Williams will play main character Molly, Jenny Slate will play her best friend Nikki, who is integral to how Molly navigates this life-defining chapter.
Is Dying For Sex based on a true story?
Yes, it very much is. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, undergoing chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, radiation and breast reconstruction, Molly Kochan was then rediagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She then decided to leave her husband to “sexually explore herself”, to “reclaim her body and sexuality” and as a way of fighting back against her cancer. Her best friend Nikki says Molly described this sexual outlook as “the antithesis to death”.
The duo then created a six-part podcast, narrated by Nikki and featuring conversations and stories around Molly's hookups, her illness and lifting the lid on why she used her sexuality to understand her life. Molly died in 2019, but the podcast was released in February 2020, and has been downloaded over 5 million times. Molly also wrote a memoir before she passed away, named Screw Cancer: Becoming Whole, which was published in August 2020.
Nikki has spoken out about witnessing Molly's journey. “I asked a million questions about what and who she was doing,” she wrote in a blog post. "She was reclaiming her body in such an interesting way. We got closer and closer by the minute because she was going through the toughest health crisis of her life as well as opening up a part of her that had been closed off for so long.
"Many people may not understand her journey, and I get that. But what I can say is that until you've been faced with a terminal illness and walked in her shoes... you really can't judge her process. I was a little protective at times, but this was HER journey. And I had to just dive in and let her explore without judgment. Much like she would have if the shoe was on the other foot.
"When we recorded the Wondery podcast together, Molly was so open and funny despite being exhausted and ill. We loved working together. While driving to and from the sessions and talking the whole way, we constantly laughed together and had too many inside jokes to count.
"She really came alive when she was able to share these stories. She loved the idea of sharing her story with a huge group of strangers from a little room with two microphones.
“During her illness and while doing the podcast together, I learned so much. Molly taught me by example. Watching her navigate that portion of her life inspired me to stretch and be better; to be less judgmental and allow space for people to be vulnerable.”
Starring Seth Rogen, Catherine O'Haha and Kathryn Hahn, the series tells a very meta story of Hollywood.
Dying For Sex cast
Joining Michelle and Jenny in the cast will be Catastrophe's Rob Delaney, Jay Duplass and Tony Macht. Sissy Spacek is set to play Molly's (Michelle Williams) mother, and has been pictured (above) filming on set with Michelle and Jenny.
Dying For Sex release date
Dying For Sex will premiere on Disney+ on 4 April.
Dying For Sex trailer
We've got a first look at the show and we cannot wait to watch the whole thing. We see Michelle's rendition of Molly, who is joining dating apps to “feel” something after her cancer diagnosis. Jenny Slate's Nikki also shines as we see just how deep and defining female friendship can be.
Give us more, ASAP!
