Shubhabrata Dutta
Netflix has constantly been pushing the boundaries of what is possible with TV series since it launched its first show, ‘House of Cards. ‘ Since then, a lot has changed around the world, but what has remained is their ability to create and stream shows that have become the face of television today. They have done so not just by creating stuff that has been critically acclaimed but by pushing what can or cannot be shown. They also have been quite free-spirited when it comes to sexual content, which, while never transgressing into porn, can be raunchy and exciting. While eroticism is a part of the story, these shows are spread over the varied genres that offer the viewer captivating tales.
37. Breathless (2024- )
Created by Carlos Montero, ‘Breathless’ takes place at the Joaquín Sorolla public hospital in Valencia, Spain. It explores the hospital and its operations from the usual medical, political, and emotional perspectives. In the series, an upcoming doctors’ strike collides with medical emergencies, all of which are underscored by medical jargon, raw emotions, steamy affairs, and, of course, sex. If you are into medical shows, ‘Breathless’ is a binge-worthy show, but if you are looking for something new, you have to look “hard and deep.” The series offers effective performances by Manu Rios, Borja Luna, Blanca Suárez, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, and Najwa Nimri. It can be streamed here.
36. Eve (2022)
The South Korean limited series is directed by Park Bong-seop and follows femme fatale Lee Ra El (Seo Ye-ji), who takes revenge on the powerful people who killed her parents. Ra El was a young girl when her father was killed while her mother went missing, both being parts of a sinister plot chalked out by Kang Yoon-gyeom (Park Byung-eun), the CEO of LY Group.
Ra El returns 13 years later as attractive ballet instructor Kim Sun-bin and navigates her way inside Kang Yoon Kyum’s mind, making him fall for her while making friends with his wife and daughter. All she has to do now is wait for the perfect moment to strike and wreck Yoon Kyum forever, especially financially. With revenge and betrayal abounding, ‘Eve’ weaves a glamor-filled narrative in which everyone has desires and every move is calculated, giving us a quintessential Korean thriller series that is scintillating and steamy. You can stream it here.
35. Women of the Night (2019-2020)
This gripping series follows Xandra Keizer (Karina Smulders), a married woman with a shadowy past, who is pulled into escort service business due to temptation. His husband Michiel’s (Matteo van der Grijn) political position and thirst for power gain him dangerous enemies who also have Xandra, whose business Michel has no idea about, on their radar. Meanwhile, Lulu (Susan Radder), the daughter of Xandra and Michel, reaches out to Xandra’s estranged mother, Sylvia (Hilde Van Mieghem), who also has a powerful secret of her own, one that plays a significant role in the lives of both Xandra and Michel. Created by Ian Ginn and Maarten Almekinders, ‘Women of the Night’ is an underrated titular show tightly packed with sex, drugs, crime, conspiracy, and a tug-of-war between truth and lies. You can stream it here.
34. Beauty in Black (2024- )
Created by Tyler Perry, ‘Beauty in Black’ explores the underbelly of an Atlanta strip club from the POV of two women. We have Kimmie (Taylor Polidore Williams), struggling to make ends meet as a stripper, and Mallory (Crystle Stewart), a successful businesswoman whose life trajectories collide in the most dramatic manner underscored by corruption, risks, survival, and relationships. Co-starring Xavier Smalls, Julian Horton, and Steven G. Norfleet, ‘Beauty in Black’ is yet another steamy and thrilling addition to Perry’s deal with Netflix, which also includes ‘Mea Culpa,’ starring Kelly Rowland and Trevante Rhodes. You can stream ‘Beauty in Black’ right here.
33. Supersex (2024)
A series about a pornstar is bound to find its place in a sexy-shows list. So here we are with ‘Supersex,’ a biographical series based on the life of famous Italian pornstar Rocco Siffredi (played by Alessandro Borghi). While the series does throw light on his life as a pornstar, it also shows the cost at which he got the life. So, we get to see his relationships and how he navigated his personal life and his profession, oftentimes grappling with the two. Yes, there are a lot of sex scenes, but there’s more to this story that pretty much sums up the life story of any struggler who fought alone and won and made it big in life. Created by Francesca Manieri, ‘Supersex’ can be streamed here.
32. Tiny Pretty Things (2020)
In ‘Tiny Pretty Things,’ the glamorous facade of an elite ballet academy conceals a world of fierce competition, hidden agendas, and dark secrets. Adapted from the novel by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton, this Netflix drama delves into the lives of young, ambitious dancers striving for perfection. A mysterious incident rocks the academy, unraveling a web of scandals and aspirations. Released in 2020, the series intricately brings together the beauty of ballet with a suspenseful narrative, providing a captivating glimpse into the high-stakes and cutthroat reality of the dance world. Feel free to stream it here.
31. Obliterated (2023)
‘Obliterated,’ an action dramedy streaming television series crafted by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald, unfolds a gripping narrative. An elite joint-special operations team, comprising members from diverse branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and intelligence services, is tasked with thwarting a lethal terrorist network set on detonating Las Vegas. After successfully neutralizing what they believed to be a nuclear threat, the team’s victory celebration takes a turn when they discover the bomb was a decoy. Now, in a haze of intoxication, they must rally together to uncover the real threat and avert disaster, blending humor with high-stakes action. You can watch the show here.
30. Toy Boy (2019 – 2021)
‘Toy Boy’ is a Spanish adult drama created by César Benítez, Juan Carlos Cueto and Rocío Martínez. As you may have realized from the title, it centers on a guy who is a stripper who wakes up one time not beside a woman but a man’s burned corpse. To make things worse, the man is the husband of the woman the stripper is in a sexual relationship with. So, while he has no idea what happened, he faces the consequences and ends up being sentenced to prison for 15 years. It is up to a young female lawyer who wants to clear his name to team up with him once he is released on probation and investigate the case, which is complex, to say the least. The cast of ‘Toy Boy’ includes Jesús Mosquera, María Pedraza, Maxi Iglesias and Álex González. You may watch the series here.
29. In Love All Over Again (2023)
If you love a good “Will they, won’t they” story, then ‘In Love All Over Again’ is the one to go for. This Spanish romance drama follows the story of Irene and Julio, whose relationship goes through many ups and downs. They fall in and out of love with each other, creating a complicated thread of events that leads to an unbreakable bond between them. While they navigate their confusing feelings for each other, they also have to deal with everything else life throws at them. You can watch the show here.
28. She’s Gotta Have It (2017-2019)
Created by the great Spike Lee, ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ is a 2-Season series that is based on his own 1986 film of the same name. It follows artist Nola Darling (DeWanda Wise) as she maneuvers through her professional life and personal life, with the latter comprised of a trio of lovers, namely businessman Jamie Overstreet (Lyriq Bent), the spontaneous Greer Childs (Cleo Anthony) and the funny Mars Blackmon (Anthony Ramos). A Spike-Lee classic reimagined by the director himself, ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ is a true-to-form feminist show that doesn’t force things upon you but does make them clear as crystals. You can watch it here.
27. The Law According to Lidia Poët (2023)
Loosely based on the life of the first female lawyer in Italy, ‘The Law According to Lidia Poët’ follows the story of a young Lidia who is trying to pursue a career in law but struggles to be taken seriously because she is a woman. The six-episode season focuses on Lidia’s efforts to turn herself into a legitimate lawyer while tackling cases that test her legal skills as well as her ability to solve a case. In her quest, she is accompanied by Jacopo, a journalist, with whom she develops a complicated romantic relationship. You can watch the show here.
26. Fatal Seduction (2023)
The South African iteration of Netflix’s Mexican drama series, ‘Dark Desire,’ ‘Fatal Seduction’ follows the story of Nandi. She goes on a weekend trip with her best friend to take a break from everything. Things have been difficult in her marriage as her relationship with her husband has taken a hit. Her best friend suggests she take it easy and maybe even indulge in a fling during the weekend. While Nandi is hesitant at first, she acts on the advice. Everything comes crashing down when her best friend goes missing, and the investigation opens a Pandora’s box of secrets, making Nandi wonder if she can trust anyone anymore. You may watch the Netflix series here.
25. A Girl and an Astronaut (2023)
This Polish sci-fi series follows Niko, a fighter pilot who is chosen for a space program that is designed to send him into cryosleep. It’s supposed to be short-term, but by mistake, the timer is set for thirty years. When Niko finally returns to Earth, the people he left behind look much different, with lives that don’t include him anymore. One of those people is Marta, whom Niko was in love with and who is now married to his best friend. You can watch ‘A Girl and an Astronaut’ here.
24. Grey’s Anatomy (2005–)
Created by Shonda Rhimes, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ is about the personal and professional lives of the doctors of the Seattle Grace Hospital. It is one of the most popular shows around the world. Besides balancing light comedy and romance with intense, dramatic situations, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ features a large, amazing cast that delivers unforgettable performances. Its characters are interesting and complex. It is well worth your time if you are searching for a sexy show. You can watch it here.
23. Young Royals (2021-2024)
Created by Lisa Ambjörn, Lars Beckung, and Camilla Holter, ‘Young Royals’ is a Swedish LGBTQ+ teen romance drama series. Appreciated for the authenticity with which it showcases teenage life, the series centers on the romance between Prince Wilhelm “Wille” (Edvin Ryding) of Sweden and Simon (Omar Rudberg), who meet at the Hillerska Boarding School. How the relationship affects them and those around them is what we see in this drama.
‘Young Royals’ addresses various themes associated with teenage life, including stalking, abuse, racism, homophobia, infidelity, and more. How it points out all these while grabbing onto its main romantic plot is what makes the series a worthy drama. It can be streamed here.
22. House of Cards (2013–2018)
‘House of Cards’ is one of the finest political thrillers in the history of television. The show is a remake of the 1990 British version, but Netflix modified it in some ways to make it more American. Francis “Frank” Underwood is as ruthless a politician as one gets. And when President-elect Walker refuses to give him the position of Secretary of State, Underwood goes on a mission to bring Walker and his close associates down to their knees. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright have done some stunning work in this show. Sex scenes are also aplenty in this series. The show also depicts homosexual relationships, threesomes, and many more. You can watch it here.
21. Class (2023-)
The Indian version of Netflix’s hit teen drama, ‘Elite,’ ‘Class’ takes the audience through the ups and downs in the lives of the students of Hampton International. It begins with a fire at a local school, following which three students from working-class families receive scholarships to attend an elite school in Delhi. As the trio tries to find a place for themselves, they are, at first, ostracised for their background. However, time leads to situations that inextricably link them all together. Feel free to check out ‘Class’ here.
20. Shameless (2011–2021)
‘Shameless’ is adapted from a British series with the same name. The Gallaghers are a poor Irish-American family with six children, an absent mother, and an alcoholic father. Fiona Gallagher, the eldest, takes care of her many brothers and sisters as best as she can. Every episode has a crazy, dramatic situation that one or more of the Gallagher Six get into. Its rawness is impeccable. And the performances of the whole cast are extraordinary. Besides that, the script has a perfect balance between comedy and drama.
With eight seasons, the characters (and also the actors) grow and face enormous challenges. There are some passionate, intimate scenes in the movie involving Fiona’s character. The show has been praised for its acting, dark comedy, and depiction of blue-collar families. Most critics have rated the series quite highly and called it a must-watch. You can watch the series here.
19. Tidelands (2018)
‘Tidelands is an Australian series that follows Cal McTeer, who returns to her native village of Orphelin Bay after spending ten years in prison for murdering someone. Orphelin Bay is not an ordinary village as it is the home of the mythical sirens who often copulate with local fishermen, which has resulted in the advent of a species called the Tidelanders.’ These siren-human hybrids have special powers, including longevity and the ability to breathe underwater. For centuries, the knowledge of the existence of the Tidelanders and Sirens has been kept secret through bribery via drug money.
Upon her arrival, Cal becomes embroiled in the power struggle in the village just as her powers start to manifest. She eventually becomes the primary challenger of Adrielle Cuthbert, the matriarch of the Tidelanders community. As the conflict between these individuals rapidly escalates, many perish, being caught in the crossfire. You can stream the series here.
18. Easy (2016-2019)
‘Easy’ is about an intertwined group of friends in Chicago who fumble through the modern maze of love, technology, and culture. Most of the episodes can be seen as a short film, although the stories are loosely connected. Dave Franco, Orlando Bloom, Kate Micucci, and Kiersey Clemons are some of the actors who feature in the cast. Overall, it is a strong adult series about people and relationships. You may Watch the Netflix show here.
17. Elite (2018–)
‘Elite’ is a Spanish show that has become hugely popular after being on Netflix. The series is centered around three friends who go to Spain’s most elite private school after getting a scholarship. The show is funny and deals with high school students who live and study together. Naturally, there are a lot of steamy moments, both hetero and homosexual, with all the students in their class. There is also a murder mystery that runs parallel to the main storyline. The show has got mixed reactions, but some critics have pointed out the fact that it does deliver what it sets out to, and that is a great thing. For all the viewers who love watching teenage dramas, this surely is a go-to show. You may watch it here.
16. Fake Profile (2023)
Taking a jab at online dating, ‘Fake Profile’ begins with a premise befitting its name. It’s the story of Camilla, who creates an attractive profile of herself on a dating site, hoping to meet her Prince Charming, with whom she can ride off into the sunset. Interestingly, she meets such a man. His name is Fernando, and he is everything Camilla ever dreamed of. After spending a dreamy vacation together, Camilla decides to surprise him but is shocked to discover that Fernando is not who he said he was. Not only is he married and has a different name, but he is also involved in some very shady things, and in trying to make him pay for what he did to her, Camilla is pulled into his world, too. You can watch ‘Fake Profile’ here.
15. GLOW (2017–2019)
‘GLOW’ (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) follows the lives of a group of women trying to make it big in the show business. This Netflix original is based on the women’s wrestling league from the 80s. Alison Brie plays a desperate actress looking for an interesting, empowering role. However, she has not been able to find one for a long time. That is how she ends up on GLOW. Its almost all-female cast will remind you of ‘Orange is the New Black.’ You can see the series here.
14. What/If (2019)
Created by Mike Kelley, ‘What/If’ is a thriller that explores the effects of respectable people finding their way into unacceptable things. It tackles the moral repercussions of such deeds and focuses on decisions that have the potential to change their fate. Rene Zellweger plays Anne Montgomery, a ruthless venture capitalist who invests $80m in a medical startup by young research scientist Lisa Donovan (Jane Levy) in return for sexual favors from Lisa’s husband, Sean (Blake Jenner). ‘What/If,’ as the title suggests, explores the possibilities and their outcomes in the face of a seeming downfall.
To save her company, Lisa accepts Anne’s offer, but when she sees her husband at the receiving end, she is left with no choice but to uncover the truth behind Anne’s magnanimity. Filled with a campy yet delectable performance by Zellweger, ‘What/If’ is a show that establishes its sexiness in the façade of a dangerous opulence. Feel free to check out the show here.
13. Gypsy (2017)
Starring the inimitable Naomi Watts, ‘Gypsy’ is a psychological thriller created by Lisa Rubin. It is a female-driven story that follows Jean Holloway, a psychologist who invades the lives of her patients in an unassuming way. Jean’s desire to be with Sidney – a woman she gets to know through her patient- remains unfulfilled. Standing at the receiving end, she is unable to weigh upon the repercussions that her dissatisfaction has on her marriage with her husband, Michael. The visual depiction of the desires is portrayed in an uninhibited tone, depicting some tantalizing lovemaking scenes.
In the end, ‘Gypsy’ leaves the viewers with a lot of probing questions that aren’t answered properly. Nevertheless, it is a show that takes us through the process of Jean’s sexual liberation, an exploration made possible by her desire to achieve more than what’s given. You can watch ‘Gypsy’ on Netflix here.
12. Lady Voyeur (2023)
This erotic Brazilian thriller follows the story of Miranda. She is a skilled hacker and likes to spy on her neighbor Cleo, who is a sex worker. Miranda’s voyeurism keeps her away from trouble as long as she doesn’t get involved in anything, and for the most part, she doesn’t. But then, one day, Cleo approaches her with an unusual request, which pulls Miranda into his world. Meanwhile, she also crosses paths with another man for whom she develops feelings, but cannot be certain whether or not his intentions for her are good. This leads to a twisted tale of secrets and lies as some really disturbing things come to light. You may Watch the Netflix show here.
11. Outlander (2014-)
A historical drama based on the eponymous novel by Diana Gabaldon, ‘Outlander’ takes us into the journey of Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a nurse who served in World War II. Claire is transported to Scotland in 1743, where she finds herself caught in the throes of the Jacobite uprising. Claire meets a Highland warrior named Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), with whom she develops a romantic relationship. The series was received enthusiastically by critics and audiences alike for its unique and satisfying adaptation of the source material.
Developed by Ronald D. Moore, ‘Outlander’ merges fantasy, time travel, and history to create an eclectic mix of genres. The series has been specifically praised for its acknowledgment of the female gaze in its sensual sex scenes. The epic romance of Claire and Jamie has evolved through its successive seasons and has gained ample recognition as one of the sexiest TV series. You can see it here.
10. Valeria (2020-)
A sumptuous sex-comedy, ‘Valeria’ is a Spanish series developed by María López based on the novel series ‘En Los Zapatos de Valeria’ by Elísabet Benavent. Married author Valeria (Diana Gomez) is unsatisfied with the way her life is going as she feels there is something missing from her marriage and her writing. In comes Victor, a charming, handsome young man with whom Valeria is visibly infatuated. She finds it difficult to maintain her marriage, along with her desire to consummate with Victor.
The show delves head-on into the sex life of Valeria as well as her three friends, Lola, Carmen, and Nerea. The sex scenes are raunchy, to say the least. The show covers a wide spectrum ranging from exhibitionism to passionate and fearless lovemaking. It is about the mechanics of sex as much as it is about the exploration of physical desires. Feel free to check out ‘Valeria’ here.
9. Dark Desire (2020-2022)
A Mexican thriller series, ‘Dark Desire’ basks in the erotic adventures of its lead character, Alma, who is married to Leo and has a teenage daughter. Alma suspects Leo of having an affair with his secretary and confides this fact to her friend, Brenda. Brenda suggests that Alma should do the same on the pretext that Leo cannot be let away scot-free. Alma gives in to her friend’s idea and also her desires and ends up having sex with a young man named Dario, whom she meets at a nightclub. But there’s a catch.
It is revealed that Leo wasn’t cheating on her, but it is now too late for Alma to backtrack from her lust and desires. The sex scenes are sensual and passionate. If you like a thriller with generous dollops of erotica, ‘Dark Desire’ is a must-watch. If you want, you may watch the series here.
8. Fishbowl Wives (2022)
‘Fishbowl Wives’ is a Japanese-language romance-drama series based on the eponymous manga by Kurosawa R. The plot revolves around six different women residing in a high-end apartment tower and trapped in various types of unhappy marriages. The series depicts their desire for love and how they seek it out through infidelity. The title of the show is a reference to how these women feel trapped in their respective marriages, like a goldfish trapped in a bowl.
Among these women is Sakura Hiraga, who was forced to give up on her dreams after an accident. Her marriage to a beauty salon owner is initially loving but later becomes abusive. Like the other four women in the tower, Sakura realizes she is stuck in her marriage. This is when she meets a man with whom she doesn’t need to pretend to be something she isn’t. You can watch the show here.
7. Too Hot To Handle (2020-)
A reality television show, ‘Too Hot to Handle’ is a dating game where contestants are guided by a virtual host named Lana. The contestants aren’t allowed to have sexual contact with each other and have to work through their physical desires. It becomes tough for them in their quest as they have to maintain a platonic relationship in a situation where hedonism is the norm. ‘Too Hot to Handle’ navigates through lessons of maturity, self-control, and emotional awareness.
With every sexual act that is committed, a portion of the prize money of $100,000 is deducted. The penalty depends upon the nature of the sexual act. It has an interesting premise that enforces celibacy among a bunch of individuals who self-proclaim to be prurient. The reality show raises the temperature, and viewers can expect the contestants to struggle to contain their unabashed desires. You may watch the Netflix series here.
6. Bridgerton (2020-)
‘Bridgerton’ is an engaging drama that navigates through the upper echelons of British society. Set in the early 1800s, the show follows the Bridgerton family and the love stories of its members. Based on Julia Quinn’s historical fiction novel series, the show explores the romantic liaisons depicted in an erotic visual flourish. It has its fair share of whispers, gossip, fights, and steamy sex scenes. The show builds on the relationships of Bridgerton family members, focusing on the heterosexual fantasies of women.
It showcases the scintillating encounters and tells a gripping story worth bingeing on. Shonda Rhimes and Chris Van Dusen’s lavishly opulent creation is as beautiful as its romantic elements that define the Regency Era and its splendid charm. Viewers will enjoy this show immensely as it takes one deep into the period romance amidst its pretty and alluring characters. You may watch the show here.
5. Orange Is The New Black (2013–2019)
One of the first original Netflix series, ‘OITB,’ is a show that fiercely pushes the boundaries of television. The series has interesting characters and an even more interesting premise. It is based on a book by a woman called Piper Kerman, who had spent time in jail for aiding her boyfriend in laundering drug money. The show is based on what she experiences in a women’s prison. There is drama, comedy, and a whole lot of lesbian sex scenes in this series. We also get a peek into Piper’s sex life during the time she was out of jail.
Nominated six times for the Golden Globes, this Netflix original is extremely engaging and addictive. Although the show has a lot of characters, their development is incredibly well portrayed. In addition, the cast (which includes Piper Chapman, Uzo Aduba, Taryn Manning, Laura Prepon, etc.) is immensely talented. The show has been widely praised for dealing with subjects of gender, sexuality, and race with maturity. The black humor, which is one of the most striking aspects of the series, has also been a subject of admiration. The fact that prison life is shown realistically and the characters are not stereotypes is also a positive aspect of the show. You can see it here.
4. Sex Education (2019-2023)
‘Sex Education‘ is a rather bold Netflix original series that centers around a teenager whose mother is a sex therapist. The teenager in question, Otis, has grown up in an environment where sex was something that was always rather openly discussed. There are books, pamphlets, and other such reading material around him all the time, which have made Otis quite an expert on said topic. Once Otis’ classmates learn about his domestic life and his expertise on the subject, Otis decides that he could start taking therapy sessions and recruits his classmate Maeve to accompany him in the business.
As he deals with the problems of his friends, Otis realizes that he has a lot of unchecked sexual issues. ‘Sex Education’ is built on a rather interesting premise, as never before has any TV series openly discussed such details about sex. Moreover, the series does promote having a correct mental state of mind about sex, which is a positive message that should be taken seriously by all. You can Watch ‘Sex Education’ here.
3. Sex/Life (2021-2023)
Billie is married and has two children whom she loves more than anything. Her husband is loving and caring and provides for everything she wants and more. But, their sex life has come to a grinding halt, especially after Billie’s second pregnancy. With no excitement in her current life, Billie starts reminiscing the days with her ex-boyfriend, Brad, with whom she had a rocky relationship, but the sex was always good. Trouble ensues when Brad comes back into Billie’s life. You can Watch ‘Sex/Life’ on Netflix here.
2. Obsession (2023)
William Farrow is an acclaimed surgeon. He has a good life, a reputation, and everything that a person would need to be content in their life. Everything is steady for William until one day, he meets Anna, his son’s girlfriend. There is an instant mutual attraction between them, and soon, they embark on an affair while Anna keeps dating his son. With time, William becomes more and more invested in his affair and becomes so obsessed that it threatens to tear apart everything in his life. You may Watch the Netflix show here.
1. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
If Shonda Rhimes creates a show, you can be sure it’s going to be entertaining and sexy. A spin-off of ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘Queen Charlotte’ takes the audience to the young years of the titular queen, tracing the beginning of her journey into English royalty. When Charlotte is chosen to wed King George, she is suspicious of the motives, considering that she is a woman of color and doesn’t have the same standing as other houses, which might have been a better fit for looking for a queen. All her doubts disappear when she meets George, but this is only the beginning of a trying journey ahead. The main focus remains on Charlotte and George’s love story and how good George proves to be with buttons. You may watch it here.
Read More: Most Sexually Graphic Movies on Netflix
