Shubhabrata Dutta
Nudity in TV shows has been the talk of the town for a while. Gone are those days when nudity was limited to a specific set of movies; today, it’s ubiquitous even in the world of television. While ‘Game of Thrones’ redefined on-screen sex with the word ‘Sexposition’, there’s always ‘True Detective’ with Alexandra Daddario at her majestic best. There’s no denying the fact that nudity, more often than not, becomes the selling point of the film or a particular TV show, even if the makers don’t want it to be that way. ‘Shameless,’ for example, has always been more famous (or rather, infamous) for its sex scenes than it was known for its performances or its screenplay, even though the latter was exemplary in its own way.
While there’s so much going on in the TV world, with zillions of shows to watch, this list is here to solve the problem of finding the shows with an extra dose of nudity. However, for some of the TV shows, nudity or sex acts as a mere filler (take ‘Game of Thrones’ for example, in which the sexuality is apt and fits perfectly with the storyline or rather is a part of it, while it doesn’t as much as in say ‘Californication’), for many others, it acts as the primary driver.
Here’s the list of top TV series with lots of nudity, ranked from least naked (on this list) to the most naked, along with their increasing popularity and ratings. And just to add, while we go, almost all of these television shows have been rated TV-MA in the US, a rating which is often considered analogous to the ‘R’ rating of the movie space. I’d leave the rest to your perusal.
32. Pam & Tommy (2022)
This Primetime Emmy-nominated biographical miniseries showcases the short-lived marriage of model/actress Pamela Anderson and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee. They married in 1995 after only knowing each other for around 96 hours. The series puts a special focus on the sex tape that they recorded during their honeymoon, which ended up falling into the wrong hands and led to its illegal distribution. ‘Pam & Tommy’ is based on a Rolling Stone article titled Pam and Tommy: The Untold Story of the World’s Most Infamous Sex Tape” by Amanda Chicago Lewis. Entertaining and visually powerful, ‘Pam & Tommy’ stars Lily James as Pamela Anderson and Sebastian Stan as Tommy Lee. The series co-stars Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman, and Taylor Schilling. You can stream it here.
31. Euphoria (2019- )
Created by Sam Levinson, ‘Euphoria’ is based on the Israeli miniseries of the same. It is set in a fictional town (East Highland) in California and centers on Rue Bennett (Zendaya), who has an addiction. The series deals with a bunch of high-schoolers and their now-too-common issues as made prevalent by many shows, i.e., relationships, breakups, love, loss, addiction, sex, hookups, mental health, loss of identity and self-worth, and all other topics connected to these. Somewhat psychedelic in nature, ‘Euphoria’ received 25 Primetime Emmy Awards, out of which it won 9. It also received a Golden Globe award (Zendaya- Best Actress – Television Series Drama) and three Critics’ Choice Television Award nominations, of which it won one. Alongside Zendaya, the cast includes Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer, Alexa Demie, Barbie Ferreira, Angus Cloud, and Jacob Elordi. You can stream the series here.
30. Outlander (2014-)
Ronald D. Moore developed this historical fantasy drama based on an eponymous novel by Diana Gabaldon. It follows a woman named Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) who falls through time from 1945, wherein she was a World War II nurse in Scotland, to 1743 and ends up in the middle of the Jacobite rising (1745). Her experiences in the 18th century, including her affair with Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) and the personal politics of the time, in which sex played a prominent part, make ‘Outlander’ a practical addition to our list. The sex scenes are saucy, intimate, and toe-curling. To get a better idea, you can see the series here.
29. The Deuce (2017-2019)
Created by George Pelecanos and David Simon, ‘The Deuce’ explores the Golden Age of Porn in America, a 15-year period (1969-1984) that saw the legalization of the porn industry in New York City, along with the drug epidemic, corruption, and other cultural shifts. Naturally, nudity takes the front seat. Among the many characters in the series, we have the Martino brothers, backed by the Mafia, with both brothers played by James Franco, and Eileen “Candy” Merrell, a prostitute dreaming of becoming an actress in the porn industry, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal. Entertaining, provocative, and artistic, ‘The Deuce’ is a masterpiece. You can watch it here.
28. Supersex (2024- )
This is an Italian drama series loosely based on the life of famous Italian pornstar/director/producer Rocco Siffredi aka Italian Stallion. As objective as a pornstar biography sounds, ‘Supersex’ explores the price that has to be paid for such a life. In the case of Siffredi, on top of the base ingredients of aspiration, desire, passion, dream, and reality, the added ingredients include family, sibling relationships, introspection, and vulnerability. Siffredi’s rise to fame, with the issues of his personal life and professional life and how one affected the other, have been addressed in a way that keeps ‘Supersex’ from turning into just another show that has a lot of sex scenes to poke at our libidinal instincts. The cast includes Alessandro Borghi (who plays Rocco Siffredi), Jasmine Trinca, Gaia Messerklinger, Saul Nanni, Eva Cela, and Adriano Giannini. You can stream the show here.
27. Bridgerton (2020- )
A Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards-winning historical drama created by Chris Van Dusen, ‘Bridgerton’ stars Phoebe Dynevor, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Nicola Coughlan, Regé-Jean Page, and Claudia Jessie. The show brings together history and fantasy most intriguingly and excitingly, one that you would expect from a show set in the Regency era (1795-1837), a period in British history underscored by wealth and culture. Based on the book series of the same name by Julia Quinn, ‘Bridgerton’ centers on the wealthy titular family and revolves around the Bridgerton siblings, especially Daphne Bridgerton, and how she navigates her love life in a society where a woman is brought up only to give her away to a prosperous suitor. Can Daphne find someone who loves her and not her beauty? To find out, you can stream the series here.
26. Sex/Life (2021-2023)
At the surface level, ‘Sex/Life’ shows the personal journey of a woman looking for a sexual reawakening. Billie Connelly, a wife and mother living in Connecticut, is going through a mid-life crisis. Owing to her unsatisfied sex life with her husband Cooper (Mike Vogel), she begins fantasizing about her ex-boyfriend Brad (Adam Demos), whom she dated as a Ph.D. student. She even maintains a journal of her past sex life, which Cooper unfortunately and perhaps fortunately stumbles upon. Billie then comes across Brad at the house of her best friend, Sasha (Margaret Odette). Sasha and Brad have been friends with benefits, but no sooner does Brad meet Billie than he realizes he wants to be with her. Will Billie let him in? How will Cooper react to this new development? Full of eroticism propelled by desire but underscored by complex emotions, ‘Sex/Life’ is inspired by BB Easton’s book ‘44 Chapters About 4 Me.’ You can stream the series here.
25. The Americans (2013-2018)
Set in the Cold War era, the story of ‘The Americans’ revolves around two Russian spies – Elizabeth and Philip (no, not from the British Royal Family), who pose as a married couple in DC, while they have a neighbor who works for the FBI. Mostly focusing on the relationships and intricacies of a marriage rather than being a spy-thriller at the outset, ‘The Americans’ has been raising eyebrows for the graphic sexual content, which is otherwise too explicit for a TV audience. Although the sex scenes are mostly used as tools of manipulation and blackmailing, the implications of the sexual references are stronger than the references themselves. A novel concept with a lot of mix and match with TV shows like ‘Homeland,’ ‘The Looming Tower,’ etc., ‘The Americans’ will never cease to impress you. It can be streamed here.
24. Chemistry (2011)
A dramedy at the outset, ‘Chemistry’ follows the affair of an LAPD policewoman, Liz, and a corporate lawyer, Michael. While there’s nothing more to describe the premise, the show-stealers are the varied, diversified sexual innuendos throughout the 13-episode series, including but not limited to simulated sex, frontal nudity, oral sex, et al. Simply put, there’s a skinny line between soft porn and ‘Chemistry’ – perhaps the reason why the makers called it quits after its inaugural season. Your take, please?
23. The Nevers (2021-2023)
Created by Joss Whedon, this sci-fi/steampunk period drama takes place in Victorian London. A supernatural event in 1896 gives particular women strange powers, thus addressed as the “Touched.” In such a world, we follow Amalia True (Laura Donnelly), who can see the future in glimpses, and her best friend/genius inventor Penance Adair (Ann Skelly), who leads the “Touched” and looks for other women like them, inducting them into their group after saving them from the mistreatment by those around them and those who want to use the powers of the women for their personal motives. The rest of the cast includes Olivia Williams, James Norton, Tom Riley, Pip Torrens, and Denis O’Hare.
22. Sex and The City (1998-2004)
More of an awareness campaign relating to the social (sex-related) issues of today, ‘Sex and the City’ managed to top the charts as well as the viewership when it was on the air. Perhaps the most popular and the raunchiest of the lot, this show redefined sex in American TV shows and set new benchmarks before any of it was cool. The show follows the lives of four American women – Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda, all in their mid-30s to early 40’s, who’ve managed to stick together through every thick and thin, despite the changes in their sex lives, physiologies, relationships, and promiscuity. The sexual depictions are spread out throughout the entire series with scenes of masturbation, frontal nudity, and simulated sex. You can stream the series here.
21. Orange is the New Black (2013-)
An all-female prison would sound extremely interesting from the outset, wouldn’t it? As intriguing as that is, it also brings upon the stigmas associated with prison life and what one has to go through, which is heart-wrenching at times. After being imprisoned for aiding and abetting her girlfriend, Alex Vause, in a drug deal, Piper Chapman goes through almost everything inside the prison. Although she has to face a lot of ordeals, like abuse and victimization at times, she also makes a few friends, including some really close ones. However, she couldn’t forget her time with Alex and the series follows their relationship closely. Lesbian sex scenes are prominently depicted throughout this comedy-drama Netflix original, which is currently in its sixth season. You can stream it here.
20. Queer as Folk (2000-2005)
A highly-rated television series, ‘Queer as Folk’ has the word “folk,” which is intended to be pronounced as something else. Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ‘Queer as Folk’ revolves around five homosexual men and a lesbian couple and is a raw outlook on the lives and the politics surrounding them, along with their sensitivities, sexuality, and health-related issues. While ‘Queer as Folk’ has both gay and lesbian sexual encounters depicted rather explicitly, what is interesting is the lack thereof of any heterosexual scenes, which in a way aligns with the cause of the acclaimed television show. While it runs high on sex and relationships, the violence and gore are minimal, a clear departure from its resemblance to other television shows on this list. You can stream ‘Queer as Folk’ here.
19. The Girlfriend Experience (2016-2017)
A relatively modern take on ‘Secret Diary of a Call Girl’ and other similar television shows and movies, ‘The Girlfriend Experience’ is the narrative of a law student turned part-time escort, Christine, who is to give emotional and physical “comforts” to her clients under her pseudonym of Chelsea. The idea is for her clients to have a “girlfriend experience” while she’s with them. Although initially, Christine goes along with the “arrangement,” she falls prey to overbearing clients who take undue advantage of her. The objectification of women is rife throughout the series, and so are the sex scenes where the likes of Riley Keough and Anna Friel have bared it all. However, there’s nothing new that you can’t find in any other television shows with prostitution as one of their themes. ‘The Girlfriend Experience’ can be streamed here.
18. True Blood (2008-2014)
When Anna Paquin started as Sookie Stackhouse in the horror-fantasy television series, no one would have imagined what lay next in the upcoming episodes. Apparently, the world no longer fears vampires, for artificial blood has been invented, and they live among us with purported “equal” rights. ‘True Blood’ is all about Vampires who live in fictional Bon Temps, Louisiana. Bon Temps also means good times, which explains the steamy scenes now and then. Sookie, a telepathic, falls for a vampire Bill, and has fallen trap in what comes with dating a vampire. Replete with female and male nudity, sometimes to shockingly explicit levels, ‘True Blood’ has it all. You can watch it here.
17. Californication (2007-2014)
To answer your question, yes, we’re essentially talking about various forms of “fornications” portrayed in the series. ‘Californication’ follows the life of Hank Moody, a novelist who cannot get enough of his desire for sex and wants to overcome his sex addiction, among other things like drugs and alcohol. His relationship with his daughter isn’t as amicable while he battles writer’s block and finds solace in his girlfriend. Featuring graphic scenes all over, save the frontal nudes for now, ‘Californication’ displays sex in a borderline realistic, unsimulated manner – something which also relates to the objectification of women that was criticized by many. You can stream the series here.
16. The Girl’s Guide to Depravity (2012-2013)
Consider any keywords like “depravity,” “diaries,” “girls,” “sex,” etc., and you’re bound to witness nudity and sex like never before. Although many of the television series out there have been accused of resorting to the objectification of women and being misogynistic, not all such shows turn out to be great ones in terms of their ratings as well. ‘The Girl’s Guide to Depravity’ stands out for many reasons – not giving in to demeaning men, standing up for oneself, and satiating one’s sexual desires when it comes to that. Rebecca Blumhagen is Samantha, the protagonist, who, along with her friend Lizzie, sets some ground rules to get themselves going while also having ample “fun,” the fun being referred to here is the sex and the nudity prevalent all along the show. Although there’s no frontal or graphic nudity, the naked fun is something that takes away the prize.
15. Secret Diary of a Call Girl (2007-2011)
For those who’d like to dismiss ‘Secret Diary of a Call Girl’ as third-grade soft porn, let me tell you this-this is a television show which had more than a million viewers in its inaugural season and had more than 70% approval ratings. Moreover, the series boasts a viewership on British television close to the cult classic ‘Dexter.’ The British drama revolves around the story of a high-end London call girl, Belle, who is a seemingly ordinary woman but moonlights as an escort, while her friends and family know her as a high-end secretary working at an MNC. The show mainly focuses on how she balances her professional life with the life she pretends to be having versus the one she’s living, the conflicts that arise as a result, and the plethora of steamy scenes in almost every episode of the show throughout the seasons. You can stream it here.
14. Togetherness (2015-2016)
Although ‘Togetherness’ started as a comedy-drama in 2015, with an ensemble cast whose lives are entwined together along with some rib-tickling humor, the surprise (or rather, shock) came along with the explicit nudity that it showcased. The story follows two couples – Brett and Michelle and Alex (Brett’s friend) and Tina (Michelle’s elder sister). While Brett and Michelle face daily squabbles in their married life, another couple enters as their housemates (not sure if it is still a thing in the Wild West), and the whole thing escalates to another level altogether. As far as the nudity is concerned, Amanda Peet has bared it all, and so has a host of other characters. Enjoyable and sexy, ‘Togetherness’ encompasses a package, if you will. It can be streamed here.
13. Power (2014-)
Revolving around James St. Patrick, a drug dealer with many faces and many lives who wants to lead a clean and simple life but is bogged down by the criminal nexus, ‘Power’ is set around drugs, sex, criminal gangs, illicit affairs, and the usual killings. Although ‘Power’ is critically acclaimed for its fast-paced storyline and splendid character development, it does suffer from overly done scripting and predictability to an extent. Regardless, its forever increasing popularity and the graphic visuals, not to mention the occasional but elaborate sex scenes, have made ‘Power’ one of the most watched and followed television shows. You can stream it here.
12. True Detective (2014-)
Alexandra Daddario bared it all in the first season of ‘True Detective’ while Woody Harrelson seemed more than happy as he gazed upon her, and the scene became one of the most watched and paused moments in television history without a speck of doubt. Although the sex scenes are aplenty, between the acting stalwarts like Matthew McConaughey and Michelle Monaghan, Ms Daddario steals the show. The first season revolves around two former detective partners, Rust Cohle and Martin Hart, who solve cases and deal with their often intervening personal affairs—the first season of this detective thriller show garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences. The fourth season they were aired this year, starring Jodie Foster and Kali Reis as the detective leads. You can stream the show here.
11. Tell Me You Love Me (2007)
For the uninitiated, ‘Tell Me You Love Me’ was erstwhile known as “Sexlife,” which tells us a lot more than we’d ever actually watch in the show. To start with, four couples are at different stages in their relationships – the difference being their age. The eldest couple, May and Arthur, are in their 60s. May is also the therapist for all the other three couples in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, respectively. The TV show was an overnight hit across the forums with the sex scenes in the news yet again – the writhing naked entwined bodies in various mannerisms could’ve been a sight for sore eyes back then. Speak or think of a sexual position, and you’ll find it in ‘Tell Me You Love Me’ but in a sensual, decent kind of manner, not in a dirty, obscene way. You can watch the show here.
10. Masters of Sex (2013-2016)
No one needs to elaborate on how detailed this one can be. Not only is it one of the few television series with the word “sex” in the title, but it also stands by what it means. A biography-based television series, ‘Masters of Sex’ is set in the ’50s and is a narrative of Masters and Johnson, two researchers of human sexuality at Washington University, Missouri, their relationship and everything they share, including and especially “the obvious.” The series was a critical success and has undeniably some of the raunchiest scenes on television, including but not limited to unsimulated sex scenes and bare bodies. However, nudity and sexuality are more or less in a medical context, which could be a turn-off at many points for some audiences.
9. Black Sails (2014-2017)
Set during an era touted to be the “Golden Age” of piracy, ‘Black Sails’ is a historical drama television series depicting fictionalized events of the early 1700s. As with ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ which had a “Black Pearl” as the center of attraction, ‘Black Sails’ too has a shipwreck called “Urca de Lima”. The table tennis being played with the treasure landing from one place to another forms the gist of the story. The cast is diversified across many locales, and so is the story, which is intense and addictive according to many popular reviews and audiences. The eyebrow-raising factor about the series, however, is the reference to homosexuality, with people frequenting brothels, and everyone knows what happens afterward. Also, a few of the scenes are replete with frontal nudity and topless scenes, which are nothing but an essential part of the storyline. Yep, the depictions are as thorough as one can imagine.
8. Entourage (2004-2011)
The show follows the acting career of Vincent Chase, a fictional uber-popular actor, and his friends. ‘Entourage’ also features many celebrity guest stars, notably Scarlett Johansson, Martin Scorsese, and LeBron James, to name a few, who appeared in cameo roles to play a fictionalized version of themselves. Though the show doesn’t show outright nudity, nor does it boast of nude scenes as an “asset,” it does have strong sexual innuendos ranging from female frontal nudity and instances of homosexuality with a lot of other subtle and direct references. The language and the spotty substance use merely add to the fervor, thus making it one of the most intense, adult-only television shows. You can watch ‘Entourage’ here.
7. Shameless (2011-)
A television show (perhaps the only one on this list) that boasts of something it is in many of its forms, ‘Shameless,’ has also won an equal amount of critical acclaim and accolades for being “original, compelling, and entertaining” throughout. Primarily with an audience among the adult populace, given its TV-MA rating, ‘Shameless’ boasts of an ensemble cast and a unique storyline, with a run of eight seasons and counting. The premise is that of a dysfunctional family with a drunkard father who has no idea what’s going on, while the eldest of his children takes care of her family (herself and her five siblings), where many of them are born out of affairs. Because of the graphic nudity and sex that has been depicted throughout, mainly in all of the episodes, ‘Shameless’ is one of the hottest television shows out there. You can stream the series here.
6. Rome (2005-2007)
Speaking of a television show that is set in and around the ancient Roman empire, there are a few cliched derivations we can make out of it – like sex, nudity, violence, gore, wars, beefy men, gladiators, etc. ‘Rome’ is an embodiment of all of these and much more. Set around two historical figures, this fictionalized TV drama went on to become one of the most widely covered and watched British dramas at the time of its initial release, although it was shut after a two-season run. Vorenus and Pullo are two Roman soldiers who live by the times of Julius Caesar and Augustus, perhaps the most famous personalities of the era. The sexual and naked references are similar to ‘Spartacus’ – exceedingly vehement and omnipresent. You can stream ‘Rome’ here.
5. Girls (2012-2017)
With plenty of nude scenes that have been discussed over and over all across the internet, ‘Girls’ is one of those television shows where nudity and sex form the core around which the story revolves. Well, more or less. Primarily, ‘Girls’ is the story of Hannah, a struggling writer who has been disowned by her parents and who has to fight her way out of the “societal” womb, along with her pessimism and her daily struggles. She strives to find new roommates for herself, along with a life. The sexual references are pretty “elaborate,” and it is not as if the sex and the nudity are used as fillers; instead, they are there for a purpose. And the purpose is perhaps the audience’s arousal. With actors like Alison Williams, Lena Dunham, Zosia Mamet et al., along with Adam Driver, the show has a “lot” to offer. You can stream ‘Girls’ here.
4. Vinyl (2016)
Perhaps Olivia Wilde and Juno Temple wouldn’t have done such a show of skin outside of this show as they did in it. ‘Vinyl’ starts as the story of a record executive in the ’70s whose company, “American Century,” is in shambles, and he has to choose between his profession in rock music, his personal life, and his company and its potential sale to another records company. Story aside, assuming that would be one of the least of interest (given the title of this list), the nudity is in its rawest possible form, and the nude scenes are of a longer duration than average. More or less, the nudity seldom goes with the flow and is more sensual than ever. At many points in the series, it won’t be an understatement that the nudity and sex are overwhelming.
3. Westworld (2016-)
Made by Jonathan Nolan, with the involvement of names like J. J. Abrams as Executive Producer, this show is set in a futuristic Wild West-themed amusement park, where the guests (or the visitors) interact with the humanoid hosts and have the original Western experience, with an ability to go about anything fearlessly. The show prominently shows both female and male nudity in the labs of the amusement park as well as inside it. While the nudity and the sexuality are light-years away in the show for most of the time, there is plenty of nudity nonetheless. Scenes depicting orgies, frontal nudity, and consensual sex are a common sight throughout the series, but the nudity runs alongside a very viable and gritty storyline. You’ll find yourself immersed in this complex tale where nothing is authentic, yet nothing is entirely imaginary. It’s a must-watch if you haven’t started binging it yet. You can watch the show here.
2. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
A list of “TV shows with maximum nudity” without mentioning ‘Game of Thrones’ would be incomplete. Game of Thrones changed the very way we look at nudity as far as television is concerned. This might as well be one of the most widely watched and popular shows in the modern era of cinema, along with being one of the most talked about. For many, the signature hot scenes or the nudity or the sexual depictions could be a treat for the sore eyes, while for others, a little naughtiness in an otherwise intense storyline would mean loads of fun. And this show is full of “those” worthwhile moments. Featuring some of the most beautiful women of Westeros, the show never falls short on savagery, raw sex, and the sensuality it always brings with it. And some of those scenes are easier to watch and difficult to forget. Let’s not leave aside the fact that many of these scenes also mark important milestones in the storyline and have proven to be major turning points in the story. “Walk of Shame” or the cozying up between Khaleesi and Jon Snow could be a couple of examples. You can watch ‘Game of Thrones’ here.
1. Spartacus (2010-2013)
Based on the life and times of the dreaded Thracian Gladiator Spartacus, this fictionalized series depicts a raw yet evolved version of the Thracian enslaved person. Although the show stayed on the air for three seasons, it made its mark on television with its portrayal of sex, drama, savagery, and everything we’ve known to be “Spartan” like never before. It had become a synonym for full-frontal nude scenes of both female and male characters, a thing mostly unusual in the TV arena even today, along with replete many sex scenes, blood, and gore. Many consider this television show as the champion of nudity in television space, and why not, for even a single episode has never been filmed without substantial nudity. Despite all the pros and cons surrounding the TV show, it has been a recipient of many awards, including nominations for ‘The People’s Choice Award’ and ‘Primetime Emmy Awards.’ And as they say, the audience is the best judge. You can watch the series here.
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