Masters of Sex: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Upcoming Showtime Drama

Showtime has released a behind the scenes look at Masters of Sex, its upcoming period drama starring Michael Sheen (Kingdom of Heaven) and Lizzy Caplan (Mean Girls) as William Masters and Virginia Johnson, prominent sex researchers at the dawn of the 1960s who became pop culture figures and helped ignite the sexual revolution. The series will be based on Thomas Maier’s book Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, The Couple Who Taught America How To Love and is said to chronicle the lives, romance, and pop culture trajectory of the duo.

The featurette gives a bit of insight into the dynamic between Masters and Johnson, the latter of which acted as the former’s secretary before the two began their research, in addition to the show itself, which will focus more on the scientific aspect of what they’re doing vs. the nudity itself. There are also several clips from the opening episodes of the series, including the beginning of the Masters/Johnson dynamic and how she managed to open him up to sexuality, challenging the conservative mindset in which he viewed sex and helping their research in the process.

In addition to Sheen and Caplan, Masters of Sex stars Caitlin FitzGerald (It’s Complicated) as Masters’ wife Libby, Nicholas D’Agosto (Heroes) as Dr. Ethan Haas, and Teddy Sears (American Horror Story) as Thomas Gilpatrick. Also set to appear this season are the likes of Allison Janney (The West Wing), Beau Bridges (The Descendants), and Margo Martindale (Justified).

The series premiere of Masters of Sex is set to air Sunday, September 29th at 10:00 on Showtime following the third season premiere of Homeland.

Will you be watching Masters of Sex? Are you familiar with the research into human sexuality done by Masters and Johnson? Do you think the show will be able to include as much sexual content as it needs to without it feeling gratuitous?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBY4PZhr9cY