A new TV show chronicles the life of a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer who, after divorcing her husband, set out on a journey of self-discovery and slept with 200 men.
The new FX series, Dying for Sex, based on the remarkable true story of Molly Kochan, has already become a hit.
The comedy-drama, which streams on Disney+ in the UK, stars Michelle Williams as Molly, a New York-born woman who, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, chose to embrace life with joy, pleasure, and sexual exploration in her final years.
Molly, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 45, was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer at the age of 42. After being given a terminal prognosis in 2015, she chose to focus on what brought her joy, which included embracing her sexuality.
She separated from her husband of 13 years, deciding that her marriage, which had been strained by control issues and intimacy challenges, was no longer fulfilling.
Instead of retreating into fear or grief, she embarked on a journey of sexual discovery, ultimately sleeping with nearly 200 men.
She found that, contrary to the expected decrease in libido from her hormone treatments, she felt more “horny” than ever before.
The woman’s adventures were chronicled on her blog Everything Leads to This, where she candidly shared her experiences and reflections on life, love, and sexuality while navigating terminal cancer.
As part of this exploration, she also shared raunchy lingerie photos on her Instagram account, ‘dying for sex,’ documenting her self-empowerment and connection with her body.
Molly described how her physical experiences, including sex, helped her connect with her body and life in new and profound ways, despite her terminal illness.
Alongside her best friend, Nikki Boyer, Molly co-hosted the Dying For Sex podcast, where she opened up about her intimate encounters. The podcast, which won Podcast of the Year at the Amie Awards in 2021, became an inspiration for many listeners, offering a raw and unfiltered view into her journey.
Williams, who stars in the TV adaptation of Dying for Sex, had not heard of the podcast before taking on the role, and was moved by Molly’s courage and her determination to find joy in the face of death.
“Her bravery to take the worst news, which is going to be news we all receive, and continue to view her life with creativity and joy… that is truly inspiring. The diagnosis wasn’t going to define her,” Williams said on Good Morning America.
Through Molly’s blog, podcast, and memoir, Screw Cancer: Becoming Whole, which was published posthumously, the late woman encouraged others to embrace the present moment and let go of self-doubt and insecurities.
“Molly wanted to fall in love, and she did; she fell in love with herself,” Nikki said. So whatever is on your list of things to do before you die, you better get started.”
Dying for Sex is now available on Hulu in the US and on Disney+ internationally, and has already received rave reviews.
Time magazine described it as an “audacious, raunchy celebration of life in the face of certain death,” while The Guardian gave it a five-star review, calling it an “upending” take on on-screen sex.
