Michelle Williams explores embracing pleasure and overcoming shame in her powerful new role as Molly Kochan in the series “Dying for Sex,” a story inspired by Kochan’s journey with terminal cancer. The project, rooted in real events and based on a podcast, pushes Williams to confront societal views about desire, intimacy, and vulnerability, all while working closely with a dedicated ensemble cast in front of audiences at Disney FYC Fest.
Williams Finds Personal Connection with Molly Kochan’s Story
During her pregnancy, Michelle Williams realized her deep desire to tell Molly Kochan’s story—a young woman who decides to seek out her unfulfilled sexual experiences after being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Yet, the timing posed a challenge.
“I couldn’t do this job and have a baby in my stomach,”
—Michelle Williams, Actress. She paused the project and stepped away from acting for two and a half years, welcoming her third child during her hiatus.
Over the years, the idea of Molly lingered. Williams, celebrated for her evocative performances and multiple Academy Award nominations and Emmy win, described her continued pull toward the role. She kept inquiring about the project’s status and, upon learning it remained uncast, felt a powerful sense of destiny.
“This was for me, this must be for me,”
—Michelle Williams, Actress.
“I had such a strong connection with the material originally. That all this time had passed and it had gone unmade reinforced my magical feeling, my belief that this part and I were meant for each other.”
—Michelle Williams, Actress.
A Collaborative Cast Brings Challenging Themes to the Screen
Williams appeared on stage for a post-screening discussion alongside Jenny Slate, who portrays Molly’s best friend Nikki Boyer. Boyer, both a producer and the real-life figure behind her on-screen character, attended with Rob Delaney, who plays Neighbor Guy, and the creative minds Kim Rosenstock and Liz Meriwether at the Dying for Sex FX presentation.
The cast, familiar with boundaries pushed in the original Wondery podcast, prepared to explore controversial and explicit topics throughout the scripted adaptation. The show delves into themes from BDSM to unconventional fantasies, leaving even Williams surprised with each episode.
“What situations am I going to find myself in?”
—Michelle Williams, Actress.
Despite the bold nature of the scripts, Williams felt ready for the challenge.
“There’s no ‘Oh gosh, I don’t want to do that,’ or ‘I feel uncomfortable.’ It’s just, I cannot believe that I get to do this crazy mash up of experiences and emotions.”
—Michelle Williams, Actress.
Emotional Honesty at the Core of Performance
While physical vulnerability is demanded from the cast, Rob Delaney emphasized the deeper emotional work required to depict such layered intimacy.
“The emotional stuff you’ve really got to strip away and be honest and open. I’ll speak for myself but I found that a lot harder than getting [literally] kicked in the balls.”
—Rob Delaney, Actor.
For Williams, the process of portraying Molly invited her to question her beliefs about pleasure and self-acceptance.
“Can you feel pleasure without shame?”
—Michelle Williams, Actress. She reflected on whether it is possible to embrace desires and leave societal shame behind.
“Can you accept what you want and try and leave shame, which seems to be some sort of cultural inheritance as women, but can you leave shame at the door?”
—Michelle Williams, Actress.
Even after a fearless and deeply personal exploration, Williams admits her journey is ongoing, remarking with a laugh that she’s still “working on it.”
Significance and Anticipated Impact of ‘Dying for Sex’
“Dying for Sex” stands out not only for its explicit content but for its commitment to authentic storytelling and emotional depth, shaped by the dedication of Michelle Williams and the creative team, including Jenny Slate, Nikki Boyer, Rob Delaney, Kim Rosenstock, and Liz Meriwether. The project confronts stigmas around pleasure, shame, and female sexuality, challenging both cast and viewers to reevaluate ingrained cultural ideas. As the series garners attention at significant events like Disney FYC Fest, it is poised to spark important conversation about vulnerability, autonomy, and what it truly means to seek fulfillment in the face of adversity.
