Michelle Williams explores female friendship in Dying for Sex, a limited series on FX, alongside Jenny Slate. The show, created by Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, follows the transformation of Molly Kochan, portrayed by Williams, as she confronts metastatic breast cancer with her lifelong friend Nikki Boyer, played by Slate. The project not only spotlights the complexities of friendship and love but also led to a real-life bond between its leading actresses during an intense and intimate filming experience.
Throughout interviews, Williams and Slate revealed that their connection on screen resonates deeply off-screen as well, showing how this project has been transformative for both. The story highlights the raw power of female camaraderie, personal discovery, and embracing life’s unpredictable journey through both joy and heartbreak.
On-Screen Connection Turning Into Real-Life Friendship
During the production of Dying for Sex, Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate formed a genuine friendship that mirrored the dynamic of their characters, Molly and Nikki. The chemistry between the two became immediately apparent during their first meeting, establishing an emotional authenticity that translated to the series. Both actresses expressed gratitude for this organic connection, crediting the project for forging a strong bond.
The show’s creator duo, Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, shaped a narrative that places female friendship at the story’s epicenter. Williams’s journey as Molly, supported by Slate’s portrayal of Nikki, unfolds as an exploration of self-discovery shaped by vulnerability, laughter, and shared hardship. Real-life moments often bled into their performances, making the onscreen friendship feel genuine and relatable.
Initial Doubts and Emotional Reactions to the Source Material
Michelle Williams shared how the original podcast that inspired Dying for Sex affected her emotionally, sparking a desire to be part of the TV adaptation. Listening to the story, she found herself unexpectedly moved by the depiction of Molly and Nikki’s relationship. As the project attracted talented figures such as Rob Delaney and Jay Duplass, it became clear that the story’s emotional core resonated well beyond the immediate creative team, hinting at its universal appeal.
Jenny Slate highlighted the privilege of bringing to life a friendship on screen that reflected her own experiences with beloved friends. The authenticity of their interactions grew from a genuine curiosity about one another, blending preparation with spontaneous connection. This honest approach was fundamental to capturing the spirit of unconditional support and affection embedded in women’s relationships.
Was that what I think it was?
—Jenny Slate
The Impact and Importance of Female Friendship On Screen
The series places female friendship at the heart of its narrative, showcasing the passionate, loving, and sustaining nature of these relationships. Both Williams and Slate reflected on how this representation felt profound and cathartic. Williams noted that true friendship between women is not just a side element—it is fundamental, vital, and life-affirming.
Slate described the warmth and ease that best friends share and how this dynamic allows for deep, transformative change. She underscored the necessity of repeatedly telling stories where love and growth stem from platonic intimacy, rather than romantic entanglement. The actresses felt a personal responsibility to represent the fierceness and depth of such bonds on screen.
Approaching Reality: Conversations with Nikki Boyer
To prepare for their roles, Jenny Slate and Michelle Williams engaged in conversations with the real Nikki Boyer, who brought authenticity and emotional transparency to their understanding of the story. Slate recalled asking Nikki about her grief, especially as the project coincided with the anniversary of Molly’s passing. Nikki described the ongoing, shifting nature of her loss—some days buoyed by the sense of Molly’s presence, other days more shadowed by sorrow.
I don’t want to say something sad to you, in case it will make you sad.
—Nikki Boyer
Williams observed that creating the show required openness, trust, and collaboration, facilitated by a predominantly female crew that honored the original friendship at the heart of the story. The actresses and production team recognized the rarity of such collaborative, supportive environments in the entertainment industry and embraced the opportunity to bring focus to women’s leadership in creative spaces.
Here’s how it was, sit down and let me tell you a story, listen to me and do as I say.
—Michelle Williams, reflecting on the anti-authoritarian nature of Nikki Boyer’s approach
Crafting the Show’s Unique Tone with Creators Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock
Finding the right tone for Dying for Sex proved to be a journey for Williams and Slate. The show’s creators, both of whom originated in theater, infused the series with a blend of comedy, drama, and experimental storytelling. Williams frequently asked Meriwether and Rosenstock how to navigate the world they had created, only to realize over time that the show’s tonal complexity was by design—sometimes harmonious, sometimes deeply discordant, always honest.
What’s the tone? What’s the world I am inhabiting? How do I fit into this?
—Michelle Williams
Oh, the tone is Liz. It’s Liz’s tone.
—Michelle Williams
Jenny Slate remarked on the vivid imagination and humor both creators brought to the series, crediting their theatrical backgrounds for the mixture of grounded realism and dreamlike sequences found throughout the show. As the narrative deepened, the lines between humor, trauma, and personal triumph often blurred, requiring nuanced performances from the cast.
Memorable and Challenging Scenes
Both actresses spoke about the emotional and physical demands of filming, often confronting intense subject matter such as illness, loss, and the pursuit of pleasure. Scenes involving hospital equipment and deeply personal stories tested their comfort zones and required vulnerability from both. Slate recalled being especially challenged by a scene in which Molly is intubated and another where Molly reads from her journal—moments that struck nerves due to their realism and emotional gravity.
Williams explained that nearly every scene carried potent emotional weight, with few easy days on set. Despite these challenges, they both described the filming experience as rewarding, energetic, and marked by deep commitment from cast and crew.
Wow, I wonder what’s gonna happen next.
—Michelle Williams
This is the right show for me!
—Michelle Williams
Appreciation for Each Other’s Craft
The collaborative spirit on set was further amplified by the mutual admiration and respect between Williams and Slate. Williams expressed that it was impossible to single out one moment in which Slate excelled, as every take reflected her dedication and talent. Slate, in turn, was struck by Williams’s fearless and comedic portrayal of Molly, particularly during sequences depicting a wide spectrum of pleasure and self-discovery. These moments broke new ground for both television and the performers themselves.
It is like a master class in orgasms.
—Jenny Slate
Exploring the Show’s Layers: Life, Love, Sex, Death, and Transformation
At its core, Dying for Sex addresses complex themes including mortality, sexuality, trauma, and the redemptive power of close friendship. Williams and Slate hoped viewers would draw encouragement from Molly’s willingness to embrace change and move past moments of stasis, rather than allowing hardship to define or limit personal growth. The narrative ultimately asks audiences to question what might be holding them back, and whether they are ready to break through those self-imposed barriers to move forward and evolve.
A Transformative Portrayal of Women’s Stories
Through the innovative and heartfelt performances of Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, Dying for Sex not only brings visibility to the beauty and pain of navigating life’s extremes but also celebrates the pivotal, sometimes life-saving nature of female friendship. The journey of Molly and Nikki, inspired by real events and genuine connections, resonates as an emotional and uplifting testament to resilience, authenticity, and the enduring importance of women supporting one another—on screen and off.
The impact of Dying for Sex may well ripple beyond its characters, inspiring more nuanced and honest depictions of women’s lives in media, and highlighting the skill of creators like Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, as well as the ensemble cast and crew who brought this singular story to life.
