LOS ANGELES – There are stories that rise from the deepest parts of the human experience. They emerge from where love and death dance an intimate waltz that few dare to witness, let alone tell. Dying for Sex is one of those rare narratives. It emerges from grief to celebrate life. It transforms trauma into art, finds light in the darkest shadows of the human condition. Based on the true journey of Molly Kochan, the FX limited series, available on Disney+, exceeded expectations by becoming one of the most impactful productions of 2025, earning nine Emmy nominations and a permanent place in the hearts of its viewers.
“Dying for Sex” follows the journey of Molly, played by Michelle Williams. She is a woman who, after receiving a stage IV terminal cancer diagnosis, decides to leave her unhappy marriage in search of her first truly fulfilling sexual experience. The production was born from the podcast of the same name, created by Nikki Boyer, who witnessed firsthand the transformation of her best friend Molly Kochan in her final months of life.
Dying for Sex: understanding love and death
During a press conference held in Los Angeles, with Filmelier in attendance, the women behind the limited series shared the emotional background of a work that captivated both audiences and critics.
Nikki Boyer, executive producer and creator of the podcast, revealed how the adaptation process brought new layers of understanding. “Each stage – watching the podcast come out, seeing the series being filmed, getting the first cuts – gave me a different level of grief,” Boyer shared. “I learned that grief is like love leaving, it’s loss, but it’s really an expression of love. I feel happy and grateful for these new layers of grief.”
Michelle Williams, who not only stars in the series but also serves as an executive producer, described the experience as transformative. For the first time at the top of the production hierarchy, Williams found inspiration in past experiences, citing director Sam Raimi. “He created a safe, exuberant, and harmonious environment full of ‘yes.’ When I realized I was number one on the call sheet, I took a deep breath and thought: ‘grow up and help create what you want it to be.’”
The actress emphasized that the guiding principle of the production was “to build a bonfire around the love these two women shared and let everyone experience that warmth.” Williams also revealed that the experience was transformative. “It changed the way I think about time. It opened a possibility for me. Bad news is coming for all of us. And how will I face it? Can I open a space while I’m in the middle of everything else?”, she asked.
Behind the creation
Kim Rosenstock, co-creator, executive producer and writer of the series, along with Liz Meriwether, worked to adapt the podcast while keeping its emotional essence. The production faced initial funding challenges, as Boyer explained. “Everyone said ‘what a great idea,’ but when we asked for money, they repeated ‘what a great idea’ without offering resources. Frankly, advertisers don’t gravitate around death and sex,” she noted.
The series cast also includes Jenny Slate, Rob Delaney, Jay Duplass, and Sissy Spacek. The chemistry between Williams and Slate, who plays best friend Nikki Boyer, was particularly striking for the podcast’s creator. “There was a moment after filming when I told my husband: ‘I’m having interesting feelings. I really miss Michelle,'” Boyer revealed. “He said: ‘It’s because she’s your version of Molly now.’ I was having these deep feelings of grief for not being able to see her every day on set.”
Michelle Williams embracing complexity
The series tackles complex themes such as sexuality, trauma, friendship, and mortality. All with an approach that blends comedy and drama organically. Williams highlighted how the material allowed her to explore “how far it can go and how much it can live inside the hearts and minds of people, if it can create some vibrational change for a member of the audience.”
The development process of the series began when Liz Meriwether introduced the podcast to Williams in March 2020. It was at the start of the pandemic. “She called me and said: ‘Would you like to listen to this podcast? It’s about a woman dying of cancer.’ I said: ‘I don’t think that’s what I need right now.’ She replied: ‘But she also has a sexual awakening.’ Then I said: ‘Ok, send me the link,’” Williams recalled.
The partnership with Wondery, a podcast studio known for character-driven stories, was crucial in turning the homemade recordings into a professional limited series. Boyer reflected on the process. “A lot of people were afraid to dive into death and sex. Thankfully we partnered with Wondery, which took a beautiful risk,” she said. She concluded that “every time we found a new partner along the way, there was a spiritual understanding that we were all in this risky storytelling adventure together.”
