12 Facts You Didn't Know About Masters Of Sex
It's not just about the sex (although that is a huge part of it).
Masters of Sex isn’t the sort of name that makes you think of a prestige drama; rather it indicates some sort of raunchy, cheap programme, maybe even a pseudo-reality show. While it certainly does contain plenty of raunch, and is based on reality, there’s nothing cheap about it, and far more to it than the title suggests.
Centred on the work of Bill Masters and Virginia Johnson, pioneering researchers into sexual response, the show is not just about the sex (although there is lots of it).
It’s about science; it’s a period piece, a reflection of the times and attitudes towards sex and also towards science; and most of all it’s a human drama, a study of these people and their lives and relationships as they conduct a study of their own.
It’s managed to steadily build a solid audience so far, and received a lot of critical acclaim, largely due to the performances of its two stars: the excellent Michael Sheen and the wonderful Lizzy Caplan (who should really be in more things).
It’s based on the book ‘Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love’ by Thomas Maier, and as it enters its third season, here’s a look at some rather surprising facts about the sexiest show on television.
12. William Masters' Character Was Changed Dramatically From Real Life
It’s not unusual for characters in an adaptation to change somewhat. This can be due to certain traits not translating well to TV, or just something different brought to it by the director or actor. However, it does seem as though the Bill Masters - who is after all a real person - has definitely had a change of personality.
On the show he is every bit the man of science: he’s cold, methodical, and more than a little socially awkward. In real life, though, he was said to be much more charming person, one who was described by former assistant Ruth Clifford as “delightful… [and] funny” and that he “had this adorableness - a very seductive kind of character.”
That's quite different from what we’ve seen on screen, although you can see why the did it as it makes the contrast between him and Virginia more pronounced, and makes their scenes together even more entertaining.