Masters of Sex
Masters of Sex
William Masters and Virginia Johnson are real-life pioneers of the science of human sexuality. Their research touched off the sexual revolution and took them from a midwestern teaching hospital to the cover of Time magazine and multiple appearances on Johnny Carson's couch. He is a brilliant scientist out of touch with his own feelings, and she is a single working mother ahead of her time. The series chronicles their unusual lives, romance, and unlikely pop culture trajectory.
Accuracy Verdict
The show gets it right, but with some minor tweaks for drama
The Real Story
Masters of Sex is based on the real-life story of Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson, two pioneering sex researchers who conducted groundbreaking studies on human sexuality in the 1950s and 1960s. The show's creator, Michelle Ashford, worked closely with Thomas Maier, the author of the book 'Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, Scandalous Sex Researchers of the 1950s', to ensure accuracy. The real Masters and Johnson met in 1957, when Johnson was hired as a secretary at Washington University's medical school, where Masters was working as an obstetrician and gynecologist. They began their research on human sexuality, which included observing and recording people having sex, and their work led to the publication of their book 'Human Sexual Response' in 1966.
Characters vs Real People
Dr. William Masters is based on William Masters
The show's Masters is more brooding and intense than the real person, who was described by colleagues as charismatic and confident
Virginia Johnson is based on Virginia Johnson
The show's Johnson is more introverted and submissive than the real person, who was known for her strong personality and independence
Dr. Ethan Haas is based on None
The character of Dr. Haas is fictional, but based on several real-life colleagues and rivals of Masters and Johnson
What's Accurate
- ✓Masters and Johnson's research was indeed groundbreaking and changed the way people understood human sexuality
- ✓Their book 'Human Sexual Response' was a bestseller and helped to popularize their work
- ✓The show's portrayal of the societal attitudes towards sex in the 1950s and 1960s is accurate, with many people viewing sex as taboo and shameful
- ✓Masters and Johnson's relationship was complex and multifaceted, with both professional and personal aspects
- ✓The show's depiction of the research methods used by Masters and Johnson, including observing and recording people having sex, is accurate
- ✓The real Masters and Johnson were indeed pioneers in the field of sex research and helped to pave the way for future generations of sex therapists and researchers
What's Changed
- ~The show's timeline is condensed and altered for dramatic effect, with some events and characters composite or invented
- ~Masters and Johnson's relationship was not as tumultuous and dramatic as portrayed in the show
- ~The show's depiction of the university's administration and the funding of Masters and Johnson's research is inaccurate, with some characters and events invented or exaggerated
- ~The real Masters and Johnson did not have as many personal and professional conflicts as portrayed in the show
- ~The show's portrayal of the characters' personal lives, including their relationships and family dynamics, is not entirely accurate
What's Made Up
- ✗The character of Dr. Ethan Haas is entirely fictional, as is the storyline involving his rivalry with Masters
- ✗The show's portrayal of the university's administration and the funding of Masters and Johnson's research is partially fictionalized
- ✗Some of the supporting characters, including the prostitutes and the gay men who participate in Masters and Johnson's research, are composites or entirely fictional
Where Are They Now?
- Masters and Johnson continued to work together and publish research until their retirement in the 1990s
- They were both recognized for their contributions to the field of sex research and therapy, with Masters receiving the prestigious AMA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1978
- Johnson passed away in 2013, at the age of 88, while Masters passed away in 2001, at the age of 85
- Their work continues to influence the field of sex research and therapy, with many modern sex therapists and researchers citing them as pioneers and inspirations
- The real Masters and Johnson did not have any major public feuds or controversies, and were widely respected in their field
Behind the Scenes
- The show's creator, Michelle Ashford, worked closely with the real Virginia Johnson before her death, and incorporated many of Johnson's stories and anecdotes into the show
- The actors who played Masters and Johnson, Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan, underwent extensive research and training to prepare for their roles, including reading Masters and Johnson's book and watching footage of their interviews
- The show's sex scenes were carefully choreographed and rehearsed to ensure accuracy and comfort for the actors involved
- The real Masters and Johnson were known for their sense of humor and playfulness, and the show incorporates many humorous moments and witty one-liners
- The show's production team consulted with sex therapists and researchers to ensure accuracy and authenticity in the show's portrayal of sex and relationships
Did You Know?
- Masters and Johnson's research was not just about sex, but also about the social and cultural context in which sex occurs
- Their work was influenced by the feminist and civil rights movements of the 1960s, and they saw their research as a way to challenge societal attitudes towards sex and relationships
- The real Masters and Johnson were both married to other people when they met, and their relationship was complex and multifaceted, with both professional and personal aspects
- The show's portrayal of the characters' personal lives, including their relationships and family dynamics, is not entirely accurate, but is based on real events and people
- Masters and Johnson's work continues to influence modern sex therapy and research, with many therapists and researchers citing them as pioneers and inspirations
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