Unveiling The Secrets Of Netflix's <em>Sex/Life</em>: Real Or Prosthetic?

Sex/Life is Netflix's latest sexually explicit drama that viewers are devouring around the world, but it is not a sex scene that has most people heading to Google to find out how real it is. In Episode 3 of the popular Netflix series, we find ourselves in the shower with Brad (Adam Demos) when the camera lingers on his gigantic penis—an appendage that might even make Boogie Nights' Dirk Diggler feel a little inadequate in the trouser department. This particular scene has sparked countless queries, with many viewers wondering about the authenticity of what they see on screen.

Search on the Netflix film has been dominated by this scene, with the majority of inquirers asking the first question that jumps to mind: whether it is real. The makers of the show have been coy about this, but there are some things we can learn from a closer look at the film. As we delve into the intricacies of the production, we will uncover insights that might surprise you.

In a Collider interview, series creator Stacy Rukeyser confirmed that it was Demos in the shower rather than a body double, but would not confirm if what we saw was all him. She said: "People usually ask is it real or is it a prosthetic? And I can tell you what Adam Demos says about it which is, a gentleman never tells. So, we are leaving that up to the viewer's imagination." This ambiguity adds to the allure of the series, encouraging viewers to speculate and discuss the authenticity of the scene.

How Real Is That 'Sex/Life' Shower Scene?

Although Rukeyser would not be drawn to confirm whether the penis is prosthetic, a member of the prosthetics team confirmed to Newsweek that the scene does indeed feature a prosthesis. In fact, there are prosthetic sex parts elsewhere in the show, and the prosthetics team has experience making fake penises—including ones even larger than that in Sex/Life.

In a scene where the character of Billie had to breastfeed, actor Sarah Shahi confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that she was wearing prosthetic breasts. She elaborated, saying: "Something like Billie's boobs, in the past every time you see my character with Brad, that's me. Then because I do play a breastfeeding mother, I can't have the same boobs in the present. So yeah, I had to sit through three hours of prosthetic boob application to get those suckers on."

Per IMDB, the series' special prosthetic effects were provided by François Dagenais and Tenille Shockey. The former, who is better known for producing some graphic gore effects for shows like Hannibal, noted that the assignment was "a bit different than what we usually do but hey! We were also involved with changing Sarah's breasts through the flashbacks."

Shockey has a notable background in creating prosthetic genitals. Streaming viewers most recently saw her work in this area in The Boys Season 2, Episode 6. In this episode, fans were introduced to Love Sausage (Andrew Jackson), a character whose superpower was an extending, prehensile penis. This adds an extra layer of intrigue when considering the technical expertise behind the scenes of Sex/Life.

In an Instagram post, Shockey revealed: "They asked for it to be 2 feet, but it looked a little short for what it had to do, so I seemed to double the length." She later joked: "Don't get me wrong, size doesn't matter; it was just too short to strangle someone!" This light-hearted approach to her work showcases the creative process and the fun involved in bringing these characters to life.

In summary, Sex/Life is streaming now on Netflix, captivating audiences with its provocative themes and intriguing behind-the-scenes stories. Stay tuned for more insights as we explore the unique world of television production!

Update 7/01/21 12:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information provided by the prosthetics team.