Dying for Sex: Molly Kochan's Poignant Journey of Self-Discovery

In 2025, Michelle Williams is once again in the running for an Emmy Award, this time for her role in the FX series Dying for Sex. The series is based on the true story of Molly Kochan, a podcaster who, upon receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2015, separated from her husband of 15 years and embarked on a journey of sexual exploration.

Kochan's story is one of resilience and self-discovery. After her diagnosis, she started the podcast Dying for Sex, on which she detailed her numerous casual liaisons, her cancer experience, and her childhood traumas. Kochan then spent the final months of her life writing her memoir, Screw Cancer: Becoming Whole, before passing away in 2019 at the age of 45.

The eight-episode comedy-drama Dying for Sex, which premiered in 2024, does not solely focus on Kochan's sexual escapades, but rather on the deepening bond between her and her best friend, Nikki Boyer, played by Jenny Slate. The series aims to "honor the love that exists between women and show that a friendship can be as passionate as a romantic relationship," according to Williams, who is also an executive producer on the project.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the series is not without levity, with Williams finding humor in the creative team's portrayal of the story's more unconventional details. The series has received critical acclaim, earning nine Emmy nominations, including for outstanding limited series and supporting actress for Slate.