Non porn tv or movies that shows large women in a sexy way?

June 19, 2024 7:35 AM

The wife is a large woman and has struggled with society's perception of her beauty. We recently watched Season 3 of Bridgerton and she was very moved by the sex scenes of Penelope (who is somewhat her size) and Colin, and she adores the chemistry between the performers. What other light and non-violent shows or movies (NOT PORN) would you recommend that feature large women in a sexy but not sexualized way? Meaning the character(s) are presented positively and sexily, but sex isn't the main point of the character(s).
posted by anonymous to Media & Arts (22 answers total)

This is only semi-positive, and I’m not sure they’re as large as Nicola (the actress who plays Pen) but the series Rome had at least two sexy larger female characters. (Atia of the Julii and another lesser character). They were also semi evil, but sexily evil? Maybe pre-watch to see if it would work for her?
posted by corb at 7:48 AM on June 19 [1 favorite]

Just Wright and The Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah
posted by hepta at 7:49 AM on June 19 [3 favorites]

I really enjoyed Bridget Everett in Somebody Somewhere (HBO). It's just a real sweet show. It's not really a romantic show, but her size is a non-issue, and all the characters are just very accepting of their differences. Check out the trailer and see if it might be right for you.
posted by hydra77 at 8:01 AM on June 19 [24 favorites]

Maybe The Tourist? Kind of a romance show mixed with an amnesia/crime storyline. Very fun and the chemistry between the leads (Jamie Dornan and Danielle MacDonald) is quite good.
posted by joelhunt at 8:44 AM on June 19 [4 favorites]

Speaking of Danielle MacDonald, I enjoyed Falling for Figaro. Now I'm going to put The Tourist on my list!
posted by Illusory contour at 8:56 AM on June 19

In the Welsh show Gavin & Stacey, Nessa is a woman (played by show creator Ruth Jones) who fits the bill for you!
posted by knile at 9:05 AM on June 19 [6 favorites]

I was coming here to mention Falling for Figaro and I see someone already has. Here is the Facebook observation I made about it while I was watching it:

I am watching a movie on Netflix and it's a romantic comedy starring a fat girl who is successful and already has a hot boyfriend at the start of the movie. And I am about half of the way through the movie and at no point have they made any jokes about her being fat. It is called Falling for Figaro and I wouldn't say it is good, exactly, but I don't think the fact that she is fat has even been mentioned.

I found it extremely affirming to see that larger woman just out there living her best life and falling in love and doing the thing and no one caring that she was fat. It was honestly delightful.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:13 AM on June 19 [8 favorites]

There's a gentle Irish detective series "Holding" that has Siobhan McSweeney in it, and at one point she gets some well portrayed sexytimes.
posted by quacks like a duck at 9:15 AM on June 19

With the warning that this is a Hallmark movie, she might try "Romance In Style" (2022). Kind of a Cinderella story/ish with a size 16 protagonist.
posted by gudrun at 9:30 AM on June 19

Good Trouble.
posted by polytope subirb enby-of-piano-dice at 9:38 AM on June 19

Single Drunk Female was a pretty light, entertaining and character-driven show with a really impressively diverse cast (though all of them supporting characters, FWIW). But the lead's BFF is a larger woman who is very much living her best life with regards to dating, being confident, being found attractive and sexy, etc.
posted by windbox at 9:39 AM on June 19

Survival of the Thickest, starring Michelle Buteau, on Netflix.
posted by yasaman at 9:55 AM on June 19 [6 favorites]

A bit of a reach, but maybe Drop Dead Diva?
posted by amtho at 11:50 AM on June 19 [1 favorite]

I hesitate a little to recommend this for a few reasons, but there's a short Japanese series called Plus Sized Misadventures in Love where the main character feels so extremely ugly and unlovable that she commits suicide, but wakes up in the hospital with amnesia - not only about her own life but also about society's attitudes about overweight women. She sees herself in the mirror and is like "Who is this goddess of gorgeousness?!" and ends up getting everyone around her to see her that way too. There's no sex, but some light romance.

(The reasons: it's a pretty earnest, well-intended show, and that feeling kind of pervades. It's also a little rough around the corners and seems part of a different cultural conversation (for example, this is a show where protagonists tell each other to smile more because they're prettier when they smile). And at some point she regains her memory and deals with some dark stuff. On the other hand, her amnesiac self's extravagant delight and confidence in her body and personality is pretty refreshing to watch.)
posted by trig at 12:08 PM on June 19 [1 favorite]

Somebody Somewhere is perfect for this.
posted by bluedaisy at 1:51 PM on June 19 [1 favorite]

Rutherford Falls might fit this with Jana Schmieding who plays Raegan Wells.
posted by narcissus_and_ambrosia at 1:52 PM on June 19 [2 favorites]

Andy Bryant's Shrill, on Hulu
posted by Pronoiac at 2:30 PM on June 19 [9 favorites]

Shrill is great, but (as I recall) there is a fair amount of Ady Bryant’s character feeling insecure and unlovable, particularly in the early show. She does gain confidence over the series, but it may reinforce some of the negative feelings your wife is trying to avoid.
posted by bluloo at 7:05 PM on June 19

Seconding The Tourist. As I recall the female lead starts in a relationship with someone who is concerned about her weight and wants her to lose weight, but avoiding spoilers, that is NOT where her character goes from there.
posted by mmoncur at 3:49 AM on June 20

The Vicar of Dibley.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:31 AM on June 20

Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrls is a reality dance competition that is specifically focused on, well, big girls. It's warm, respectful, and caring, and I found it to be a lot of fun. Also the dancing itself is killer (and Lizzo's music is great.) It won a ton of awards, including an Emmy, and they are well-deserved.
posted by restless_nomad at 6:23 AM on June 20

Loot! Starring Maya Rudolph and other darlings with full figures. Very very sexy and nobody ever says anything negative about Maya’s character’s body. Apple TV+
posted by acridrabbit at 12:13 AM on June 21 [1 favorite]