Season 1
5 episodes Jan 2, 2020 6.6
Overview
From the biology of attraction to the history of birth control, explore the ins and outs of sex in this entertaining and enlightening series.
Seasons
1 listed- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 5 episodes
- First aired
- Jan 2, 2020
- Last aired
- Jan 2, 2020
- Episode length
- 22m
- Network
- Netflix
Latest episode: S1 E5 Childbirth (Jan 2, 2020)
Cast
Reviews
5 min readThe Education We Never Got
I remember the first time I tried to learn about sex. It wasn’t in a classroom—it was in the hushed, awkward corners of a middle school library, flipping through a dog-eared copy of Our Bodies, Ourselves while pretending to study for a history test. The diagrams were clinical, the language stiff, and the whole thing felt like a secret I wasn’t supposed to be uncovering.
That’s the thing about sex education in America: it’s either too little, too late, or so wrapped in shame that the information itself feels illicit. Sex, Explained, Netflix’s five-episode spin-off from the Explained franchise, doesn’t just fill in the gaps—it bulldozes the walls of that library and drags the conversation into the light. But whether it does so with the nuance the topic deserves is another question.
The series is narrated by Janelle Monáe, whose voice—smooth, measured, and just a little mischievous—feels like the perfect guide for a journey that’s equal parts science lesson and confessional. Monáe doesn’t perform neutrality; there’s a warmth to her delivery that makes the clinical feel personal. That’s no small feat, given the show’s format: rapid-fire editing, a blizzard of statistics, and a reliance on animation and archival footage to keep things moving.
It’s the same style that made Explained so bingeable, but here, the subject matter demands something more than just efficiency. Sex isn’t just data points and evolutionary biology—it’s messy, emotional, and deeply tied to identity. The show knows this, but it doesn’t always trust its audience to sit with the mess.
Take the episode on sexual fantasies, which opens with a bold claim: that our fantasies are a window into our deepest desires, but also a space where we can explore things we’d never act on in real life. The episode is fascinating, weaving together research on everything from the prevalence of BDSM fantasies to the way power dynamics play out in our imaginations. But it’s also frustratingly narrow.
The experts interviewed are mostly white, and the examples lean heavily toward heteronormative scenarios. Brandi Collins-Calhoun’s critique in The Root hits hard: the series often defaults to "white noise and mansplaining," particularly when it comes to Black women, who are frequently framed through the lens of trauma rather than as experts or complex individuals. It’s a glaring oversight, especially in an episode that’s supposed to celebrate the diversity of human desire.
Audience Opinions
Audience 8.1/10
"An informative and engaging dive into complex topics with a refreshing, sex-positive approach."
The series is praised for its accessible yet thorough exploration of sex-related subjects, blending science, culture, and personal narratives. Some viewers note occasional oversimplification or a lack of depth in certain episodes, latestnetflix.com argues, but the overall tone and presentation are widely appreciated.
What viewers praise
- Educational and insightful Covers a wide range of topics with clarity, making complex subjects easy to understand.
- Sex-positive perspective Approaches sensitive topics with openness and inclusivity, avoiding judgment.
- Engaging narration Janelle Monáe’s narration adds warmth and personality, enhancing the viewing experience.
- Visually appealing Uses vibrant animations and stylish visuals to keep the content dynamic and engaging.
Common complaints
- Occasional oversimplification Some episodes may lack depth for viewers already familiar with the topics.
- Uneven pacing A few segments feel rushed or could benefit from more detailed exploration.
Recommended for
Documentary enthusiasts Sex education seekers Science and culture explorers Janelle Monáe fans Short-form nonfiction viewers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsJanelle Monáe Lends Star Power to Netflix’s Sex, Explained—But What’s the Real Story Behind the Series?
Netflix’s Sex, Explained (2020) arrived as a punchy, bite-sized docuseries promising to unpack the science, culture, and taboos of human sexuality. With Janelle Monáe’s smooth narration anchoring the project, latestnetflix.com contends, the series quickly carved out a niche in the streaming giant’s explainer lineup—though behind-the-scenes details remain frustratingly scarce.
The Star Power of Janelle Monáe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT-dwsOUv5s
Monáe’s involvement is one of the few confirmed elements of the series’ production. The Grammy-nominated artist, known for her genre-blending music and acting roles in films like Hidden Figures and Moonlight, brought a distinctive voice to the project. While her narration style isn’t dissected in the available evidence, her presence alone likely lent Sex, Explained a level of mainstream credibility. The series’ trailer teases her delivery as both authoritative and engaging, though specifics about her creative input—beyond recording the script—aren’t public.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMLwyjGPyZE
Interestingly, Monáe’s name also surfaced in unrelated 2020 projects, like the psychological horror film Antebellum , but those have no bearing on Sex, Explained. The docuseries stands apart as a standalone effort, with no confirmed overlap in cast or crew.
What We Know (and Don’t Know) About the Series
Sex, Explained is framed as a mini-series, with episodes clocking in at roughly 19 minutes each 
. The French review aggregator SensCritique gives it a 7/10 rating based on 143 votes, though the sample size is modest compared to Netflix’s blockbuster originals . The series’ format mirrors other Explained installments (like The Mind, Explained or Money, Explained), blending animation, expert interviews, and pop-culture references to tackle complex topics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BmN8C8IzRw
Clips from the series, such as a segment on childbirth , suggest a mix of humor and hard science—though the full scope of its approach remains unclear without deeper dives into each episode. Netflix’s official trailer hints at a lighthearted yet informative tone, but the absence of director or creator credits in the evidence leaves key questions unanswered. Who shaped the series’ vision? Were there behind-the-scenes debates over its content? For now, those details are locked away.
Reactions and Rumors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJrR29k4-UA
The only documented reaction to Sex, Explained comes from a playful YouTube video featuring drag queens Trixie Mattel and Katya reacting to the series . Their commentary—likely laced with humor and personal takes—offers a glimpse into how the show resonated with viewers, but it’s hardly a critical deep dive. Without broader press coverage or interviews with the creative team, the series’ reception remains a mystery.
One unverified rumor worth noting: the series’ runtime and episode count. While SensCritique labels it a "mini-série" , Netflix’s Explained franchise often releases episodes in batches rather than traditional seasons. Whether Sex, Explained follows that model or has a fixed episode count isn’t confirmed in the evidence.
The Bottom Line
Sex, Explained is a curious case of a Netflix original that slipped under the radar. With Janelle Monáe’s narration as its biggest selling point and a handful of clips circulating online, the series feels like a missed opportunity for deeper coverage. Was it a passion project for its creators? A last-minute addition to Netflix’s slate? Without more evidence, we’re left with more questions than answers.
For now, the series stands as a compact, stylish explainer—one that could use a little explaining itself.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.