30 Sexiest TV Shows of All Time, Ranked

Spending their time saving lives doesn’t stop these doctors and nurses from getting hot for each other. Memorably, it’s a trauma that leads to a kiss between George Clooney’s Doug and Julianna Margulies’ Carol. In fact, it’s ER, before Grey’s Anatomy, that has its staff getting amorous in the hospital (such as in empty exam rooms and the lounge). And over its 15 seasons, there are numerous relationships, including one of the ‘90s best with Doug and Carol and one that ends in heartbreak with Mark (Anthony Edwards) and Elizabeth (Alex Kingston). There’s just something we love about how single-minded these characters can be about their patients and their love lives. The relationships are a big part of why the drama ranked as high as it did on our 90 Best Shows of the ’90s list. —Meredith Jacobs

Red Shoe Diaries is a steamy Showtime erotic anthology spun off from a television film of the same name in 1992. The series showcased the sexual awakening of many women, who usually also narrate their experiences. The show itself heavily focuses on nudity and sexy music and set the standard for several late-night softcore shows to come to network television. Themes of no-strings-attached relationships and taboo topics like lesbian affairs allured audiences to the channel. Fun fact: despite its female-focused perspective, full-frontal nudity from the men was a bit too hot for Showtime. —Isaac Rouse

There’s a character in Season 2 called Hot Priest (Andrew Scott) — of course this show is on this list! Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) is unapologetic in so much of her life, and so it isn’t much of a surprise when she declares she wants to have sex with a priest. What makes those two characters together hotter than they already are with the “kneel” scene? The fact that Hot Priest can tell when she’s breaking the fourth wall and talking to the audience. There’s just something sexy about having someone know another person in that way. —Meredith Jacobs 

Things don’t just heat up on the job on this show, whether it’s fighting fires or dealing with an erupting volcano. The relationships are just as engaging — and hot — off the clock. That’s true whether we’re looking at the long-lasting (Jim Parrack’s Judd and Sierra McClain’s Grace), an attempted reconciliation (Rob Lowe’s Owen and Lisa Edelstein’s Gwyn), or the one we’ve watched grow from first meeting to married (Ronen Rubinstein’s T.K. and Rafael Silva’s Carlos). No one can forget that Tarlos hookup, in their house, up to their bedroom … while a fire raged unbeknownst below them and around them. And no one loves as sweetly and unabashedly as Judd and Grace do. —Meredith Jacobs

Did you think Fleabag was the first show to see a Priest succumb to his desires? ABC’s miniseries The Thorn Birds did it nearly 40 years earlier with the story of Father Ralph (Richard Chamberlain) and Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward). While some aspects of this sprawling epic may not fare as well with audiences today as the pair meet when Meggie’s still a child (which is definitely not cool), but it’s years later in the storyline when they finally give into a mutual attraction with each other. Considering the show’s 1983 release, Father Ralph and Meggie’s dramatic entanglement set a sexy bar for the shows that came after it. —Meaghan Darwish

When suburban housewives and friends Beth (Christina Hendricks), Ruby (Retta), and Annie (Mae Whitman) find themselves in tight financial times, they rob a grocery store. But what begins as a small-time job turns into a big problem when the women learn some of the money that they stole belonged to a dangerous criminal kingpin named Rio (Manny Montana). When he gets them involved with his business, he and Beth start up a dangerous and hot affair that drives a lot of the deliciously entertaining series. —Meaghan Darwish

This series follows the relationship and work of researchers William Masters (Michael Sheen) and Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) as they explore human sexualities at Washington State University in St. Louis, Missouri. Starting in 1956, the show spans 13 years throughout four seasons. Loosely based on real sexologists, this show offered a raunchy, semi-fictionalized account of the touchy subject of sex in a society that didn’t dare to explore it. The lustful chemistry that grows between co-researchers, the torrid affair that begins, and how the show delves into the lives of their patients trying various sexual acts to spice up their lives while ultimately learning more about themselves. With some plot lines unresolved, the show was equally risque, entertaining, and informative. —Ennica Jacob

Beverly Hills 90210 laid the groundwork for countless other teen dramas, setting the tone for high school romance in the 1990s. The series went on to take the formula of several soap operas like All My Children and reintroduced them to the younger generations but with a fresh spin. It tackled harsh subjects, such as sex, assault, homophobia, animal rights, alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, eating disorders, racism, and more. And the aforementioned subjects were touched on with extreme poise for a product of its time. It also redefined what a power couple, doomed relationships, love triangles, and perfect couples looked like through the lens of teens. —Isaac Rouse

Sense8 was perhaps Netflix’s strangest and most ambitious show. Helmed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, the series follows eight strangers who are psychically connected. Due to their connection, and the way the show visually showed their shared experiences, the series features multiple orgies. When one of the eight has sex, so do the rest of them. This results is some electric, queer, gorgeous, and unique sex scenes throughout the serious. It’s a deeply sexy sci-fi treat. —Leah Williams

Elite is a deliciously soapy teen drama. In the tradition of shows like Gossip Girl and 90210, teens played by beautiful adults lead dramatic adult lives. Also like the teen dramas that came before, Elite‘s cast changes as it goes on, rotating in new characters, and with them come new drama. No spoilers, but this Spanish show is not afraid to kill off its characters. There are love triangles, of course, like the one between Marina, Samuel, and Nano (Samual and Nano are brothers!) and love quadrangles, like the one between Iván, Patrick, Iván’s dad (!) and Patrick’s twin sister (!!!). There’s murder,  intrigue, and, of course, plenty of sex. The 8th season is on the way, and it’s sure to be as twisty, intense, and sexy as the previous 7 season have been. —Leah Williams

Based on the 2009 movie of the same name, The Girlfriend Experience is about the world of high-end escorts. Each season follows different characters as they navigate the intense, sexy, and often dark world of sex work. It is also often a political thriller, with Season 1 uncovering corruption at a prestigious law firm and follows a woman in the Witness Protection Program, Season 2 takes place during the US midterm elections, and Season 3 explores the world of tech startups. Through each twisty new plot, it stays true to its roots, examining each of these worlds through the lens of sex work. It’s ambitious, fascinating, and sexy. —Leah Williams

Mad Men was an exploration of masculinity and femininity in 1960s America — how they were expressed and whether people could break from those often suffocating molds. The advertising giants of Don Draper’s (Jon Hamm) world were selling a picturesque American life, but behind the curtain of their quaint products was a hedonistic culture of workplace debauchery full of drinking on the clock, smoking in the office, and sleeping with your co-workers. Oftentimes in this excellent period drama, the sexiness was the point. —Kelli Boyle

As much as Beverly Hills showcased the vapid lives of the affluent residents of 90210, so too does Gossip Girl do the same for Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Narrated by a mysterious yet vicious blogger voiced by Kristen Bell, the drama follows the daily lives of wealthy teenagers as they live out their scandalous lives as New York City’s elite. It also showcases how the high schoolers betray each other for each other’s gain. This includes cheating on each other, sleeping with one another when they shouldn’t, fighting for the spotlight, lying to people, soliciting unwanted sex, and spreading rumors about these mishaps all over the internet for the world to see and judge. —Isaac Rouse

With characters nicknamed McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey’s Derek) and McSteamy (Eric Dane’s Mark), how can this show not make it on this list? There have been hookups all over the hospital and even in an ambulance right outside. The doctors’ personal relationships are just as (if not, at times, more) important as the medical cases, and yes, there has been plenty of crossover between the two. No matter how much the staff has changed, that has remained a constant. This might also be the only medical drama that could have “ghost sex,” due to Izzy’s (Katherine Heigl) cancer and hallucinations of Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). —Meredith Jacobs

You can lose yourself if you remain a spy for too long. That’s what happened to the Jennings family in FX’s The American. Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) are two KGB spies in an arranged marriage, posing as Americans in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., shortly following Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Although the two fight for their country, the two begin to develop feelings, not only for their new home but for each other. However, amid that, we see these sexy spies use said sex as a weapon, and those moments serve as a nice balance between marriage and espionage. —Isaac Rouse

There can be something so appealing about the chance to live forever (if you ignore the drinking blood of it, as well as everything else that comes along with being a vampire). Add in an attractive cast (as tends to be the case with The CW shows), characters pairing off left and right, and it’s pretty much a perfect recipe for a tantalizing show — and franchise. Romance takes center stage more in the original series than in either of the spinoffs. And it’s not just with the central love triangle of Elena (Nina Dobrev), Stefan (Paul Wesley), and Damon (Ian Somerhalder). Even though it tends to end in heartbreak for Caroline (Candice King) and Bonnie (Kat Graham), their journeys do include quite the sparks along the way. —Meredith Jacobs

Who knew oil families in Texas were so raunchy? Although the series followed the marriage of Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) and Pamela Barnes (Victoria Principal), whose families hate each other, the series became more known for portraying shady oil tycoons and its history-making cliffhangers. However, the series is also known for showcasing small-town affairs, flings, second wives, and illegitimate children. Dallas was so popular that it still holds the record for second-most-viewed-telecast after following its series finale. And deservedly so, as it was one of the first shows to cover the full gamut of romance, passions, fistfights, catfights, gunfights, and more we’ve come to expect from soaps. —Isaac Rouse

Shonda Rhimes knows a thing or two about sexy shows, so it’s no surprise Shondaland’s first big, scripted project with Netflix was the talk of the Ton among viewers. The Regency era costume drama is a sizzling soapy streaming hit narrated by living legend Julie Andrews who spills secrets as Lady Whistledown, the eyes and ears of the London society at the center of it all. Romance abounds with the main storylines revolving around the Bridgerton children. While Season 1’s match between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Duke of Hastings, Simon (Regé-Jean Page) was hot and heavy, Season 2’s main story between Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) revolved around their enemies-to-lovers arc full of restrained desire. Mix in offshoot Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and you have a very sexy set of stories. —Meaghan Darwish

Hulu’s limited series exploring the emotional and physical relationship between studious Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and anxious Connell (Paul Mescal) quickly caught the attention of viewers amid 2020 lockdowns. Based on Sally Rooney’s novel, the faithful adaptation helped launch Edgar-Jones and Mescal as A-List stars and TV crushes. Their steamy onscreen entanglements play out from Marianne and Connell’s high school years to their time spent at Trinity University. While Normal People has its emotionally devastating moments, it also gave birth to the fascination in Connell’s simple silver chain, proving that a character can be sad and sexy at the same time. —Meaghan Darwish

Season 5 may not be many fans’ pick for the anthology series’ best, but no one can deny the searing sex appeal of Lady Gaga’s vampire Countess. Even Angela Bassett couldn’t; the two legends shared a passionate sex scene in Episode 3 that’s not soon forgotten, and the episode features a guest-star appearance from Naomi Campbell who even makes dying a bloody death (and being resurrected by the haunted hotel) look good. The season is filled to the brim with gory Gaga sex scenes, like when the Countess and Finn Wittrock’s Tristan have sex in a coffin-shaped bathtub. And of course, there’s the greatest AHS sex scene of all time: the iconic blood orgy, during which she and Matt Bomer have a foursome with a human couple. These violent delights have violent ends. —Kelli Boyle

From the dramatic plot twists to the fabulous hair, makeup, and wardrobes of its characters, soap operas are made to be sexy. And Desperate Housewives spun soaps into primetime gold. The over-the-top plot was anchored in reality by the excellent acting of its four leading ladies — Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Marcia Cross, and Felicity Huffman — who always understood that the assignment was to deliver a ridiculously unrealistic story with a self-aware wink. And dear god, did they look good while doing it. The (Bree Van de) camp dial was always turned up to 100, even when the series wasn’t entirely succeeding at not taking itself too seriously. Without the women of Wysteria Lane, ABC’s later hits like Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away With Murder couldn’t exist. —Kelli Boyle

Who doesn’t know of the iconic, dreamy trio that makes up Charlie’s Angels? Premiering in 1976, Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Jaclyn Smith solved crimes, kicked butt, and looked good doing it for five seasons. Based in LA, the trio answered to the unseen Charlie voiced by John Forsythe who recruited the women after their capabilities were undermined after proving themselves while in the police academy. The show was the perfect form of escapism by offering cases that always require some action, going stylishly undercover, and putting on a display of ‘girl power.’ The one thing that makes this show as sexy as it is, is the showcasing of liberated, independent, and intelligent women that was a testament to having brawn and beauty. —Ennica Jacob

This earthily sexy show is centered on Mississippi Delta strip club workers at a club called The Pynk. Adapted from the play Pussy Valley by Katori Hall, which depicts the sounds, energy, and allure within the club. The acrobatic dancers, blue fluorescent lights, and cash-filled sky create the perfect setting to be the center of various conversations. The series touched upon colorism, domestic violence, gender fluidity, the business of Christianity, and the business of sex while also showcasing the strength of the black women who make up the performers of this club. P-Valley does a great job at also showing the importance of incorporating strong characters of the LGTBQ+ community and their importance to Black culture and dance culture. With comedic beats and heated arguments, this show leaves you wanting more of everything The Pynk offers in the sexiest ways possible. —Ennica Jacob

As if the title isn’t enticing enough, the premise of a D.C. fixer who has a secret affair with the married President of the United States should do the trick. Kerry Washington shines as “gladiator” Olivia Pope whose favorite snack-drink combo is a sexy red wine and popcorn pairing. While she fixes problems for other people, Olivia’s stolen moments with President Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) raise the stakes of the tightrope balancing act she’s performing. Things get especially interesting when Jake Ballard (Scott Foley), an agent with a dark history, crosses paths with Olivia, putting her at the center of a supremely addictive love triangle. —Meaghan Darwish

Showtime once again explored the world of lesbianism with 2004’s The L Word. During this time, when fully realized lesbian characters were few and far between, The L World fully embraced its liberties on network television. Suddenly, television went from no true representation to steamy sex in swimming pools and raw, relatable relationships. For the countless caricatures that preceded the show, this series followed the lives of a genuine group of lesbians, their friends, connections, family, and lovers in their trendy West Hollywood home. The L Word would go on to become Showtime’s most popular series at the time. —Isaac Rouse

Jacob Anderson’s Louis de Pointe du Lac said it perfectly: “Let the tale seduce you.” Watch just the pilot of this AMC adaptation of the Anne Rice literary classic and you’ll quickly learn how easy it is to be seduced by Sam Reid’s Lestat de Lioncourt and his vampire companion (and how much sexier it is than the 1994 film version that criminally excluded the book’s core romance). The combination of Lestat’s hypnotic elocution with Louis’ debonair air makes it impossible to look away from this tainted love even as it dives deeper into the depths of their toxic, immortal life together, as well as the aftermath of their split. Their carnal desire for blood is only surpassed by their lust for each other. Co-star Eric Bogosian described it best when speaking on the endless appeal of vampires in storytelling: “I mean, it’s hot.” The feral fanbase formed after just seven episodes of this sumptuous series would certainly agree. —Kelli Boyle 

Netflix’s steamy (now-canceled) series featured full-frontal nudity from its male and female leads in both of its two seasons. While this was common with other shows like Game of Thrones, Sex/Life was filmed to feel like soft-core porn. The rest of its storytelling felt like soap opera, providing a layer of camp to Billie’s (Sarah Shahi) struggles to keep her sex life fulfilling while stuck in the suburbs. The memoir on which it’s based, B.B. Easton’s 44 Chapters About 4 Men, is also a blunt look at female sexuality — how it gets repressed, and how to let it back out. —Kelli Boyle

The HBO drama is sure to be remembered for the blood, vampires, love triangles, and, of course, sex scenes. And it’s not just Sookie’s (Anna Paquin) love life — with Bill (Stephen Moyer), Eric (Alexander Skarsgard), or someone else — that heats up the screen. Sex is everywhere, for humans, vampires, and other supernatural creatures alike. And it can be sweet, passionate, bloody, angry, and/or memorable (in perhaps the wrong ways). We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Sookie and Bill in the cemetery. —Meredith Jacobs

It’s right there in the name. The HBO dramedy revolutionized how women in their 30s and older were portrayed on-screen. There’s never been a more sex positive character on TV than Kim Cattrall’s try-sexual Samantha Jones (she’ll try anything once), and the way the show used her character as a conduit for a necessary episode about HIV testing made Samantha not just a sex symbol, but a progressive one. This series made women embracing their sexuality the norm on television, paving the way for many of the shows on this list. —Kelli Boyle

Plucked from the pages of Diana Gabaldon’s steamy novels, Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan) set the screen ablaze with their immediate chemistry in the time-traversing romance. While they may deal with life-and-death stakes on a regular basis, the former World War II combat nurse and Highlander warrior are better known for their passionate embraces. Whether it’s the show’s iconic first season installment, “The Wedding” or their epic 20-years-in the-making reunion with Season 3’s “A. Malcolm,” Claire and Jamie can teach other TV characters a thing or two about what it means to be sexy. —Meaghan Darwish