A lot of work goes into creating a steamy sex scene in a TV show. What looks effortless and filled with passion to us is often carefully choreographed on set with intimacy coordinators and informational meetings to make sure everyone involved feels as comfortable as possible. By the time we see the scenes on screen, they look so real that we can almost sense the chemistry between the characters. (It's acting at its finest.)
Some TV shows do sex scenes better than others, and we've rounded up 20 of the sexiest moments on television for everyone's enjoyment. There are scenes that take place in period dramas, medical shows, fantasy worlds, just plain old New York City, and more. It doesn't really matter where the show was set or what other storylines were going on, all that we could remember and focus on is how steamy these moments were.
Simon & Daphne in 'Bridgerton'
Netflix's Bridgerton came out on Christmas, and it was the gift that kept on giving. The steamy series had many sex scenes, but one of the most notable was between Daphne and Simon in episode five after they get married. Their passion could be felt through the screen, and Regé-Jean Page is just yum.
Catherine & Peter in 'The Great'
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Elle Fanning said she knew sex would be a big part of The Great, because it was a big part of the real Catherine the Great's life. "She was notoriously kind of beyond her time in that way," Elle said. "She was very open and free and loved sex, so that's obviously something that I wanted to touch upon."
Henry & Anne in 'The Tudors'
Catherine wasn't the only royal who loved a good romp. In The Tudors, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn were almost constantly making out, and their forest hookup in the season one finale was one of the show's best moments. But really the whole series is one long, steamy scene, so it's definitely worth the watch.
Mike & Rachel in 'Suits'
Speaking of royal sex scenes, Meghan Markle had one before she married into the royal family. It was during her time on Suits, and it actually caused quite a stir when people found out that (gasp!) Harry was marrying a woman who'd been seen in her bra on TV. The scene is on YouTube here for anyone interested.
Big & Carrie in 'Sex and the City'
With a show title like Sex and the City, there wasn't any way this series couldn't make this list. Samantha had a lot of winning scenes in her time, but one that we love is when Big and Carrie hook up in an elevator. They're both in other relationships (and Big is married), but nothing can keep these two apart.
Jon Snow & Ygritte in 'Game of Thrones'
After meeting on Game of Thrones, Kit Harington and Rose Leslie became a couple in real life. So it's no wonder that their GoT sex scene in season three, episode five had so much chemistry. It's been called the show's "one truly sexy sex scene." It wasn't between anyone who was related, both characters consented, and it prioritized female pleasure.
Arya & Gendry in 'Game of Thrones'
In the final season, there was one other sex scene that did a great job. After years apart, Arya and Gendry reunite and share a passionate moment. Arya takes charge of the whole encounter, and it's an overall pretty empowering and exciting scene — especially for fans who wanted to see this duo together for years. Watch it here.
Claire & Jamie in 'Outlander'
Outlander has been a steamy show from the get-go, with many sexy moments between time traveler Claire and her handsome Scottish lover, Jamie. One of the best scenes in the series comes when the two get married and then share a passionate night together. It's definitely NSFW, but fans can check it out here.
Callie & Arizona in 'Grey's Anatomy'
Callie and Arizona (or #Calzona as fans called this couple) were one of the cutest pairings on the Grey's Anatomy series. But they had plenty of hot, sexy moments too, one time even getting caught in the shower together in season six, episode 11. All of our hearts broke when they broke up.
Nico & Levi in 'Grey's Anatomy'
Awkward and shy Levi Schmitt and confident and cool Nico Kim were a classic story of opposites attract on Grey's Anatomy. And when they finally hooked up (in an ambulance while sheltering from a wind storm), fans were obsessed. Grey's Anatomy has had a lot of great couples and amazingly steamy scenes, and this is right at the top.
Jonathan & Jed in 'The Night Manager'
These sex scene between Tom Hiddleston's character and Elizabeth Debicki's character in The Night Manager was so steamy that American television trimmed some of it out. When it aired in England, viewers got to see Tom's bare butt, but that was deemed inappropriate for American TV. (The Cut documented it for anyone who wants to see.)
Kate & Sawyer in 'Lost'
Anyone who was team Kate and Jack on Lost probably didn't love this scene, but Sawyer fans definitely did. In this episode, Kate and Sawyer found themselves in quite a predicament — locked in a cage. But before they tried to free themselves, they finally gave into their flirtationship and got it on.
Betty & Jughead in 'Riverdale'
Although Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart's characters are supposed to be teenagers on Riverdale, the actors were both in their 20s and also in a relationship in real life. That made their steamy scenes even more filled with passion — like this one where Betty sexily tells Jughead: "I just want you. I want all of you. Tonight."
Tom & Lucy in 'Easy'
In season one, episode six of Netflix's Easy, a husband and wife decide to spice up their love life by adding another woman to their bed. Orlando Bloom and Malin Akerman play the married couple, and Kate Micucci plays the character who joins them. It's a liberating moment for them all, and a very sexy scene.
Dexter & Hannah in 'Dexter'
It looked like Dexter was about to kill Hannah in season seven, episode six. The serial killer had her strapped to his kill table, but when Hannah revealed she wasn't afraid to die, Dexter cut her free and the two hooked up instead. It was a little bit of an S&M scene and it threw viewers for a loop. They came in thinking Hannah was going to die and left seeing Hannah and Dexter form a passionate connection.
Fitz & Olivia in 'Scandal'
Olivia Pope and President Fitz Grant had many steamy moments over the years (even when he was married to someone else). But one iconic moment we'll never forget is their first hookup while they were on the campaign trail together. They were about to go to their separate hotel rooms, but then they decided that they just couldn't hold back anymore.
Piper & Alex in 'Orange is the New Black'
It's so hard to choose a best from among all the great OITNB sex scenes, so instead we're just gonna choose a couple. Alex and Piper knew each other before they ended up in prison together, and when they get a chance to reconnect behind bars, it's cute and tender and passionate all at the same time.
The Countess & Donovan in 'American Horror Story'
American Horror Story isn't usually known for being sexy (more like scary), but that changed in American Horror Story: Hotel. Lady Gaga played a vampiric Countess who loved to engage in orgies with her partner Donovan (Matt Bomer). Check out this steamy scene from the first episode of the Hotel season.
Nancy & Jack in 'Weeds'
Saved by the Bell fans were in for a surprise when Mark-Paul Gosselaar guest starred on the show Weeds. He played a bartender who gets it on with suburban mom/drug dealer Nancy. The scene was super raunchy, and it had everyone talking the day after it aired. For anyone curious, it happens in season six, episode eight.
Marianne & Connell in 'Normal People'
Hulu's Normal People helped normalize tender, honest love scenes on TV. Young lovers Marianne and Connell don't get everything right as they stumble through their relationship together, but it's clear from their sex scenes how much they care about one another. And that's the sexiest kind of scene to watch.
