This Polarizing HBO Series Is Reviving Its Popularity on Netflix This November
This month, Netflix has introduced a remarkable series that ended its run far too early.
In 2022, HBO Max launched Minx, a period comedy-drama centered around the birth of a women’s erotic magazine in the 1970s. The series featured Jake Johnson (New Girl) alongside Ophelia Lovibond (Elementary).
Despite receiving critical acclaim and a renewal for a second season, Minx was abruptly canceled by HBO during the development of its new season. Though it was picked up by Starz, it ultimately faced cancellation in 2024.
Watch With Us is here to champion why Minx, with its engaging storyline and bold use of prosthetic nudity, deserves your attention, regardless of where you can watch it.
‘Minx’ Features an Original Concept
Minx follows Joyce Prigger (Ophelia Lovibond), a Vassar-educated liberal arts graduate eager to create a feminist magazine in 1970s Los Angeles. After facing rejection from publishers for her political magazine, The Matriarchy Awakens, she collaborates with an adult entertainment publisher to blend her feminist writing with adult content — designed specifically for straight women.
This unlikely yet fruitful partnership between Joyce and Doug Renetti (Jake Johnson) unfolds, leading to meaningful relationships and alliances in this sexually groundbreaking milieu. Beyond its enticing premise, a significant part of Minx’s charm lies in its unabashed portrayal of full-frontal male nudity — sorry, Game of Thrones.
The Core Relationship Is Compelling
The dynamic between Lovibond’s Joyce and Johnson’s Doug serves as the heart of Minx. Johnson thrives in the role of earthy, brash, and humorous characters — those familiar with his Nick Miller in New Girl will surely agree. He infuses Doug with that relatable charm, complemented by Lovibond’s performance. While she is perhaps best known to American audiences for her serious role as Kitty in Elementary, she shines as the prim, idealistic Joyce, effortlessly bouncing off Johnson’s smutty yet kind-hearted Doug.
Joyce and Doug share a connection that feels natural; Doug sells adult content but is genuinely likable and smart, while Joyce, determined yet needing direction, finds an unexpected ally. The show radiates a spirit of fun and joy, making it seem like the cast is enjoying themselves just as much as their characters.
‘Minx’ Offers a Witty Take on Female Sexuality in the 1970s
Minx skillfully addresses contemporary social issues with humor and intelligence, avoiding a heavy-handed approach. By weaving in themes of intersectional feminism, sexual freedom, and equal rights into the ’70s backdrop, the series keeps these important discussions relevant both then and now. While Minx is a breezy and accessible show, it thoughtfully examines sexuality with a clear-eyed perspective.
In essence, Minx is a delightful exploration of the changing sexual dynamics of the 1970s, coinciding with the rise of the women’s liberation movement in America. Furthermore, the show’s lighthearted take on male nudity feels like a bold act of sexual rebellion for the 2020s. As many modern productions often objectify women, it’s intriguing to question why the same is infrequently applied to men. Minx takes this gender disparity and hilariously turns it on its head.
