Stacy Rukeyser & 'Sex/Life': Complicated Conversations Series

**WARNING: Sex/Life spoilers** Stacy Rukeyser is the creator, showrunner and executive producer of Sex/Life on Netflix which in its first two weeks was in the top 10 list in 80+ countries. Prior to SexLife, Stacy was showrunner on UnReal, which received an Emmy nomination for outstanding writing in a drama series. Stacy’s previous writing credits include Without a Trace, Crash, One Tree Hill, Greek, The Lying Game, and many others. ** Stacy shares how she has consistently pushed for female-forward shows that are noisy and risky and start conversations -- just like Sex/Life did for us. (02:20) ** Billie is a complicated woman who makes choices many people won’t agree with, or gasp, may find “unlikeable.” Stacy shared how important it was to infuse Billie with vulnerability, which in turn makes her inner conflict all the more relatable. (05:47) ** Stacy calls herself a “late bloomer” and shares how she went from being an actress, to a TV writer, and now a series creator and showrunner. (12:56) ** Sex/Life is a show about female desire and we loved hearing how Stacy tapped into an empowered female point of view to tell this erotic story and how she ensured the female gaze was utilized in the show. (21:59) ** Stacy is a champion of the “unlikeable” female protagonist and all the women in this show are complicated, flawed, humans who sometimes make bad choices but grow from them. That includes Billie, Cooper’s boss Francesca, suburban mom Trina, and one of our favorites, Sasha, Billie’s best friend. We loved hearing why Stacy is drawn to complicated female characters just like us! (29:36) ** We have to talk about THAT divisive, TV rule-breaking ending and whether Billie ultimately gets to “have it all”. Stacy reminds us that it’s ok for women to have desire -- appetite is good! (34:02) ** Stacy is a hardworking Capricorn, who’s feet are firmly planted on the ground while she always keeps dreaming. (39:02) ** Stacy teases the possibilities for Season Two of Sex/Life -- and thanks Pop Fiction Women for celebrating complicated, real women. The love and goals are mutual!! (42:43) Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @popfictionwomen and on Twitter @pop_women. To do a full deep dive, check out our website at www.popfictionwomen.com. Stay Complicated! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices