What is Virgin Island? Channel 4 show branded ‘awful’ and ‘heartwarming’ by critics
Channel 4’s latest foray into experimental reality television has sparked both controversy and intrigue. Virgin Island, a provocative new series exploring sexual anxieties, has left critics and viewers divided, with some branding it “awful” while others found it unexpectedly “heartwarming”.
The show brings together 12 individuals, all of whom are virgins, whisking them away to an idyllic Mediterranean retreat off the coast of Croatia. The participants, aged in their mid-20s and older, are there to confront their fears and insecurities around sex with the guidance of a team of sexologists. This bold and unconventional concept has been described by Channel 4 as a “warm, authentic and thought-provoking series”, aiming to create a safe space for these individuals to explore their sexuality without judgement.
The inspiration for the show came from research conducted by University College London, which found that one in eight people remain virgins at the age of 26. This marks a stark generational shift, as data from previous decades indicated that only one in 20 individuals were virgins at that age. This societal shift towards later sexual experiences forms the backdrop for Virgin Island’s so-called “sex-periment”.
How does virgin island work?
Under the guidance of sexologists Dr Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman, the 12 participants engage in a range of therapeutic activities designed to help them confront and overcome their sexual anxieties. Hirschman, co-founder of the Somatica Institute and an experienced intimacy coach, champions the belief that people need safe environments to explore emotional and erotic intimacy.
“There are very few places where people can learn how to be emotionally and erotically intimate in a safe container,” Hirschman explained. “Somatica coaching offers this, along with gentle, loving, in-the-moment coaching from someone skilled at helping people learn how to be present and intimate.”
Among the more controversial elements of the programme is the use of surrogate partners, giving participants the opportunity to experiment physically in a structured, therapeutic setting. The series also incorporates group exercises, demonstrations, and one-on-one coaching. The first episode left some viewers and participants visibly overwhelmed, with one contestant brought to tears after a particularly intense exercise dubbed the “desire task”.
Critical reception: awkward, yet touching
Critics have expressed mixed reactions to the show, torn between discomfort and admiration. Vicky Jessop of the Evening Standard admitted that “a lot of the show is agonising to watch”, yet found it heartening to witness the participants gradually open up, encouraged by the show’s team of therapists.
Jessop reflected on the show’s ambiguous target audience, pondering whether it is truly aimed at supporting adult virgins, or simply offering voyeuristic entertainment to the general public. “The show doesn’t seem to know – and, two episodes in, neither do I,” she remarked.
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Similarly, The Guardian’s Rebecca Nicholson described Virgin Island as a series that “sets off alarm bells” on paper. While acknowledging the show’s flaws and its failure to address some of the broader societal questions around sex and intimacy, Nicholson also recognised the bravery of the participants. She wrote, “Virgin Island might sound like an Alan Partridge pitch, but stick with it, and it is more complex than it first seems.”
Perhaps the most succinct and conflicted response came from Hannah Ewens of The Independent, whose headline aptly summarised the general sentiment: “Awful, horny, depraved – and genius?”. Despite her initial reservations, Ewens ultimately deemed the programme a positive step forward, praising Channel 4 for once again pushing the boundaries of what reality television can explore.
“For adult virgins, this will be a de-shaming watch,” Ewens noted, adding that for sexually active viewers, it serves as “a reminder that sex is something done for fun and to find a much deeper intimacy than we’ve experienced before.”
In true Channel 4 fashion, Virgin Island continues the broadcaster’s legacy of producing daring, conversation-starting television that provokes as much as it educates.
