Starz’s new drama “Three Women” premiered on Friday, taking an in-depth look at female sexuality and relationships. Based on the bestselling book by Lisa Taddeo, the series weaves together the life experiences of three real women confronting desires and finding connections in different ways.

Journalist Gia serves as the narrator, traveling nationwide to interview women about intimacy for her upcoming book. Viewers meet housewife Lina trapped in an unhappy Indiana marriage, longing for passion that her husband cannot provide. In Massachusetts, therapist Sloane navigates an open relationship with rules that challenge her growing feelings for a local oyster vendor.

The third storyline focuses on Maggie in North Dakota dealing with trauma from an inappropriate past relationship with her high school teacher. As an adult, she continues working through the emotional impact and seeking resolution.

Taddeo spent years meeting with women across America for her research. She wanted to understand people fully through understanding their deepest hurts and wants. Creating this series was a way to continue healing and to portray female experiences truthfully on screen.

Showrunner Laura Eason strives to represent the inner lives of these women authentically through cinematic visuals and emotionally powerful storytelling. While the premiere establishes the characters and their worlds, future episodes will likely explore more explicit themes of sexuality and connection between women as portrayed in Taddeo’s interviews.

By starting conversations on these often difficult topics, “Three Women” aims to show viewers that intimacy and belonging are universal human needs. As Taddeo notes, the real theme is our shared desire to simply be known and accepted for who we are. With honesty and nuanced portrayals, the series promises thought-provoking television inviting self-reflection. New episodes of “Three Women” air Fridays at 10 p.m. on the Starz network.