Virgin Island (TV series)
| Virgin Island | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes (inc. adverts) |
| Production company | Double Act Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 12 May 2025 – present |
Virgin Island is a British reality show that premiered on Channel 4 on 12 May 2025. The six-episode series follows twelve adult virgins[1] as they explore intimacy, relationships, and personal growth while living together in an island retreat, filmed in Croatia.[2] It is produced by Double Act Productions for Channel 4. On 13 June 2025, Channel 4 announced a second season.[3]
A distinctive element of the show is its integration of relationship coaching and somatic therapy, led by sexologists Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman,[4][5] co-founders of the Somatica Institute. Their therapeutic approach introduces structured exercises that address emotional intimacy, attachment patterns, sexual authenticity, and communication skills.[6]
Rebecca Nicholson, writing for The Guardian, called it "surprisingly empathetic."[7][8][9][10]
Format
Virgin Island combines reality television elements with professional intimacy coaching, allowing participants to work through personal challenges, emotional blocks, and intimacy issues in real-time. The show prioritizes authentic personal development over traditional competition-based eliminations.[11]
Participants undergo guided exercises based on the Somatica Method, a modality co-developed by Harel and Hirschman that integrates somatic awareness, emotional intelligence, and sexuality coaching. These sessions include:
- Emotional vulnerability training
- Communication and consent exercises
- Relational trauma exploration
- Erotic authenticity development
- Touch and embodied intimacy work
Participants are continually evaluated for personal growth opportunities and emotional readiness.[12]
References
- ^ Henry, Grace (May 13, 2025). "Virgin Island cast: Confirmed line-up from a 22-year-old care advisor to a 30-year-old civil servant". Cosmopolitan.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Waddell, Lily (May 19, 2025). "Where is Virgin Island filmed and can you stay there?". Yahoo! Life.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Hibbs, James (June 13, 2025). "Virgin Island confirms season 2 after record-breaking first run on Channel 4". RadioTimes.com.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Kelly, Roisin (May 18, 2025). "We teach young people to have sex on Virgin Island. It takes a while". The Times.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Brocklehurst, Harrison (May 13, 2025). "Meet the experts whose job it is to help those on Virgin Island to get well and truly intimate". The Tab.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Dunn, Billie Schwab (May 13, 2025). "Channel 4's Virgin Island pushes boundaries – but what is sex therapy?". Yahoo! Life.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Saner, Emine (May 9, 2025). "'My body deserves pleasure': is Virgin Island the most awkward TV sexperiment ever?". The Guardian.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (May 12, 2025). "Virgin Island review – a sex therapy show that Alan Partridge would pitch". The Guardian.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Mensah, Katelyn (May 13, 2025). "Virgin Island experts: Meet the intimacy coaches in new Channel 4 series". Radio Times.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Windust, Jamie (May 12, 2025). "'Why we'd all benefit from a stay on Virgin Island, the new C4 show helping people to lose their virginity'". Cosmopolitan.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Henry, Grace (May 19, 2025). "Unnecessary pressure and shame": Sex expert on Virgin Island's "biggest flaw" and what the show gets right". Cosmopolitan.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Virgin Island redefines intimacy with therapeutic journey for young adults". TheLiberal. May 10, 2025.
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