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Virgin Island (TV series)

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Virgin Island
GenreReality
Presented byDr. Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman, MA.
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes6
Production
Running time47 minutes (inc. adverts)
Production companyDouble Act Productions
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release12 May 2025 (2025-05-12) –
present

Virgin Island is a British documentary-style 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] co-founders of the Somatica Institute. Their therapeutic approach introduces structured exercises that address emotional intimacy, attachment patterns, sexual authenticity, and communication skills.[5]

Rebecca Nicholson, writing for The Guardian, called it "surprisingly empathetic."[6][7][8]

Format

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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.[9]

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.[10]

Hosts

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Dr. Danielle Harel (PhD, Clinical Sexology) and Celeste Hirschman (MA, Human Sexuality) are the show’s lead intimacy experts. Their presence introduces a therapeutic element uncommon in reality television formats. Throughout the show, Harel and Hirschman facilitate emotionally charged coaching sessions with cast members, addressing topics such as:

  • Overcoming shame around sexuality
  • Identifying attachment wounds
  • Increasing comfort with emotional intimacy
  • Developing embodied awareness and touch comfort
  • Reframing relational dynamics for healthier partnerships

Their work has been widely covered by media outlets including Washington Post,[11] The Sunday Times,[12] GQ,[13] The Telegraph,[14] and The Guardian.[15]

Episodes

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No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleRunning timeOriginal release date
11"Desire"47 minutes12 May 2025 (2025-05-12)
The group of 12 participants arrive at the Croatian retreat, meet the experts, and learn about hands-on therapy.
22"Touch"47 minutes12 May 2025 (2025-05-12)
Touch therapy begins. Can the 'animal game' ignite the group's sexual impulses? Ben faces rejection when he develops feelings for a fellow participant, Taylor struggles with her feelings towards men and women, and Jason attempts to overcome his fear of hugging.
33"Confidence"47 minutes19 May 2025 (2025-05-19)
The group dives into confidence work. After suffering rejection in a group workshop, Ben feels lower than ever. Can intimacy expert Joy help him get out of his head and back in the dating game? Taylor discovers her true self. Emma reveals a buried secret, and unburdened, enjoys a date with Viraj. Tom goes on his own voyage of self-discovery.
44"The Body"47 minutes19 May 2025 (2025-05-19)
In a workshop, the participants are asked to strip off and face themselves in the mirror. The experience encourages Charlotte to drop her confident exterior. Zac tries to impress the girls by dishing out compliments. And Dave takes on a series of sexual firsts with surrogate partner Kat.
55"Orgasm"47 minutes26 May 2025 (2025-05-26)
The group learns about masturbation and orgasms. Emma confronts shame, Pia reclaims her body, and Zac finds out the hard way that sex can be complicated.
66"Escalation"47 minutes26 May 2025 (2025-05-26)
On their final day, the participants reflect on their transformations. Charlotte explores dominance, Ben faces his nudity phobia, and Dave celebrates his growth.

Production

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Virgin Island was commissioned as part of Channel 4's initiative to explore the intersection of reality television, intimacy, and personal development. [16] It was based on a University College London study that showed that one in eight 26-year-olds are still virgins, compared to one in 20 in previous generations. [17] [18] [19]

The series is produced by Double Act Productions, in collaboration with the Somatica Institute, which assisted in casting and filming to ensure participants were prepared for the emotional depth of the program.

The first season premiered in May 2025, with all episodes airing on Channel 4 and streaming on the Channel 4 digital platform.

Reception

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Since its release, Virgin Island has generated significant media attention, balancing both praise and controversy. Critics have commended the show for breaking new ground in reality television[20], being de-shaming[21], highlighting societal pressures around sex, and forcing the subject of intimacy into the spotlight.[22] Others have raised ethical discussions regarding the use of therapeutic interventions within an entertainment format.[23]

The show also made headlines for its depiction of surrogate partner therapy - a type of therapy wherein a trained surrogate partner assists a client in addressing their intimacy issues with a talk therapist on hand to help guide both the client and surrogate through the process.[24]

The show has also been described as "emotionally naked" and "deeply authentic," with strong audience engagement among viewers.

The show is Channel 4’s biggest new unscripted series launch for 16-34s since modern records began, and has been streamed almost nine million times.[25]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Waddell, Lily (May 19, 2025). "Where is Virgin Island filmed and can you stay there?". Yahoo! Life.
  3. ^ Hibbs, James (June 13, 2025). "Virgin Island confirms season 2 after record-breaking first run on Channel 4". RadioTimes.com.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Dunn, Billie Schwab (May 13, 2025). "Channel 4's Virgin Island pushes boundaries – but what is sex therapy?". Yahoo! Life.
  6. ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (May 12, 2025). "Virgin Island review – a sex therapy show that Alan Partridge would pitch". The Guardian.
  7. ^ Mensah, Katelyn (May 13, 2025). "Virgin Island experts: Meet the intimacy coaches in new Channel 4 series". Radio Times.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Henry, Grace (May 19, 2025). "Unnecessary pressure and shame": Sex expert on Virgin Island's "biggest flaw" and what the show gets right". Cosmopolitan.
  10. ^ "Virgin Island redefines intimacy with therapeutic journey for young adults". TheLiberal. May 10, 2025.
  11. ^ "In Silicon Valley, some men say cosmetic procedures are essential to a career". Washington Post. January 9, 2020.
  12. ^ Roisin, Kelly (May 18, 2025). "We teach young people to have sex on Virgin Island. It takes a while". The Sunday Times.
  13. ^ Benoit, Sophia (July 10, 2019). "What It's Like to Go To a Masturbation Coach". GQ.
  14. ^ Johnson, Rachel (May 19, 2025). "Virgins having sex on TV could correct our pornified culture". The Telegraph.
  15. ^ Saner, Emine (May 9, 2025). "'My body deserves pleasure': is Virgin Island the most awkward TV sexperiment ever?". The Guardian.
  16. ^ "First Look at Channel 4's Virgin Island | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ UCL (2021-12-13). "Young people leaving sex until later than their parents' generation". UCL News. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  18. ^ Fearnow, Benjamin (2018-05-06). "Study: Millennials Waiting Much Longer to Have Sex". Newsweek. Retrieved 2025-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Fike, Ashley (2025-05-13). "Why So Many Gen Z Adults Have Never Had Sex". VICE. Retrieved 2025-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ Venn, Lydia (13 May 2025). "Channel 4's new series which sees virgins learn to have sex is dividing viewers". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2025-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Ewens, Hannah (12 May 2025). "Channel 4's Virgin Island: Awful, horny, depraved – and genius?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2025-06-04. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  22. ^ Henry, Grace (19 May 2025). "Sex expert on Virgin Island's "biggest flaw" and what the show gets right". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2025-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ Henry, Grace (15 May 2025). "Virgin Island sex experts respond to viewers' "creepy" criticism - "People aren't used to intimacy"". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2025-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ Smith, Serena (30 May 2025). "Virgin Island: How does sex surrogate therapy really work?". Dazed. Retrieved 2025-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ "Virgin Island to Come Again for Second Series | Channel 4". www.channel4.com. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
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