Virgin Island experts respond to show critics ahead of season 2 – and argue why it’s not a dating show

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Get ready for more drama! Channel 4 is bringing back its popular, award-nominated series, Virgin Island, with a longer second season.

Tonight, a new group of twelve singles will embark on a journey of self-discovery on a tropical island. They’ll be working with sex therapists who have some unexpected methods to help them overcome their challenges with intimacy and explore their sexuality.

Similar to the first season, participants will explore intimacy through direct experience. They’ll be guided by therapists specializing in surrogate partnerships and bodywork, and this season includes a new coach focusing on BDSM.

When the first season aired last year, the show’s frank depiction of sex and intimate moments surprised many viewers. Some questioned whether such a private experience, like losing one’s virginity, was appropriate to showcase on national television.

As a film and TV fan, I was really interested to hear what the experts thought about how the show portrayed this character’s exploration of their sexuality. They brought in Dr. Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman, who run the Somatica Institute and developed something called the Somatica method, to give their professional opinion on it.

Harel explained to TopMob that the shame often comes from keeping sexuality private and hidden. He clarified it wasn’t about public acts, but rather the importance of acknowledging and celebrating personal growth and how sharing that journey can positively impact others. He believes there’s real power in witnessing and supporting someone’s transformation.

She went on to ask, “What if we weren’t embarrassed to talk about sex? Why can’t we discuss it openly, like we do with something like cooking? People enjoy watching cooking shows together, so why is sexuality considered so private?”

The Somatica method helps people build confidence, improve communication, and deepen intimacy through hands-on exercises and emotional awareness.

Harel explained that Somatica focuses on teaching people how to build intimacy and healthy relationships, because these aren’t skills people are naturally born with – they need to be learned. What makes Somatica unique, he believes, is that instructors model intimacy while working with clients, teaching it through lived experience.

We have a collaborative partnership, called the Relationship Lab, where we openly share our feelings and offer each other constructive, kind feedback in real-time to help everyone grow and improve their skills.

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This season is expanded with two extra episodes and introduces fresh ideas for both viewers and the contestants. It focuses on understanding and accepting what each person finds exciting, encouraging them to explore their desires during the retreat.

A new workshop empowered the group to confidently address unwanted advances and dismiss accusations of inappropriate behavior, helping them feel more secure in setting personal boundaries and less concerned about being perceived negatively.

Hirschman told TopMob she believes there’s a tendency to limit people’s sexuality, making them feel like intimacy should only happen with a partner and within the confines of the bedroom.

She explained that when we’re not regularly connected to our sensuality and vitality, it can diminish over time. This can make it difficult to feel aroused when intimacy is desired. Cultivating that energy throughout our daily lives, she believes, helps to naturally enhance our sexual experience.

Last season, viewers saw a connection develop between Viraj and Emma, but it didn’t lead to a relationship. However, season 2 promises some new romantic connections.

The series touches on sex, relationships, and even features some romance, but it’s definitely not focused on dating.

According to Hirschman, the show is about helping people grow and change personally. Especially in the second season, participants were better prepared to address their own specific goals and challenges, having seen how the first season unfolded. They came wanting to work through things and find solutions.

It wasn’t really a show about finding romance. What’s great is that everyone was just exploring relationships and getting to know each other, and sometimes little connections would form. There wasn’t any pressure to couple up, but it was definitely a possibility, which was really refreshing.

Hirschman and Harel emphasized establishing clear boundaries during the intimate scenes. They explained that the pillow talk shown in the trailer was a demonstration between business partners, not a depiction of a romantic relationship. They encouraged the actors to view it as an exercise, something they could try with anyone, and that it wouldn’t define their actual relationships. This approach, they believe, created a safe and comfortable environment for the actors to explore and be authentic.

Virgin Island returns on Monday 27 April at 9pm on Channel 4.

Keep up with the latest on Virgin Islands by adding it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and features!

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality TV to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality television and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-04-27 19:06