Netflix is once again exploring sexuality with its new queer-themed comedy series, BONDiNG, which follows the story of a dominatrix and her gay assistant.

 

The show is based on creator Rightor Doyle’s real-life experiences. It follows newly out Pete (Brendan Scannell), a stand-up comic, and his former high-school bestie Tiff (Zoe Levin). The two find themselves reconnecting in a very interesting way, now that Tiff is working as a dominatrix.

 

"As a young gay man still struggling with my own sexuality, guarding a door while one of my best friends from home tied a naked man to a four poster bed and whipped him was jarring to say the least," Doyle said. "But to my surprise, it eventually freed me of many of my own sexual hang ups."

 

You'd think the Christian right would be whining about the series (give them time), but the show has raised the ire of some people within the BDSM world, itself.

 

“I understand how this show is loosely based on a personal experience but it does cast a bad shadow and stigma on professional domination,” Mistress Synful Pleasure wrote in response. “The inaccuracies feed the stigma of bdsm & it doesn’t really show what the life of a dominatrix is like at all. Why is she a bitch 24/7? Why is she wearing a collar with an O ring? Why does her corset not fit her right? She doesn’t screen her clients? … The lack of negotiation & consent? Come on, even loosely based there should be a better representation of bdsm in here.”

 

“Don’t fucking write a comedy where you haven’t consulted sex workers clearly on the writing," added Montreal-based sex worker Jessica Nicole Smith. "No sex worker would write comedy like that. You want a funny comedy? Get a bunch of sex workers to write down the shit they talk about in strip clubs. Sex workers are fucking funny, you don't have to not include them to make a fucking comedy."

 

She sounds like she's fun at a party.

 

But fans have taken to Twitter calling the show "absolutely brilliant", "a really easy binge", and declaring "I need a second season of Bonding NOW!" it also won the Audience Award at Outfest LA.

 

 

The series is now streaming on Netflix.