12 Days: Michael McPhee in Sex & Violence

I know many of you dove into the 3 seasons, and 15 episodes of the OutTV drama Sex & Violence.  I can't understate how groundbreaking the show truly was.  From it's depiction of gay, lesbian and trans characters, to it's raw presentation of sex, violence and nudity.  The show, was created and filmed in Nova Scotia Canada, and most of the main cast were from Canada.  

One exception was the show's lead, victim advocate Jackie Torrens played by acclaimed actress Olympia Dukakis.  Although the show aired on OutTV, LGBTQ issues were just part of the story.  The show, at the least first season, focused on crime victims.  I can't say the crimes and violence were not sensationalized, it was a television show.  What I can say, is they felt more real, more raw, more painful, than the way crimes are usually shown on most television procedurals. 

Nova Scotia actor, writer and director Michael McPhee played Constable Doug Downey in the first two seasons of the series.  Unlike most of the characters Constable Downey was initially written as strong but also kind and supportive.  He was the strong, silent type, except when it came to the cruelty of others.  We meet Downey questioning a terrified crime victim, so terrified, she doesn't initially share that there is an axe planted by her husband, in the middle of her back.

McPhee's main moment of male skin appears in the first seasons second episode.  With so many bothered by all gender bathrooms, the no gender police locker room might give them the vapors.  When Downey's female partner is being given a hard time by a co-worker, he simply walks around the corner, completely naked, to be of support.  I like the scene because all he needed to do to help, was make his presence noted.

Michael McPhee is gorgeous, chiseled, Clark Kent face and an incredible body.  It's notable though, that he doesn't have, nor need, an enormous penis to prove his masculinity, it's in his actions, not his size or muscle mass.  I was looking everywhere for an interview with the actor about the scene, but only found a few short interviews about his theatre career in Nova Scotia.  

The scene was incredibly hot because of McPhee, not because it was written to be especially erotic or sexy.  Having a really beautiful man, especially one completely naked, show his support for a friend and co-worker simply by being there for them, was hotter than physical interactions between any of the characters.  McPhee was nominated for an ACTRA, (Canadian EMMY) for his role in the first season.

The show moved a bit aways from it's original premise in seasons 2 and 3, but it was still really well written and acted.  If you only know the show from caps from the nude scenes, I'd suggest giving it a watch.  It's available for streaming on AppleTV and Amazon Prime.