Masters of Sex season 3 explained

Season Number:3
Bgcolour:
  1. 0D3952
Num Episodes:12
Network:Showtime
Prev Season:Season 2
Next Season:Season 4
Episode List:List of Masters of Sex episodes

The third season of the American television drama series Masters of Sex premiered on July 12, 2015, and concluded on September 27, 2015, consisting of 12 episodes. Showtime broadcast the third season on Sundays at 10:00 pm (ET) in the United States.[1]

The series was developed for television by Michelle Ashford and is based on the biography by Thomas Maier. Masters of Sex tells the story of Dr. William Masters (Michael Sheen) and Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan), two pioneering researchers of human sexuality at Washington University in St. Louis. The third season takes place between 1965 and 1968.[1]

Cast

Main

Guests

Production

The series was renewed for a 12-episode third season on August 20, 2014, by Showtime.[2] In March 2015, Allison Janney confirmed she would return for the third season in a multi-episode arc,[3] and Beau Bridges was also confirmed to be returning by series developer Michelle Ashford.[4] Series regular Teddy Sears, who portrays Austin Langham, returned in a recurring role for the third season.[5] In April 2015, it was reported that Maggie Grace would guest star in an episode, playing a gynecologist.[6] Isabelle Fuhrman was cast in a recurring role, playing Virginia's daughter, Tessa; Fuhrman took over the role from Kayla Madison, who played the character for the first two seasons.[7] In May 2015, several recurring roles were announced, including Josh Charles, Tate Donovan, Julie Ann Emery,[8] [9] and that Heléne Yorke would return as Jane Martin in a recurring role after only appearing once in season 2 due to Yorke's unavailability.[10] In June 2015, it was announced that Sarah Silverman would reprise her role as Helen for a multi-episode arc in season 3.[11] In July 2015, it was announced that Emily Kinney was cast in a recurring role as Nora.[12]

The season premiere was released online on YouTube and Showtime's official website on July 2, 2015. The episode, however, is censored for content, including strong language and nudity.[13]

Episodes

Reception

Critical response

The third season has received generally positive reviews from critics. It has a Metacritic score of 72 out of 100 based on 14 reviews.[14] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 77% approval rating among critics based on 26 reviews, with a rating average of 7.9 out of 10.[15] Verne Gay of Newsday wrote that the series "just gets better and better" and that it has "layered, intricate stories".[16] Robert Rorke of the New York Post praised the performances of Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan.[17]

Accolades

For the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, Allison Janney was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Masters of Sex, Ray Donovan Get Season 3 Premiere Dates. TVLine. Matt Webb. Mitovich. March 25, 2015. March 25, 2015.
  2. Web site: Showtime Renews Ray Donovan, Masters of Sex for Third Seasons. TVLine. Andy. Swift. August 20, 2014. August 20, 2014.
  3. Web site: Allison Janney Confirms Masters of Sex Season 3 Return. TVLine. Michael. Slezak. March 2, 2015. May 21, 2015.
  4. Web site: Spoiler Chat: Scoop on Empire, The Good Wife, The Affair and More!. E! Online. Kristin. Dos Santos. March 3, 2015. May 21, 2015.
  5. Web site: Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Leftovers, Masters of Sex, Flash, Bones, Castle, Grimm, Empire and More. TVLine. Michael. Ausiello. April 1, 2015. May 21, 2015.
  6. Web site: 'Lost' Alum Maggie Grace Checks Into 'Masters of Sex' (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Kate. Stanhope. April 22, 2015. May 21, 2015.
  7. Web site: Isabelle Fuhrman Joins ‘Masters Of Sex’. Deadline.com. Nellie. Andreeva. April 17, 2015. May 31, 2015.
  8. Web site: Josh Charles joins Masters of Sex in major role. Entertainment Weekly. James. Hibberd. May 5, 2015. May 21, 2015.
  9. Web site: 'Masters of Sex' Adds Tate Donovan and Julie Ann Emery. The Hollywood Reporter. Bryn Elise. Sandberg. May 20, 2015. May 21, 2015.
  10. Web site: Heléne Yorke Returns To ‘Masters Of Sex’. Deadline.com. Nellie. Andreeva. May 1, 2015. July 7, 2015.
  11. Web site: Sarah Silverman Returning to ‘Masters of Sex’. Variety. Whitney. Friedlander. June 24, 2015. June 25, 2015.
  12. Web site: Walking Dead star Emily Kinney heads to Masters of Sex. Entertainment Weekly. Natalie. Abrams. July 6, 2015. July 6, 2015.
  13. Web site: Watch the Season 3 Premieres of RAY DONOVAN, MASTERS OF SEX Early. Collider. Allison. Keene. July 2, 2015. July 3, 2015.
  14. Web site: Masters of Sex - Season 3 Reviews . Metacritic . July 12, 2015.
  15. Web site: Masters of Sex: Season 3. Rotten Tomatoes. July 14, 2015.
  16. Web site: 'Masters of Sex' season 3 review: It just keeps getting better . Newsday . Verne . Gay . July 10, 2015 . July 12, 2015.
  17. Web site: Best ‘Sex’ ever: Caplan & Sheen are ‘Masters’ of their domain . New York Post . Robert . Rorke . July 7, 2015 . July 12, 2015.
  18. Web site: Emmy Nominations 2016: Full List of Nominees. Variety. Laura. Prudom. July 14, 2016. July 14, 2016.