Sarah Shahi as Billie Connelly in 'Sex/Life' on Netflix.
This article contains spoilers.
In a recent interview, Sarah Shahi spoke about how much she relates to her character Billie Connelly in the Netflix drama Sex/Life.
The first season centered on the love triangle between Billie, her then-husband Cooper Connelly (Mike Vogel), and her former love Brad Simon (Adam Demos). This new six-episode season is about life after Billie’s marriage ends.
“It’s no secret that I’m divorced,” Shahi said, her voice cracking slightly. She admits how emotional the topic is for her. She has three children with her ex-husband and opens up about the parallels between her life and Billie’s.
“Relationships are hard. It’s a very tricky space to navigate,” she said. “The themes this season were definitely about hope and finding love again. Billie and Brad represent what many families look like these days. It’s also about timing. Sometimes people get together, and it doesn’t work out, but you end up circling back at another time in life when both people are exactly where they need to be. Sometimes people meet but are not ready for one another.”
This season, Billie gets everything she ever wanted. She finally ends up marrying Brad and tells him she’s pregnant at their wedding. In real life, Shahi found love with Demos, which goes along with one of the themes this season about second chances in love and starting over after a painful loss.
Though we do not always get the fairy tale in real life, series creator and executive producer Stacy Rukeyser explained that she wanted to give her characters a happily-ever-after this season. She also clarified that the road to happiness wouldn’t be easy. “It’s not a straight line. There’s damage and sacrifice along the way.”
Second chances in love is a theme that’s resonated with viewers. Since its March 2 premiere, season two had fans binge-watching en masse, with nearly 44 million hours viewed.
Shahi had a spiritual answer when asked for advice for viewers struggling with the gutting feeling of lost love. “No matter what situation I’m faced with, I trust the universe, trust the cosmos, that in one way or another, things are always conspiring in my favor.”
The perfectly-sculpted, immaculately-dressed Cooper is a self-destructive, heartbroken disaster this season, but back to that theme of hope, he comes out on the other side and finds love again.
Adam Demos and Sarah Shahi in 'Sex/Life' on Netflix.
For those experiencing this in real life, Shahi says it’s about understanding that people change and sometimes relationships end. “You just have to believe that one way or another, you will find love again. You have to put your emotional reactions aside and have those adult realizations that you did your best, and you’ll always be a family in some way because of the responsibility to your children.”
The Cooper and Billie storyline was very personal for Shahi. “It’s so sad. I think we get together with people for different reasons that feel right at the time. Sometimes, you have to learn when to let go. When Cooper thanked Billie for their time together and their children, I could cry right now talking about it. Look, at the end of the day, even if you get a divorce, you were still successful because you were something to one another for that time. You created a family and beautiful children together that nobody else could have. Love is about timing. The heart wants what it wants. There's no rhyme, reason, or rule book regarding love. This show represents how hard it is to live authentically and in your truth.”
This storyline is a perfect setup for a third season. What will Billie and Brad’s new blended family look like, and how will she co-parent with Cooper moving forward?
When asked if there was information on a third season, Shahi said she didn't know and added that it’s all up to the viewers. “We have the supply if they have the demand.”
