''Bliss'' is a

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

-produced, half-hour dramatic

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...

, produced by Montreal-based Galafilm and Toronto-based Back Alley Films, an

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors. In genre fiction, the term ''anthology'' typically categ ...

of women's erotica. The series ran from 2002 to 2004. The format of the show—short, sensual vignettes adapted for television—aired on

Oxygen Oxygen is the chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table, a highly reactive nonmetal, and an oxidizing agent that readily forms oxides with most elements as wel ...

in the United States (though heavily edited for American audiences) and

Showcase Showcase or vitrine may refer to: *Cabinet (furniture) *Display case Music * ''Showcase'' (Bill Anderson album), 1964 * ''Showcase'' (Patsy Cline album), 1961 * ''Showcase'' (Buddy Holly album), 1964 * ''Showcase'' (Philly Joe Jones album), 1959 ...

, TMN and

Movie Central Movie Central (occasionally abbreviated as "MC", mostly in program guides) was a Canadian English language Category A premium cable and satellite television channel that was owned by Corus Entertainment. Movie Central was designated to operate ...

in Canada. Reruns currently airing on US After Dark, and with Spanish dubbing on

Telelatino TLN (formerly Telelatino) is a Canadian English-language specialty channel owned by TLN Media Group. The channel primarily broadcasts lifestyle programming surrounding the Latin American and Italian cultures, including cooking and travel-related ...

Network (TLN) as ''Cuentos Prohibidos'' (Forbidden Tales) in Canada. The series is distributed by Oasis International in Toronto.

Plot

This Showcase Original Series explores erotic desires, passions and fantasies of women from a female perspective, with the episodes themselves directed and written by women.

Episode list

Season 1

1. Valentine's Day in Jail A woman (Tory Higginson) falls in love with an inmate (

Adam Beach Adam Beach (born November 11, 1972) is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his roles as Victor Joseph in ''Smoke Signals'', Frank Fencepost in ''Dance Me Outside'', Tommy on ''Walker, Texas Ranger'', Kickin' Wing in ''Joe Dirt'', U.S. Marine C ...

) after she is assigned by her company to commission an article written by him. 2. Six Days A rugged country housewife (Michèle Duquet) has a torrid affair with a hired ranch hand (

Callum Keith Rennie Callum Keith Rennie (born 14 September 1960) is a British-born Canadian actor who started his career in Canadian film and television projects, where his portrayal of Stanley Raymond Kowalski on the television series ''Due South'' was his first ...

) after her husband is hospitalized after an injury. 3. Guys and Dolls A business woman (Jennie Levine) meets a mysterious business man (

Peter Wingfield Dr Peter Wingfield (born 5 September 1962) is a Welsh-born television actor, well known for his television roles as Dan Clifford in '' Holby City'', Dr. Robert Helm in ''Queen of Swords'' and Inspector Simon Ross in ''Cold Squad'' but he is in ...

) at a bar with the intentions of a no strings attached sexual fling. Their relationship becomes too close for comfort when they realize they have more in common professionally than merely sexually. 4. The Value of X A soon to be high school graduate (

Tara Spencer-Nairn Tara Spencer-Nairn (born January 6, 1978) is a Canadian actress best known for her work on the television series ''Corner Gas''. Early life Spencer-Nairn was born on January 6, 1978 in Montreal, Quebec, but raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. ...

) experiments with sexuality and gender expression. 5. Voice A woman (Mikela J. Mikael) begins having paranormal experiences after being in a relationship with a married man (

David Lovgren David Lovgren (born November 4, 1969) is a Canadian actor. He had a recurring role in the espionage series ''Intelligence''. He graduated in theatre at Studio 58, Langara College in Vancouver and began acting at the age of 17. Lovgren appeare ...

). She becomes haunted by the apparition of his current wife. The tables are turned when she begins yearning for the touch of his wife than the actual arms of the married man she loves. 6. Leaper A struggling writer (Michelle Anne Lipper) weighed down with depression is attacked by a disturbed and helpless young girl. The writer is in shock as she meets the lover of the frightened girl (Poule Ducharme) unbeknownst to the writer at the time of meeting. The writer and the young girl's older lover engage in a lesbian's sexual encounter. 7. The Footpath of Pink Roses A young woman (

Karyn Dwyer Karyn Dwyer (born Karyn Elizabeth Dwyer; 22 March 1975 – 25 September 2018) was a Canadian actress, whose best known role was as Maggie in the 1999 film ''Better Than Chocolate''. Early life Dwyer was the oldest of five children, three sons ...

) who is into MMA-style self-defense is taken for a loop when her sexual desires take a turn for the primal. Her vanilla boyfriend (David Pauls) is conflicted about her desires after she asks him to "force" her to make love to him and suggests they forget it ever happened. She meets a handsome self-defense teacher (Maurizio Terrazzano) who helps her express her inner desires to be passionately ravaged by the man of her choosing. 8. In Praise of Drunkenness and Fornication Three couples meet up for a regular dinner party. The couples are each in different phases of life, age wise. There is jealousy that erupts as the older couples are envious of the younger couples. As the night continues the youngest couple leaves. The two older couples are left to drink and mull over hidden desires. The night ends with the two remaining couples switching partners for the evening. Starring

Gina Wilkinson Gina Wilkinson (March 10, 1960 – December 30, 2010) was a Canadian actress of stage, film, and television, as well as a playwright and stage director. Early life and education Wilkinson was born on March 10, 1960, in Victoria, Canada. Her fa ...

, Peggy Mahon and pop singer

Mitsou Mitsou Annie Marie Gélinas (born September 1, 1970, in Loretteville, Quebec) is a Canadian pop singer, businesswoman, television and radio host, and actress. She is credited as Mitsou Gélinas when acting, but records simply as Mitsou (the Fre ...

Season 2

1. Three A woman (

Jennifer Podemski Jennifer Podemski (born January 1, 1974) is a First Nations (Canadian) film and television actress and producer. Her acting credits include starring roles in the television series '' Tin Star'', ''The Rez'', '' Riverdale'', ''Moccasin Flats'', ...

) and her two close male friends all live together. They realize over discussing past relationships that maybe there is a reason for them not finding the "one" and that reason might very well be that they belong together, all three of them. 2. Nina's Muse A woman (

Thea Gill Thea may refer to: * Thea (name), a given name * Ancient Greek term for goddess, including an alternative spelling of Theia * ''Thea'', the former name of the tea plant genus, now included in ''Camellia'' * Thea, a village in the municipal unit Mes ...

) who only finds desire in monogamous love takes a turn for the wild side when she voyeuristically takes images of her male neighbor engaged in gay sex. 3. Cat Got Your Tongue A mature older woman (

Wendel Meldrum Wendy Anne "Wendel" Meldrum (July 21, 1954 – January 27, 2021) was a Canadian actress best known for her roles as the "low talker" in the 1993 ''Seinfeld'' episode "The Puffy Shirt", and as Miss White/Mrs. Heimer on ''The Wonder Years''. She g ...

) discovers her lust for younger men after encountering her son's hunky new friend Palo (Mark Taylor). Soon she realizes the desire is a very mutual thing between her and this vivacious young man. 4. The Marvellon An older lipstick lesbian (

Lynda Boyd Lynda Boyd (born January 28, 1965) is a Canadian actress, singer, dancer, musician, and writer. She is perhaps best known for her roles in the films ''Final Destination 2'' (2003), ''An Unfinished Life'' (2005), ''She's the Man'' (2006), and ''O ...

) meets a young butch drag king (

Laura Evans Laura Evans (born 27 August) is a Welsh actress and singer from Aberdare, best known for her role as Madison Square-Gardens in the popular BBC television children's show ''The Basil Brush Show'' and more currently known as a country blues si ...

) who turns her world upside down by pushing her to consider different forms of gender expression in sexual contexts. Also featuring

Liliana Komorowska Liliana Komorowska (born 11 April 1956) is a Polish actress and filmmaker. She has appeared in more than fifty films since 1964. Selected filmography References External links * * 1956 births Living people Actresses from Gdańsk Po ...

. 5. Chastity A soon to be nun (

Cara Pifko Cara Pifko (born March 15, 1976) is a Canadian actress known primarily for her work on television shows produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Life and career Pifko was born in Toronto, Ontario. A graduate of the National Theatre Sch ...

) about to take her final vows begins have doubts if she can follow the vow of chastity when she expresses her feelings for her close male friend (Andrew Tarbet). 6. Office Management An older business woman (

Rachel Hayward Rachel Hayward (born August 7, 1968) is a Canadian actress. She began pursuing a serious acting career in her early twenties. As a child and teen, Hayward was involved in modeling and commercials but always thought she would become a doctor. S ...

) disillusioned with romance begins a sexual relationship with a hopelessly romantic younger man (David Cook). 7. The Piano Tuner A lonely neglected piano playing housewife (Shannon Lawson) has a chance encounter with a handsome blind piano tuner ( Alan van Sprang). 8. Aural Sex A recently jobless woman (Raven Dauda) becomes enthralled with her boyfriend's (

Danny Gilmore Danny Gilmore (born December 23, 1973) is a Canadian actor, who is best known for his role as Vallier in John Greyson's ''Lilies'' (1996), for which he received a Genie Award nomination for Best Actor at the 17th Genie Awards. He has also appear ...

) erotic radio show. Little does he know she had a hand in writing the scandalous BDSM oriented material he reads week after week and plans on making fantasy become reality in their very own bedroom.

Season 3

1. Tango A recently jobless woman (Larissa Gomes) moves into a new town in hope of better work after ending an affair with her married boss and ends up meeting a charming but presumptuous man (Victor Gomez) who she assumes is married. Passions flare as she fights against getting seduced by yet another married man. 2. Penelope and Her Suitors Penelope (

Stephanie Morgenstern Stephanie Morgenstern is a Canadian actress, filmmaker, and screenwriter for television and film. She has worked extensively on stage, film, and television in both English and French. Her most widely seen feature film credits have been '' The S ...

) is a woman that prefers solitude. However, everyone around her thinks she should date or date them. For some reason men are drawn to Penelope and she begins a brief fling with the cable guy (

Sebastian Spence Sebastian Spence (born December 9, 1969) is a Canadian actor. He played the lead role of Cade Foster in the Space Channel science fiction television series, '' First Wave'' (1998–2001).Science Fiction Television Series, 1990–2004: Histories, ...

). This does not lead Penelope to settle down but to consider men as potential sexual partners and maybe more. 3. Tying Up Gerald A man with a secret BDSM kink of being submissive (

) sees a professional

dominatrix A dominatrix (; ) or femdom is a woman who takes the dominant role in BDSM activities. A dominatrix can be of any sexual orientation, but this does not necessarily limit the genders of her submissive partners. Dominatrices are known for inflic ...

(Katya Gardner) behind his wife's (Shary Guthrie) back fearing she wouldn't understand his desires. To save her marriage she is taken under the wing of her husband's dominatrix where she learns the art of sexual dominance and the erotic appeal of being sexually submissive. 4. Badness Two strait-laced lawyers (

Zoie Palmer Zoie Palmer is a Canadian actress best known for her roles as Dr. Lauren Lewis in the Showcase supernatural drama ''Lost Girl'' and as the Android in the SyFy science fiction series ''Dark Matter''. Early life Palmer was born in Camborne in Cor ...

and

Andrew Airlie Andrew Airlie (born September 18, 1961) is a Scottish-born Canadian actor. Early life Airlie was born in Glasgow, Scotland on September 18, 1961. Career He has starred in television series including ''Breaker High'' and his TV credits include g ...

) face off in a battle of temptation. 5. Amazon A strong masculine woman (Jessica Greco) meets her match in a fellow hockey player (

James Gallanders James Gallanders (born February 9, 1970) is a Canadian actor. He studied at York University's Faculty of Fine Arts. Career Born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, Gallanders began appearing on several television series before receiving his first r ...

) . The struggle begins when he realizes she is set on not conforming to traditional feminine behavior just so he will date her. 6. The Arrangement A strong intelligent Indian astrophysicist (Pamela Sinha) goings on a date with man (

Cas Anvar Cas Anvar ( fa, کاس انور; born 15 March 1966) is a Canadian actor and writer known for the SyFy/Amazon Prime Video science fiction television series ''The Expanse''. Early life Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, to Iranian parents and raised i ...

) who was arranged by her parents to be her future husband. Little does he know that the old way of doing things is far from what she is interested in. She also underestimates his ability to be adaptable to new ideas and experiences outside of old traditional ways. 7. Les Petits Mots A DJ (

Patricia McKenzie Patricia McKenzie (born 1987) is a Canadian actress, producer, dancer and singer. Career Patricia is best known as an actress for her role in '' Cosmopolis'' and on television as Reena in ''Charlie Jade'' and Jenn in '' Naked Josh''. On stage ...

) and a book store owner (Michel Francoeur) clash over ideology, new technology vs the old way of doing things. The only thing more stimulating than their debates is their fiery passion for each other. 8. Steph's Life For her sociology project, Steph (

Robin Brûlé Robin Brûlé is a Canadian actress, who is best known for her role as Susan Hunter in the ''Roxy Hunter ''Roxy Hunter'' is a fictional character played by Aria Wallace in four television films for Nickelodeon in the United States: ''Roxy Hunter ...

) installs a video camera that is hooked up to a website where her kitchen is streaming online 24/7 for the duration of her project. Her boyfriend (

Allan Hawco Allan Hawco is a Canadian writer, actor, and producer from Bell Island, Newfoundland. He is best known for his roles in the series ''Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan'', ''Republic of Doyle'', and '' The Book of Negroes'', and the television limited series ...

) points out she has a very basic daily routine and that the people who watch her must find it soothing. Despite his approval of her predictable behavior she challenges it by sexualizing her cam show beginning with a kiss between them, following by a sensual strip tease. All of this is easily seen by hundreds of anonymous eyes via the internet.

Home media

MTI Home Video MTI Home Video is a United States-based movie distributor in the direct-to-video market. MTI most often purchases the distribution rights to independent films and televised films that did not see a theatrical run in the U.S., for direct release to ...

has released all three seasons on DVD in Region 1.

External links

* {{Showcase programming (Canada) 2000s Canadian drama television series 2002 Canadian television series debuts 2004 Canadian television series endings Canadian romance television series Erotic television series LGBT erotica Showcase (Canadian TV channel) original programming Television series by Bell Media Television series by Corus Entertainment Crave original programming Television shows filmed in Toronto Television series by Entertainment One 2000s Canadian LGBT-related drama television series