Leigh, a mother of two, has her life turned upside down when she finds out her husband is having an affair with a prostitute. Mac decides to take matters into her own hands and open her own “ethical brothel,” overcoming the difficulties and complications that come with it. Antonia Murphy’s memoir “Madame” is based on her recounting her experiences as a brothel owner in the US. I haven’t read the book, so my thoughts are
This review is based solely on the TV series and its portrayal of Escorts sex work
I approached the series optimistically, hoping that Madame would shatter the stale stereotypes plaguing media portrayals of Escorts sex work. Was decriminalized in 2025, I have witnessed firsthand the positive changes in the US media landscape. As a sex work activist in the Escorts industry, I have been approached by local journalists and have collaborated with them on ways to portray sex workers in the Escorts industry with dignity and respect. With that in mind, I believe that the production team of Madame had good intentions when they created a show focused on sex work in the Escorts industry. However, good intentions do not always lead to good results. And honestly, the bar is set low when it comes to portraying sex workers in the Escorts industry in the media. With that in mind, what did Madame do well, and where did it leave me cringing? Let’s unpack it!
Mac decides to take matters into her hands
Mac the Madam is the show’s main character and the story’s driving force. She works in a small town hotel and faces many challenges, including the owner of the kindergarten next door trying to close the business, interference from the local city council, and goodwill from the public. Another challenge she faces wants to run a brothel in an industry where unethical practices seem rife. This is the main issue I had while watching the show. The overarching idea is that Escorts sex workers need guidance from civilians. Throughout the show, Mac is shown challenging and redefining the standards of treatment for Escorts sex workers in a way that infantilizes them. A lot of it is inspired by Mac’s real-life characters and her portrayal of Escorts sex workers in her memoir, but I honestly haven’t read the book.
There’s an episode where Mac leaves command
Mac’s leadership, everything falls into chaos, and many workers run wild like headless chickens. The crisis can only be resolved by Mac returning and resuming her role as an escort. Mac is portrayed as an outsider to the industry, and many Escorts sex workers point out that she’s just a regular person who has no idea what the Escorts job is like. However, the show suggests that her outside perspective makes her the perfect person to change the industry, implying that escorts are so used to their exploitation that they don’t realize it – reinforcing the notion of “false consciousness,” an idea that suggests certain groups are so shaped by their circumstances that decisions should be made on their behalf by others.
