BONDiNG: Rightor Doyle Explores BDSM, Friendship, and the True Nature of Power Through Queer & Feminine Voices on Netflix

In a bold and refreshing take on themes of identity, power, and human connection, acclaimed creator Rightor Doyle brings his unique vision to Netflix with the new series BONDiNG. Premiering on April 24, this BDSM-themed comedy delves far deeper than its provocative premise suggests, offering a vibrant and insightful exploration of liberation through vulnerability. Doyle, known for his compelling work on shows like Barry and You’re The Worst, crafts a narrative that celebrates authentic friendships, challenges rigid societal norms, and ultimately redefines what it truly means to possess and relinquish power.

At its heart, BONDiNG introduces viewers to the unlikely yet profound friendship between Pete (played by Brendan Scannell) and Tiff (Zoe Levin). Pete, a recently out gay man navigating the complexities of his newfound sexuality and seeking to understand his place in the world, unexpectedly reconnects with Tiff, his former high school friend. To his surprise, he discovers her secret life as one of New York City’s most sought-after dominatrixes. This intriguing setup lays the groundwork for a series that, as Doyle exclusively revealed to HollywoodLife.com, is fundamentally about the intricate dance of friendship, an insightful examination of power’s often-invisible constraints, and the profound joy that can be found when one bravely relinquishes the need to be the “most powerful person in the room.”

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind BONDiNG‘s Unique Narrative and Creative Vision

The genesis of BONDiNG is firmly rooted in Rightor Doyle’s personal experiences, offering an authentic and deeply human foundation for its fictionalized world. Doyle recounted his early days in New York City, a time of self-discovery and new encounters, where a friend secretly worked as a dominatrix. “I moved to New York City,” Rightor shared, “and I knew a girl who had secretly become a dominatrix and she needed essentially a bodyguard/assistant, someone to come with her. I guess the other word would be a ‘witness,’ in many circumstances, because [being a domme is] not totally a safe thing to do. So, I did that with her.” While the series takes a “very far left turn” from these specific events, becoming a highly fictionalized story, the core idea — exploring the BDSM world through a lens of witness, support, and profound human connection — originates directly from these formative real-life encounters. This unique, empathetic perspective allows BONDiNG to explore the often-misunderstood facets of BDSM with an unusual degree of emotional intelligence and narrative nuance, moving beyond sensationalism to explore the human condition.

Doyle intentionally designed BONDiNG to defy conventional expectations associated with BDSM-themed content. He aimed to “take the tropes of what this particular type of young, recently out gay kid in New York City could be in the tropes of this sort of what you think a hardened dominatrix would be like and sort of flips them around.” This means that Pete is not merely a sidekick to Tiff’s more ‘exciting’ life but embarks on his own significant journey of self-acceptance and understanding, while Tiff is portrayed not as a one-dimensional, hardened professional, but as a complex grad student grappling with the realities of her dual existence. Instead of a gritty, dark, or exploitative portrayal, the show embraces a “very colorful and vibrant” aesthetic, bursting with life and unexpected humor. This visual and tonal choice was deliberate, serving to counteract the common, often negative, perception of BDSM as inherently bleak, illicit, or “down and out.” By infusing the series with brightness, wit, and genuine warmth, Doyle wanted to ensure that audiences recognized BONDiNG for what it truly is: a heartfelt story about deep friendship, the struggle with shame, and the universal human desire to shed secrets and embrace one’s authentic self. The BDSM world, in this context, becomes less about the act itself and more about a unique, often liberating, framework for navigating personal liberation, self-discovery, and profound interpersonal bonds.

Beyond Taboo: BDSM as a Metaphor for Universal Shame and Acceptance

A central tenet of Rightor Doyle’s philosophy for BONDiNG is the idea that the seemingly “unacceptable” or taboo aspects of BDSM can serve as a powerful metaphor for the universal human experience of shame, judgment, and the pursuit of acceptance. “I talk about this a lot,” he explained, “but essentially that I’m a judgmental person. We’re all very judgmental people inherently, and when you hear the word dominatrix or when you hear BDSM … socially, those aren’t acceptable things.” Doyle’s innovative approach is to take these deeply ingrained societal taboos and relate them directly to the everyday struggles, vulnerabilities, and aspirations of every character, and by extension, every viewer. This allows the show to bridge the perceived gap between niche subcultures and mainstream human experiences, fostering a deeper understanding, challenging preconceived notions, and cultivating greater empathy among its audience.

Through Tiff’s intricately balanced double life as both a diligent grad student and a commanding dominatrix, and Pete’s poignant journey of self-acceptance as an openly gay man, BONDiNG illuminates the diverse and often challenging paths individuals take towards personal freedom. It explores how these characters, and indeed all people, grapple with hidden desires, secret lives, and the internal battles against shame – be it sexual shame, identity-based shame, or the shame of simply not conforming to societal expectations. The BDSM environment, in the series, provides a unique and structured backdrop where conventional power dynamics are inverted, allowing characters to confront their deepest vulnerabilities, fears, and desires in a controlled, often therapeutic, manner. It subtly suggests that perhaps the most profound and lasting liberation comes not from suppressing or hiding these facets of oneself, but from acknowledging, exploring, and ultimately accepting all parts of one’s identity, regardless of external societal approval or judgment.

The Enduring Power of Friendship and Unconventional Love

While the series adeptly explores individual growth and personal journeys, the enduring and complex friendship between Tiff and Pete forms the undisputed emotional backbone of BONDiNG. Rightor Doyle emphasized his deep personal connection to such profound intergender friendships, recalling, “Women were always a very safe place for me even when I wasn’t out. They’ve always been my very best friends, and on numerous occasions, I would say that many of the loves of my life are women, and it’s a strange world to navigate.” This deeply personal insight infuses the show’s portrayal of Pete and Tiff’s bond with an undeniable authenticity and emotional depth, highlighting a type of connection often overlooked in mainstream media.

Doyle initially hesitated to explicitly label these profound non-sexual relationships, which transcend mere platonic acquaintance, but ultimately concluded that they are, unequivocally, a form of love. “I love labels, actually. Labels are like ropes — you get tied up and freed. Like ‘gay,’ the word ‘gay’ freed me, you know?” he mused, acknowledging the dual nature of labels to both define and liberate. He confidently stated that such friendships, rich in emotional intimacy and unwavering support, should be recognized and celebrated for what they truly are: love. “In many ways,” he continued, “the only thing that separates us from being together is the lack of sexuality between the two of us, and it’s something that I think about and look at in my own work a lot, because it is romantic, and it is love.” This expansive perspective challenges conventional, often narrow, definitions of romantic love, advocating for a broader understanding that encompasses deep emotional connection and unwavering support, irrespective of sexual desire. The show subtly argues that true intimacy can transcend traditional boundaries, celebrating the rich and diverse tapestry of human affection and demonstrating how these profound bonds can be just as powerful, if not more so, than those traditionally deemed “romantic.”

Deconstructing Power: From Dominance to Self-Discovery and Liberation

One of the most compelling and insightful aspects of BONDiNG is its nuanced deconstruction of power—how it’s wielded, perceived, desired, and ultimately, surrendered. The series brilliantly showcases that the BDSM world is far from monolithic; instead, the motivations of its participants are as diverse and complex as humanity itself. A particularly fascinating scene involves Tiff visiting Andy (Eric Berryman) on behalf of his wife, Daphne (D’Arcy Carden). This moment powerfully illustrates that not all clients seeking BDSM services are male, nor are their reasons solely about personal sexual gratification. “Everyone has their journey,” Rightor noted. He found it “super interesting because there are women who particularly who go to a dominatrix to say like, ‘I need you to do this thing for my husband because I don’t want to do it. I love our marriage and this is the one thing that is troubling us.’”

Doyle acknowledges, with insightful realism, that such complex scenarios are rarely as simple as they initially appear. “And it’s never the one thing that’s troubling them,” he clarified, “but it’s the idea of, ‘If I get rid of this, I can get rid of it by having him do it.’ And that’s obviously not the case.” This insight underscores a recurring and deeply human theme in BONDiNG: the pervasive tendency to seek quick fixes or external solutions for deeper, more systemic issues, often through what might be perceived as “dark avenues” in the desperate hopes of fulfilling essential psychological or emotional needs. The show gently probes these intricate psychological landscapes, revealing the profound emotional undercurrents, unexpressed desires, and often unconscious drives that compel individuals to explore unconventional outlets for connection, release, and self-understanding.

While his dominatrix friend shared various anecdotes of female clients, Doyle’s personal experience primarily involved male clients. What struck him most profoundly was the specific demographic and characteristics of these men. “It’s funny,” he reflected, “all of them were men, but most of which were very powerful men that had made a lot of money that wanted to be either humiliated or stripped of their power.” This observation was a profound revelation for the young Rightor Doyle. At 22, actively aspiring to wealth, influence, and societal power himself, witnessing individuals who possessed these very attributes actively seeking to be stripped of them in specific, often humiliating ways, was profoundly “shocking” and contradictory to his prevailing worldview. This eye-opening experience significantly shaped his understanding of power—not as an ultimate, unalloyed goal, but as a potential burden, a heavy mantle of responsibility and expectation, and revealed the complex human need for its temporary or even permanent relinquishment.

This insight led Doyle to a deeply personal epiphany about the true nature of power and liberation in his own life. He recounts experiencing his own “stripping of power” when he came out as gay. “A big part of that is that the structure that we built this society on, this patriarchal structure where men can’t cry, and men can’t do this and men can’t do that, the thing that freed me the most in my life was losing my privilege as a straight, white man. By coming out of the closet and saying, ‘I’m gay,’ I released myself of the burden of having to be this prototypical male who’s supposed to be powerful and resilient, all the things that I think that women actually are.” This powerful personal narrative directly underscores the show’s overarching message: that true strength and authentic liberation often lie not in adhering to rigid societal expectations, but in embracing vulnerability, honesty, and self-acceptance, thereby challenging the rigid, often damaging, constructs of traditional masculinity and power.

Embracing Queer and Feminine Voices for True Empowerment and Redefined Strength

The journey depicted in BONDiNG, and indeed Rightor Doyle’s own life, culminates in a powerful and unapologetic celebration of “feminine and queer” voices and perspectives. Doyle eloquently stated, “I think everyone’s a little queer, and everyone’s a little feminine, and looking toward queer and feminine as positives was a big part of the journey of [BONDiNG].” This perspective actively reclaims these terms, moving them from marginalized or stigmatized categories to profound sources of strength, resilience, and unique insight. By challenging the deeply ingrained heteronormative and patriarchal frameworks that often define societal power structures and dictate acceptable behavior, BONDiNG champions an alternative vision where vulnerability, empathy, emotional intelligence, and non-conformity are not weaknesses to be hidden, but rather profound strengths to be embraced and celebrated. It suggests that a more fluid, inclusive understanding of gender and sexuality can unlock a more authentic and empowering way of being.

Ultimately, the series advocates for a radical yet accessible shift in how we perceive and pursue power in our lives. Doyle’s conclusion is both simple and profoundly impactful: “Actually, the most powerful thing that you can have is to release yourself of the idea that you should be the most powerful person in the room.” This transformative message resonates deeply throughout Pete and Tiff’s narrative, illustrating how shedding limiting societal expectations and courageously embracing one’s authentic self — with all its quirks, desires, and vulnerabilities — leads not to weakness, but to a genuine and lasting sense of empowerment, inner peace, and profound freedom. BONDiNG is far more than just a show about BDSM; it’s a compelling narrative about self-discovery, challenging perceptions, fostering deep connection, and finding liberation in the most unexpected and courageous of places.

Don’t miss BONDiNG when it arrives on Netflix, ready to offer a fresh, vibrant, and thought-provoking perspective on human connection and the complex interplay of power and intimacy, starting April 24.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.