As open relationships gain prominence in major TV shows, we must question whether these portrayals are fair and accurate. Interest in open relationships is rising, with Google searches for “ethical non-monogamy” increasing by 400 percent over the past five years. More people are exploring these relationships, with Feeld’s 2025 report revealing a third of heterosexual men and 11 percent of women in the UK open to multiple long-term partners.
Pop culture is reflecting this trend, from HBO’s “Industry” to memoirs and Lily Allen’s “West End Girl” album. Such portrayals, however, may not always depict ethical non-monogamy accurately. Experts like Leanne Yau critique interpretations like Allen’s album for fueling stigma around polyamory without enough positive representation to counterbalance.
Similarly, Madalaine Munro argues that the need to entertain often leads to sensationalized portrayals that don’t reflect the love, trust, and communication essential to healthy non-monogamous relationships. These depictions, focused on betrayal and conflict, perpetuate false associations and stigmas around non-monogamy.
Books and memoirs are doing a better job at representation. Authors like Cassie Werber and Roxy Dunn bring more realism to open relationships in their works. Diverse and accurate representations are crucial, as misleading portrayals can hinder understanding and exploration of ethical non-monogamy.