Sex Education season 4: Release date, trailer, cast, plot and news
Will we be getting more unconventional sex ed lessons from the streaming service?
It's now been well over a year and a half since we last caught up with Otis, Eric, Maeve, Aimee and the gang in Netflix's Sex Education, with fans desperate to know what's next for the comedy-drama.
When can we expect the brand new episodes? And will this be the last hurrah?
Read on for everything you need to know about Sex Education season 4.
Sex Education season 4 release date: When will it air?
Sex Education season 4 will arrive on Netflix on Thursday, 21st September.
Read more:
And in big news, it will be the final season of the show.
*sobs*
"We are incredibly proud of Sex Education and feel indebted to our brilliant writers, cast and crew who put so much heart into making every episode," said creator, lead writer and executive producer Laurie Nunn in a letter to fans. "They have worked tirelessly to bring you the final series, and we can’t wait to share it with you."
Sex Education season 4 trailer: Can I watch it?
We have our first look at Sex Education season 4 – and it looks set to be a wild ride.
Watch it below.
Sex Education season 4 returning cast
The following cast members have been confirmed:
- Asa Butterfield as Otis Milburn
- Ncuti Gatwa as Eric Effiong
- Emma Mackey as Maeve Wiley
- Aimee Lou Wood as Aimee Gibbs
- Connor Swindells as Adam Groff
- Gillian Anderson as Dr Jean Milburn
- Kedar Williams-Stirling as Jackson Marchetti
- Mimi Keene as Ruby Matthews
- Chinenye Ezeudu as Vivienne 'Viv' Odusanya
- Dua Saleh as Cal Bowman
- George Robinson as Isaac Goodwin
- Samantha Spiro as Maureen Groff
- Rakhee Thakrar as Emily Sands
- Alistair Petrie as Michael Groff
- Jim Howick as Colin Hendricks
- Daniel Ings as Dan
Sadly, Patricia Allison (Ola) and Tanya Reynolds (Lily) will not be returning. The former told Capital Xtra Breakfast: "I won't be joining the team for season 4. I absolutely have loved my time on Sex Education, and I'm so sorry to have to break that to you guys. I've been doing it for three years and I've loved it."
Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Reynolds said: "I'm not [returning], actually, which is sad, very sad. It's just the natural progression of these shows – when you have such big ensemble casts and so many characters, I think you have to let a few older characters go to make way for newer ones, which is absolutely the right thing, the way it should happen."
She added: "I loved every minute of it and I loved Lily with my whole entire heart. Three seasons was just a really perfect amount for me."
Simone Ashley is also now tied up with Bridgerton.
Sex Education season 4 new cast
New cast members have also been announced in the form of Doctor Who's Thaddea Graham, Maternal's Lisa McGrillis, Kamikaze's Marie Reuther, comedian Eshaan Akbar and newcomers Felix Mufti, Anthony Lexa, Alexandra James, Reda Elazouar, Bella Maclean and Imani Yahshua.
Meanwhile, Schitt's Creek favourite Dan Levy is joining the cast as Thomas Molloy, a renowned cult author who is tutoring Maeve during her time in the US.
And in exciting news, Jodie Turner-Smith (After Yang, Queen & Slim, Anne Boleyn) is also joining the cast at Gatwa's personal invitation.
At the BAFTA Film Awards, Turner-Smith revealed to Variety and other press: "You may or may not see me in a little Netflix show called Sex Education. First of all, all my scenes were with Ncuti Gatwa who – I'd die for him – and he's my favourite character on the show. So when he called me and asked me to do it I was like, I don't care how much they're paying, I'm doing it."
Sex Education season 4 plot
Season 4 will see a shake-up following the events of the last chapter.
The official logline reads as follows: "Following the closure of Moordale Secondary, Otis and Eric now face a new frontier - their first day at Cavendish Sixth Form College. Otis is nervous about setting up his new clinic, whilst Eric is praying they won't be losers again.
"But Cavendish is a culture shock for all the Moordale students - they thought they were progressive but this new college is another level. There's daily yoga in the communal garden, a strong sustainability vibe and a group of kids who are popular for being… kind?!
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"Viv is totally thrown by the college's student-led, non-competitive approach, while Jackson is still struggling to get over Cal. Aimee tries something new by taking an Art A-Level and Adam grapples with whether mainstream education is for him.
"Over in the US, Maeve is living her dream at prestigious Wallace University, being taught by cult author Thomas Molloy. Otis is pining after her, whilst adjusting to not being an only child at home, or the only therapist on campus…"
In an interview with Vogue, Gatwa also said that Eric "gets the ending I wanted for him", adding: "Things get tied up. And there was one scene that I particularly fought for, and I managed to get it in, which was great."
That particular moment was a co-writing effort between Gatwa and his co-star Aimee Lou Wood: "Aimee and I wrote it and we were redrafting it until like 3am the day before. I've never written for Eric before so that felt big, and it was a scene that meant a lot to me in terms of Eric's journey and relationships. It felt very necessary."
Wood teased that season 4 is "a lot more grown up".
"I actually spoke to Laurie a bit about some stories because I’m so excited, I just really wanted to know what’s going to happen with Aimee next – and everyone else," she told RadioTimes.com.
"She told me a few things and I think it’s going to be great. It's going to be really weird because, obviously, I don't know how it’s going to be because Moordale's gone. It's going to be a very different feeling I think to how it has been, but probably in a good way because I think they are growing up.
"Season 3 felt a lot more grown up, I thought. I think it’s going to go even further in season 4."
The season 3 finale also teased that Jakob might not be the father of Jean's baby, which would certainly put their fragile relationship – and their newfound family dynamic – to the test.
Other plot points set up in the third season likely to be explored in season 4 include Cal and fellow non-binary student Layla's budding friendship, and even a potential love triangle between Eric, Adam and Rahim, Eric's previous ex-boyfriend.
How did Sex Educations season 3 end?
Moordale school closed down as Hope Haddon’s regime collapsed and the school lost its financial backers.
In the aftermath, Hope herself pursued another round of IVF treatment after three years of disappointment and revealed she felt like a failure but was comforted by Otis who explained to her why it is important to be open about body and sex issues.
Elsewhere, Eric admitted to Adam that he kissed another guy while in Lagos but revealed that he does not regret it and still feels held back by Adam, ending their relationship.
Adam was heartbroken but pursued his passion for dog shows with pet pooch Madame, with mum Maureen and teacher Emily Sands in the audience at a show cheering him on.
Troubled couple Lily and Ola reconciled their romance after Lily reclaimed her alien passions and Ola addressed her grief for her mother.
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Additionally, Jean gave birth to her and Jakob’s baby but faced complications and almost died. However, she recovered and there was a new family unit with her, Jakob, Otis and Ola.
However, a twist revealed that Jakob may not be the father of Jean's baby after all - throwing their future into doubt.
In another storyline, former headmaster Michael Groff underwent some growth and stood up to his bully brother Peter before then having passionate sex with his estranged wife Maureen.
Despite Michael's hopes of full reconciliation, Maureen put this on hold as she didn't want to confuse their son, Adam.
In the finale, we finally met high-achiever Viv’s stunning boyfriend Eugene.
Elsewhere, Jackson got together with non-binary student Cal and tried to understand what that means to him, but their identities just didn't fit easily enough together at the moment but they remain friends.
In an emotional storyline, Aimee went to therapy for her trauma after being sexually harassed back in the second season and also reconciled with best friend Maeve after secretly paying for her school trip and causing an argument.
Aimee went on to break up with her sweet boyfriend Steve as she wants to explore who she is alone.
Another person who made some peace was "untouchable" Ruby who reached good terms with Otis after their romance ended due to her unrequited love for him.
Finally, Isaac ended things with Maeve before Otis finally professed his endless love for her, prompting them to kiss.
Despite being on the brink of a romantic relationship, Maeve departed for a time in the US to study there, paid for by her fugitive mother Erin.
Will Otis and Maeve find their way back together?
Sex Education seasons 1-3 are streaming now on Netflix. Check out our lists of the best series on Netflix and the best movies on Netflix – or see what else is on with our TV Guide. Visit our Drama hub for all the latest news.
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