A Bunch of Fan Favorites Aren’t Returning For Sex Education Season 4

You can stop worrying about that Sex Education cliff-hanger because season 4 is officially happening. On September 25, 2021, Ncuti Gatwa and Kedar Williams-Stirling kicked off the big announcement during Netflix’s massive Tudum fan event. 

Honestly, season 3 left the entire Sex Education crew in a moment of major upheaval. Maeve (Emma Mackey) is off to America to further her education, leaving Otis (Asa Butterfield) relatively single once again. That’s okay, though, because his best friend, Eric (Gatwa), is in a similar boat after breaking things off with Adam (Connor Swindells), which I’m still personally devastated about. But hey, maybe something might be brewing between Adam and Rahim (Sami Outalbali)? If so, that may be short-lived considering Moordale Secondary School has officially been sold, leaving everyone to finish their final year of school elsewhere.

Oh, and how can we forget? Dr. Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson) has just read the paternity report for new baby Joy…and things aren’t looking so great for Jakob (Mikael Persbrandt). 

Here’s everything we know about Sex Education season 4 so far:

Who do we know is returning? Based on the first announcement, it would be surprising if Gatwa and Williams-Stirling did not reprise their roles as Eric Effiong and Jackson Marchetti, along with most of the other main players like Butterfield. 

Who isn’t returning? Unfortunately, we will be saying goodbye to a bunch of fan favorites. Back in April 2022, Bridgerton star Simone Ashley—who played “The Untouchables” member Olivia Hanan—confirmed she is not returning for season 4 of Sex Education. “I get asked that all the time,” Ashley told ITV’s This Morning. “No, I’m a Bridgerton girl now.”

The hits just kept coming from there. Patricia Allison, who portrayed Ola for the show’s first three seasons, also announced her departure in July. “I absolutely have loved being on Sex Education so, so much and playing Ola,” Allison told Captial Xtra. “But unfortunately, I won’t be joining the team for season four. I’m going to be doing some other little things.””