Sex Education season 4: Release date speculation, plot, cast and news

Sex Education season 4: Release date speculation, plot, cast and news

Will we be getting more unconventional sex ed lessons from the streaming service?

The long-awaited third season of Netflix hit Sex Education arrived back in September, with fans immediately binge-watching all eight episodes and being left with the finale's major cliffhanger: what will happen now that Moordale has been closed?

Thankfully, we know the comedy-drama will be returning for season four, as Netflix announced during its TUDUM event that Sex Education had been renewed, with future Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa (Eric) and Kedar Williams-Stirling (Jackson) breaking the news.

While little has been said about next season, Aimee Lou Wood (who plays Aimee Gibbs in the Sex Education cast) recently told RadioTimes.com in an exclusive interview that the upcoming series will feel "a lot more grown up", before commenting on the future of the show.

"It's a bittersweet thing because even if it's not this series, it probably is closer now to ending than it is to the start," she said.

Read on for everything we know so far about Sex Education season four, when it might come out and what's in store for our favourite Moordale students.

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Sex Education season 4 release date speculation

Sex Education season 4 will be released in Autumn 2022 at the very earliest.

Netflix has renewed Sex Education for season four – which is handy as the cast and crew all seem keen on more comedic sexual escapades at Moordale High – or wherever they'll be studying next, considering the school is set to shut down after the events of the third series.

Creator Laurie Nunn had said previously that she was on board, telling The Hollywood Reporter. “I think these characters… they’ve got legs. I think I could do some more with them if we’re given the chance.”

The show's big-name star Gillian Anderson also seemed game to clear her schedule for another season, but pointed out that it's ultimately up to the executives at Netflix who, we are happy to say, saw sense.

“It has been discussed and I think, given how much people are enjoying it, I don’t see why it wouldn’t [continue], but things change," Anderson told Collider. "Things are changing at Netflix daily, as we speak. And so at the end of the day, it’s nobody’s call but those guys at the top.”

With the season officially confirmed, RadioTimes.com predicts Sex Education season four will be released in September 2022 at the very earliest.

Sex Education seems to have a reasonably rapid turnaround, as the second season was released almost exactly a year after the first in January 2020.

However, filming of season three was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and did not premiere until over 18 months later in September 2021.

COVID-19 restrictions permitting, Sex Education could hopefully return to a yearly release cycle – though the show's preference to shoot during the summer months may delay this somewhat.

Sex Education

Otis and Maeve will be back for more Sex Education Netflix

Star Aimee Lou Wood revealed back in June 2021 that she had already discussed season four storylines with the writers.

“I’m actually talking about a storyline for season four at the moment that I’m giving some feedback on," Lou Wood told RadioTimes.com and other press at a BAFTA Q&A.

She added: "I’d love to be in the writer’s room for [season four] – saying that here. But then again… I’d also like to just go home and learn my lines!”

It seems season three's delay may have given the writers more time to work on season four – so there's a good chance filming could begin shortly.

Read more: What Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor Who casting means for Sex Education

Sex Education season 4 cast

The following main cast members can be expected to return for Sex Education season 4.

Asa Butterfield as Otis Milburn

and Gillian Anderson as Dr Jean Milburn

Ncuti Gatwa as Eric Effiong

Emma Mackey as Maeve Wiley

Connor Swindells as Adam Groff

Kedar Williams-Stirling as Jackson Marchetti

Alistair Petrie as Michael Groff

Mimi Keene as Ruby Matthews

Aimee Lou Wood as Aimee Gibbs

Chaneil Kunar as Anwar

Tanya Reynolds as Lily Iglehart

Patricia Allison as Ola Nyman

Mikael Persbrandt as Jakob Nyman

Anne-Marie Duff as Erin Wiley

The Sex Education cast is quite expansive, and barring any surprise developments we expect them all to return for season four.

This of course includes Asa Butterfield as awkward teenage sex therapist Otis, screen legend Gillian Anderson as his frank mother Jean, a scene-stealing Ncuti Gatwa as his irrepressible best friend Eric and Emma Mackey as troubled social outcast Maeve.

Sex Education Season 3

Other actors likely to re-enroll at Moordale (should the school be saved) include Connor Swindells as reformed bully Adam, a BAFTA-winning Aimee Lou Wood as Aimee, Kedar Williams-Stirling as former jock Jackson and Alistair Petrie as the disgraced Mr Groff.

Sex Education does a great job of showcasing its supporting cast of course, so reappearances are likely for Tanya Reynolds as Lily, Mimi Keene as Ruby, Chaneil Kular as Anwar, Patricia Allison as Ola, Mikael Persbrandt as Lily's dad Jakob, Samantha Spiro as Adam's mum Maureen, Rakhee Thakrar as Miss Sands and Jim Howick as Mr Hendricks.

Simone Ashley is not expected to return as Untouchables member Olivia, due to her role as Kate Sharma in Bridgerton.

When quizzed on her Sex Education future, she told ITV's This Morning: "I get asked that all the time. No, I'm a Bridgerton girl now."

The cast list doesn't stop there, however. Sami Outalbali could be back as Eric's former boyfriend Rahim, Chinenye Ezeudu will likely return as overachiever Viv, while George Robinson may well reappear as Maeve's neighbour Isaac.

Sex Education

Sex Education Netflix

Season three's new additions will likely reprise their roles also, including Jason Isaacs as Mr Groff's brother Peter, Dua Saleh as non-binary student Cal and possibly even Jemima Kirke as strict headmistress Hope Haddon, but considering the conclusion of her story in the previous run, we somehow doubt it.

We may also see Otis' dad Remi (James Purefoy) pop up again, as well as Jackson's mothers Roz (Sharon Duncan-Brewster), and Sofia (Hannah Waddingham), who had a cameo in the third series.

It remains to be seen whether Maeve's family will return as they are largely absent from her life – though Anne Marie-Duff is a likely candidate after appearing in both seasons two and three.

Maeve's estranged brother Sean (Edward Bluemel) is a less likely prospect, as he has not been seen since season one.

“I have to wait and see really," Bluemel told RadioTimes.com. "It’s definitely something that has been talked about and I think, judging by people who have watched the show, I think it makes sense if he does return.”

“It’s an interesting one playing a character who’s entire schtick is that he’s never there, because you’re like, ‘Oh yes, I’ve been cast as this brilliant role,’ but his main thing is that he’s never, ever there, so it’s quite funny waiting.”

Sex Education season 4 new cast

It has also been confirmed that the Netflix hit comedy is seeking to cast two trans actors to play two trans characters in the upcoming episodes as the show confirms a move to college.

Series writer Krishna Istha wrote on Twitter: “CASTING CALL for two new trans characters in SEX EDUCATION Season 4. Trans actors get on it!!!”

The new characters include Abbi, a young trans woman “with a ’90s Winona Ryder vibe” who is “the queen bee of her college”, plus her boyfriend Kent who is trans-masculine and described as a “goofy, forgetful and a great listener”.

Sex Education season 4 plot

It seems that season four will see a bit of a shake-up for the show following the events of the last series. Moordale High is seemingly shutting down after investors pulled funding following the students' protest against headteacher Hope's new rules.

And though Maeve and Otis finally got together in the third series, Maeve ended up leaving for America before their relationship could get off the ground. We'll have to wait and see if season four sees them try out long-distance or picks up once Maeve is back in Moordale.

Sex Education star Aimee Lou Wood recently teased that season four will feel "a lot more grown up" than previous seasons, with the Aimee Gibbs actress telling RadioTimes.com in an exclusive interview that series creator Laurie Nunn told her a bit about the upcoming series.

"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 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 three felt a lot more grown up, I thought. I think it’s going to go even further in season four," she added.

The series three 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 series likely to be explored in season four 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?

Jemima Kirke as Hope in Sex Education season 3

Jemima Kirke as Hope in Sex Education season 3 Netflix

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.

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.

Sex Education Season 3.

Jean Milburn welcomed a new child in the finale Netflix

In an emotional storyline, Aimee went to therapy for her trauma after being sexuall