The beloved show ended last year, so let’s check in to see what our faves have gotten up to since
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY NETFLIX
Sex Education ran for 32 episodes and four seasons. It’s diverse cast and storylines opened up many important dialogues at home. Last year it’s queer AF final season aired and ever since the end credits rolled, we’ve had a Sex Education shaped hole in our lives. So, if like me, you’re looking to attempt to fill the gap, join me in taking a peek at what our faves have been up to since…
Asa Butterfield (Otis Milburn)
Otis was our eyes into the wonderful world of all the lives of the students of Moordale Secondary School. Through his pursuit to become the student’s sex therapist, we learn about his peers’ sex lives and personalities.
Before taking on the role, Asa had already had a long list of acting credits including films such as Hugo, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. Since saying goodbye to Sex Education he has starred in Your Christmas Or Mine 2 and voiced Icarus in the Hades II video game. The 27-year-old actor has a few pre- and post-production projects, and more details await release. But you’ll certainly be seeing more of him on your screens soon.
Ncuti Gatwa (Eric Effiong)
Eric was undeniably one of my favourite characters on the show. He allowed audiences to see healthy platonic loving relationships between boys. It was also beautiful to see his journey to balancing his faith and culture with his identity as an out-and-proud gay man.
Like his co-stars Emma Mackey and Connor Swindells, Ncuti has previously joined the cast of Greta Gerwig’s iconic Barbie film. And since saying goodbye to Eric’s fabulous wardrobe, Ncuti has become the latest timelord in Doctor Who. It’s been great to see his take on the beloved character. We can of course see him at the end of this year for the Christmas specials.
Gillian Anderson (Jean Milburn)
Gillian’s portrayal of Otis’ mother and professional sex therapist was truly amazing. The gay icon has been credited as being a lesbian/sapphic awakening for many a DIVA for her roles over the years, and now a whole new generation of audiences got to experience her magic. Before taking on the role, she truly had too many acting credits to list but some highlights are: Netflix’s The Crown, The X Files, Hannibal and The Great.
Since saying farewell to Sex Education, she portrayed Emily Maitlis in Scoop which explores how BBC Newsnight obtained the bombshell interview with Prince Andrew about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
In good news, Gillain has at least five projects in the works at various stages of productions so you’ll be seeing more of the gay icon soon.
Emma Mackey (Maeve Wiley)
We loved Emma’s portrayal of Maeve who was Otis’ love interest and so much more. She had a very emotional arc throughout the show and is a fan favourite for many. I particularly loved her relationship with BFF Aimee Gibbs.
Emma’s acting credits include Death On The Niles, Barbie as well as portraying Emily Brontë in the 2022 film Emily. While we haven’t seen enough of her on our screen, yet, she’s set to play Sofia in Hot Milk and the titular character in Ella McCay.
Connor Swindells (Adam Groff)
Adam became an unexpected fan favourite. His journey from reformed bully to bisexual softy was a delight to watch. Connor’s acting credits include the likes of Barbie, Vigil, Emma and Jamestown.
Since the end of Sex Education, he has starred alongside Gillian Anderson in Scoop and was cast in The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin and SAS Rogue Heroes. He also has three upcoming projects in the works, with one titled William Tell set to release before the end of this year.
Tanya Reynolds (Lily Iglehart)
Tanya brought wonderful WLW visibility to the show through her relationship with Ola (Patricia Allison). She also was a fan favourite for anyone who has ever felt like a misunderstood outsider. They were both sorely missed in the show’s final chapter.
But we’ve thankfully seen lots of Tanya on our screen since left the show. She starred alongside bisexual icon Michelle de Swarte in The Baby. She has also appeared in numerous short films.
This year we’ve also seen her portray Gwynn in the mini series On The Edge, Porcupine in Harold And The Purple Crayon and Licisca in Netflix’s new queer show The Decameron.
Patricia Allison (Ola Nyman)
Like her onscreen GF, Patricia left the show before the fourth and final season. I loved watching Ola’s relationships, particularly with Lily and her friendship with Adam. Like many, I was devasted when I found out she would not be reprising the role.
Thankfully she’s been a part of some wonderful projects such as His Dark Materials, Extraordinary and Paradise. Even better, she has two upcoming projects in the works titled By The Throat and Recursive Dreams. We need more of Patricia on our screens!
Dua Saleh (Cal Bowman)
Musician Dua Saleh joined the cast for the show’s third season – which was also their acting debut – and added some much-needed trans and non-binary rep to the world of Moordale. Cal’s arc in the final season was deeply moving and resonated with many trans folks and loved ones of trans folks around the world.
While they haven’t taken on any more acting projects since they’ve released three singles so far this year titled, uruly, want and time & time again.
Aimee Lou Wood (Aimee Gibbs)
It was great to see Aimee step into her power throughout the series on the show. Through her character the show got to explore many topics such as consent and female solidarity. Since saying goodbye to the lovable character, Aimee has starred alongside Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan in the 2023 film Seize Them! and most recently played the leading role in the new TV series Daddy Issues. She also has three upcoming projects in the works including the next season of White Lotus which will be released next year.
Kedar Williams-Stirling (Jackson Marchetti)
Jackson’s journey on the show allowed Sex Education to explore lots of different topics. From men’s mental health to same-sex parents and the struggles that come with dating when you’re non-binary from when Jackson started to have feelings for Cal.
Kedar has a range of impressive acting credits and has featured in shows Small Axe, Roots and Death In Paradise. However, he’s yet to appear on our screens since the show came to an end. We all need more of Kedar on our screens STAT.
Anthony Lexa (Abbi Montgomery)
Like Dua, Anthony is a musician and Sex Education was her first acting role. And what a fabulous debut! She portrayed one-half of the T4T (trans-for-trans) power couple that was Abbi and Roman. It was my first time seeing T4T love and sex onscreen and it made me realise how desperately we need more T4T couples onscreen! Give us a T4T Christmas romcom PLEASE!?
Last year Anthony released four new must-listen tracks. If you’re not already following her on Spotify, what are you doing!?
She also uses her platform to raise awareness on trans issues, and at this year’s Just Like Us Awards, she shared her inspiring story of what it was like growing up trans and finding community. She has also recently been transparent about her struggle with topical steroid withdrawal. All of us at Team DIVA are sending Anthony lots of love on her healing journey.
Felix Mufti (Roman)
Felix is a self described “scouse glam camp vamp bratz dolls” and we loved the representation he brought to our screens as Roman. Like his onscreen GF, Felix is a musician and Sex Education was his acting debut. While we haven’t seen more of the artist on our screens, this year Felix released the single Real Hot n Naughty. Keep your eyes peeled for more from Felix soon!
Alexandra James (Aisha Green)
Like Felix and Anthony, Alexandra was a new addition to the cast for season four. However, her acting debut was in the 2021 TV series The Break. Alexandra is a deaf and openly queer actor. On top of this representation she was in a polyamorous relationship on the show.
Fans can also look forward to seeing her portray Lela in the upcoming short film The Letter which is currently in production.
Thaddea Graham (Sarah Owen)
A huge part of Sex Education’s finale was the on campus rivalry between Sarah aka “O” and Otis as they competed to be on campus sex therapists. Asexual activist and model Yasmin Benoit helped to create the character for the screen.
Since the series came to an end, we’ve seen Thaddea play Vivian in Wreck. She also has two upcoming projects in the works which are both in post-production. We can’t wait to find out more about what the actor has been getting up to.
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