Sex Education (TV series) explained

Creator:Laurie Nunn
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Series:4
Num Episodes:32
Runtime:46–83 minutes
Company:Eleven Film
Network:Netflix

Sex Education is a British teen sex comedy drama television series created by Laurie Nunn for Netflix. It follows the lives of the teenagers and adults in the fictional town of Moordale as they contend with various personal dilemmas, often related to sexual intimacy. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Alistair Petrie, Mimi Keene, and Aimee Lou Wood.

The first series was released on Netflix on January 11, 2019. The second, third and fourth series followed in January 2020, September 2021 and September 2023, respectively. Sex Education has received critical acclaim for its performances, writing, directing, production value, and mature treatment of its themes.[1] The programme has been a viewership success, with over 40 million viewers streaming the first series after its debut. Wood won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for her role in the second series, and the third series won Best Comedy Series at the 50th International Emmy Awards.

Premise

Sex Education primarily follows Otis Milburn, a student at Moordale Secondary School. Otis begins the series ambivalent about sex, in part because his single mother, Jean Milburn, is a sex therapist who frequently has affairs with male suitors but does not maintain romantic relationships.

Other students at Moordale Secondary include Eric Effiong, Otis's best friend and the gay son of Ghanaian-Nigerian immigrants; Maeve Wiley, an intelligent and rebellious teen with a troubled family past; Adam Groff, headmaster Michael Groff's son who develops a bullying nature out of his own self-loathing; Jackson Marchetti, the head boy struggling to meet the high expectations set for him; Ruby Matthews, Anwar Bakshi, and Olivia Hanan, members of a popular clique known as "the Untouchables"; Aimee Gibbs, an Untouchable who secretly befriends Maeve; and Lily Iglehart, a writer of alien erotica determined to lose her virginity. The school is soon joined by Ola Nyman, whose widowed father, Jakob Nyman, begins a relationship with Jean. Otis's father, womaniser Remi Milburn, and Maeve's mother, drug addict Erin Wiley, later return to Moordale to reconnect with their children.

Plot outline

In the first series, Otis sets up a sex therapy clinic with Maeve to help the students of Moordale Secondary with their sexual problems.[2] [3] Their business becomes a success, but tension arises when Otis finds himself becoming attracted to Maeve.

In the second series, new students arrive at Moordale Secondary, including Ola, who becomes Otis's first girlfriend. Maeve struggles to confess her feelings for Otis, Eric helps his former bully Adam come to terms with his sexuality, and Jean becomes the school's resident sex therapist as a chlamydia outbreak highlights the teens' need for better sex education.[4]

In the third series, a new school year begins as Otis is having casual sex with Ruby while Eric and Adam are made official. Maeve works with English teacher Emily Sands to apply for an exchange program in America, Jean expects a baby in the near future, and new headmistress Hope Haddon's plans to revamp Moordale Secondary creates conflict with the students.

In the fourth series, the students adjust to the new term at Cavendish Sixth Form College after Moordale Secondary is shut down. Otis competes with a rival sex therapist on campus while juggling his long-distance relationship with Maeve, who begins her studies at the prestigious Wallace University in the United States.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Series 4 (2023)

Production

Development

On 28 November 2017, it was announced that Netflix had given the production a series order. The series was created by Laurie Nunn, with Ben Taylor expected to direct. Executive producers were set to include Jamie Campbell and Joel Wilson via their production company Eleven Film.[2] [7] On 4 December 2018, it was announced that the series would premiere on 11 January 2019.[8] On 1 February 2019, Netflix renewed the show for a second series which premiered on 17 January 2020.[9] On 10 February 2020, Netflix renewed the show for a third series.[10] As part of a video and letter to its shareholders in April 2021, Netflix's co-chief executive officer and chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, confirmed that the third series of Sex Education was expected to be released sometime in the second half of 2021.[11] On 24 June 2021, it was announced that the third series would premiere on 17 September 2021.[12] On 25 September 2021, eight days after the premiere of the third series, it was announced that Sex Education had been renewed for a fourth series.[13] On 5 July 2023, it was announced that the fourth season would be the last.[14]

Casting

On 17 May 2018, it was announced that Gillian Anderson, Emma Mackey, Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa, Connor Swindells, and Kedar Williams-Stirling had joined the show's main cast.[15] [16] [17] On 16 July 2018, it was reported that James Purefoy had been cast in a recurring role.[18] Dan Levy, Thaddea Graham, Lisa McGrillis and Eshaan Akbar joined the cast in series 4, while Simone Ashley, Tanya Reynolds and Patricia Allison did not return.[14]

Filming

Filming for the first series took place at several locations in the Wye Valley in both Wales and England, including Llandogo, Tintern, Symonds Yat, Monmouth, and Redbrook. Filming was also progressed in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan during 2018. The scenes set at Moordale Secondary School were filmed at the former campus of the University of South Wales in Caerleon, Newport.[19] [20] [21] Scenes set in the swimming pool were filmed at the Newport International Sports Village complex. Filming for the second series took place from May to September 2019, and included scenes filmed in the Forest of Dean.[22]

In February 2021 during filming for the third series, production visited several locations in Kent. Filming took place at Shorncliffe Military Cemetery in Sandgate and the Hawthorne Trench, which both double as WWI locations in France for Episode 5. Production also visited the Harbour Arm in Folkestone Harbour to film a scene for Episode 7.[23]

Setting and aesthetics

The setting of Sex Education appears to be modern-day Britain, in the fictional village of Moordale, with various elements that serve to place the show in an uncertain time and location. Modern technology, such as smartphones, exists, but the show features very few cars from after the 1990s, with most cars featured ranging from the 1970s to the 1990s. Police cars seen during the finale of series two appear to follow 1990s aesthetics rather than modern-day police cars. The show heavily features older technologies such as CRT televisions and dated household appliances. The décor of the Groffs' house is reminiscent of popular 1970s décor; Maeve's caravan is typical of the 1990s–2000s; and the Milburns' house is a more modern décor with a modern, "American-style" fridge. Moordale Secondary School shows some elements of UK secondary schools but also has a more American high school image. According to showrunner Laurie Nunn, the show's aesthetic is deliberate and an homage to the 1980s films of John Hughes.[24]

Release

On 2 January 2019, the official trailer for the series was released.[25]

Audience viewership

On 17 January 2019, Netflix announced that the series was on pace to have been streamed by over 40 million viewers within its first month of release.[26]

According to Netflix Top 10 global viewership, Sex Education was watched for over 447,750,000 hours between 12 September and 24 October 2021.[27]

Manga adaptation

On July 15, 2022, a manga adaptation illustrated by John Tarachine began serialization in Kadokawa Corporation's Comic Bridge online manga magazine.[28]

Reception

Critical response

Series 1

Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reports that 91% of 80 critic ratings were positive for the first series, with an average rating of 8.10/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Bawdy, heartfelt, and surprisingly wise, Sex Education is a raucous romp through a group of teenagers whose sexual misadventures are so thoughtfully rendered, adults could learn a thing or two from them."[29] Metacritic calculated a weighted average score of 79 out of 100 from 19 critics, indicating "generally favourable reviews".[30]

In a positive review, IndieWires Liz Shannon Miller gave the series a grade of "A−" saying, "Again, though, it's the kids' story, with the fluctuations in both friendships and relationships pinging back and forth with youthful verve. Sex Education does a lot of things really well, chief amongst them being the creation of a high school world which feels fully developed — realistic to a degree, but.. [with] a sense of escapism."[31] The Daily Mirrors Lewis Knight awarded it a rating of five out of five, noting that with "a talented ensemble and explicit tackling of sexuality in young people (and their parents)", it "is an hilariously honest and refreshingly diverse comedy".[32] The New York Timess James Poniewozik described the series as "timely but not hamfistedly topical, feminist, with a refreshing lack of angst about its subject. Sex, in this show, isn't an 'issue' or a problem or a titillating lure: It's an aspect of health".[33]

In a mixed assessment, The Washington Posts Hank Stuever wrote, "there's the usual problem of Netflix drift for an episode or two midway through, where the plot dawdles while the writers and producers figure out an ending. Yet there's an artfulness to the material and a genuine care on display here, too — a message that we are not just about the size and shape and inventive uses of our private parts".[34] In a negative review, The Independents Ed Power gave the series a rating of two out of five and criticised it, saying, "Sex Education suffers further for not being grounded in a distinctive time and place...Eager to please but confused, Sex Education could do with a stint on the therapist's couch itself".[35]

Ncuti Gatwa, who plays gay black teen Eric Effiong, has received praise from critics and cultural commentators, who noted his role was not relegated to the cliché of a gay or black "best friend" stock character.[36] [37] [38] The series gained acclaim for its treatment of intimate content and use of an intimacy coordinator, Ita O'Brien.[39]

Series 2

On Rotten Tomatoes, the second series has an approval rating of 98% with an average rating of 8.30/10, based on 57 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "Sex Educations sophomore season definitely has more going on, but by treating each new subject with care and humour, it leaves plenty of space for its characters to grow."[40] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 83 out of 100, based on reviews from 11 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[41]

Series 3

On Rotten Tomatoes, the third series has an approval rating of 98% with an average rating of 8.50/10, based on 42 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "With a seemingly endless desire to dive deeper into its characters paired perfectly with its talented ensemble, Sex Educations third season is a masterclass in brutally honest, brilliantly heartfelt comedy."[42] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 83 out of 100, based on reviews from 11 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[43] The third series won Best Comedy Series at the 50th International Emmy Awards.

Series 4

On Rotten Tomatoes, the fourth series debuted with an approval rating of 91%, based on 44 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "As sweetly empathetic and inclusive as ever, Sex Educations final season serves as a bittersweet -- but largely satisfying -- farewell."[44] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 70 out of 100, based on reviews from 17 critics, indicating a "generally favorable" reception.[45]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardSubjectNomineeResult
2019Online Film and Television AwardsBest Writing in Drama Series Sex Education
Best Supporting Actress in Drama Series Gillian Anderson
BAFTA Scotland AwardsBest Actor (Television)Ncuti Gatwa[46]
Gold Derby Film AwardsBreakthrough Performer of the YearAsa Butterfield
Best KissNcuti Gatwa and Connor Swindells[47]
Breakthrough PerformanceNcuti Gatwa
2020National Television AwardsComedySex Education
Gold Derby Film AwardsComedy ActorAsa Butterfield
Newport Beach Film FestivalArtist of DistinctionAsa Butterfield
Guild of Music Supervisors AwardsBest Music Supervision in a Comedy SeriesMatt Biffa
GLAAD Media AwardsOutstanding Comedy SeriesSex Education
BAFTA TV AwardsBest Male Comedy PerformanceNcuti Gatwa[48]
Best Emerging Talent: FictionLaurie Nunn
Best Production DesignSamantha Harley and Miri Katz
Best Scripted CastingLauren Evans
TV Choice AwardsBest Drama SeriesSex Education
British LGBT AwardsMetro Media Moment
NME AwardsBest TV ActorAsa Butterfield
Best Actor (Television)Ncuti Gatwa
RTS Programme AwardsComedy Performance: MaleNcuti Gatwa[49]
Writer: ComedyLaurie Nunn
2021Guild of Music Supervisors AwardsBest Music Supervision in a Comedy SeriesMatt Biffa
Hollywood Music in Media AwardsBest Music Supervision – TelevisionMatt Biffa
AACTA International AwardsBest Comedy SeriesSex Education
RTS Programme AwardsScripted Comedy[50]
GLAAD Media AwardsOutstanding Comedy Series
TRIC AwardsComedy Programme[51]
BAFTA TV AwardsBest Male Comedy PerformanceNcuti Gatwa[52]
Best Female Comedy PerformanceAimee Lou Wood
Emma Mackey
Best Costume DesignRosa Dias
Samantha Harley and Alexandra Slade
Lauren Evans
National Television AwardsComedySex Education[53]
2022Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesNcuti Gatwa[54]
GLAAD Media AwardsOutstanding Comedy SeriesSex Education[55]
National Comedy AwardsBest Scripted Comedy SeriesSex Education[56]
Outstanding Comedy ActressEmma Mackey
Outstanding Comedy ActorAsa Butterfield
Outstanding Supporting RoleNcuti Gatwa
Aimee Lou Wood[57]
BAFTA TV AwardsBest Male Comedy PerformanceNcuti Gatwa[58]
Best Female Comedy PerformanceAimee Lou Wood
Best Photography & Lighting: FictionOli Russell[59]
Best Scripted CastingLauren Evans
Best Emerging Talent: FictionRunyararo Mapfumo
National Television AwardsComedySex Education[60]
Televisual Bulldog AwardsMusicSex Education[61]
EditingSex Education
International Emmy AwardsBest Comedy SeriesSex Education[62]
BAFTA Scotland AwardsBest Actor (Television)Ncuti Gatwa[63]
'Scot on Screen' Audience Award
RTS Craft & Design AwardsBest Director – ComedyBen Taylor[64]
Best Editing – Comedy Sex Education

Style

Sex Education is often noted for its unique visual language and aesthetics, which employs American teen culture tropes into a British setting.[65] [66] Inspired by the filmography of John Hughes and the teen comedies of the 1980s, the series incorporates several elements, motifs and designs evocative of those films, and American teen media in general, such as students idling around lockers, non-uniform school dress codes and students sporting letterman jackets.[67] [68] [69] [70] In an interview with British GQ, series director Ben Taylor said: "When [Laurie Nunn] was writing the script and the world, they tended to be on the whole more American references to the school experience I've seen in film and TV than any British ones. There was a tone in the script that was about warmth and positivity. It was just a sort of rendering the school experience as a positive thing, which we tend not to do in this country. I think it also visually elevates it to a slightly more expansive canvas."[71] On the series retrograde setting, notably reminiscent of the 1980s, Taylor explained: "It was always contemporary ... It was just something we chose not to foreground so much, so that it wasn't about a generation of kids who are obsessed with their phones."[71]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: White . Peter . From Crumpets to Chlamydia Outbreaks — The Legacy of Netflix's 'Sex Education' . . 29 September 2023 . 28 September 2023 . 3 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231003073132/https://www.indiependent.co.uk/from-crumpets-to-chlamydia-outbreaks-the-legacy-of-netflixs-sex-education/#:~:text=Since%20its%20rambunctious%20arrival%20to,first%2091%20days%20on%20Netflix. . live .
  2. Web site: White . Peter . Netflix Lines Up Teen Sex Comedy Drama 'Sex Education' . . 17 May 2018 . 28 November 2017 . 28 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171128164735/http://deadline.com/2017/11/netflix-sex-education-1202215513/ . live .
  3. Web site: Emma Mackey's Sex Education' Character Has Already Become A Fan Favorite. Maple. Taylor. Bustle. 15 January 2019. 25 November 2019. 1 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190401181343/https://www.bustle.com/p/who-plays-maeve-on-sex-education-newcomer-emma-mackey-already-has-a-growing-fan-club-15815957. live.
  4. Web site: Everything We Know About Sex Education Season 2. Radloff. Jessica. Leach. Samantha. Glamour. 7 January 2020. 14 January 2020. 14 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200114133045/https://www.glamour.com/story/sex-education-season-2-details. live.
  5. Web site: 12 April 2022 . Bridgerton star won't return for next series of Sex Education . 8 July 2022 . Digital Spy . en-GB . 22 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220622233712/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a39704004/bridgerton-simone-ashley-not-in-sex-education-season-4/ . live .
  6. Web site: Sex Education confirms return of star who previously claimed they weren't in season 4. Emma. Tinson. Digital Spy. 5 July 2023. 6 July 2023. 6 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230706011106/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a44448044/sex-education-season-4-rakhee-thakrar-return/. live.
  7. Web site: Clarke . Stewart . Netflix Commits to 'Sex Education' With U.K. Drama Order . . 17 May 2018 . 28 November 2017 . 14 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180514235526/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/netflix-sex-education-1202624394/ . live .
  8. Web site: White . Peter . Netflix Unveils First Look At Gillian Anderson In British Comedy Drama 'Sex Education' . . 8 December 2018 . 4 December 2018 . 6 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181206171028/https://deadline.com/2018/12/netflix-sex-education-gillian-anderson-1202513439/ . live .
  9. Web site: White . Peter . 'Sex Education' Renewed For Season 2 By Netflix . . 1 February 2019 . 1 February 2019 . 1 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190201185322/https://deadline.com/2019/02/netflix-sex-education-second-season-1202547183/ . live .
  10. Web site: White . Peter . 'Sex Education' Renewed For Season 3 By Netflix . . 10 February 2020 . 10 February 2020 . 10 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200210193800/https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/10/netflix-renews-sex-education-for-season-3-as-mr-groff-drops-massive-teasers-and-we-are-thrilled-12217095/ . live .
  11. Web site: Final Q1 2021 Shareholder Letter. Netflix. 20 April 2021. 20 April 2021. 20 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210420200402/https://s22.q4cdn.com/959853165/files/doc_financials/2021/q1/FINAL-Q1-21-Shareholder-Letter.pdf. live.
  12. Web site: Sex Education Sets Season 3 Premiere — See First Photos of the New Episodes. Iannucci. Rebecca. TVLine. 24 June 2021. 24 June 2021. 4 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230104112500/https://tvline.com/2021/06/24/sex-education-season-3-premiere-date-netflix/. live.
  13. News: White . Peter . 'Sex Education' Renewed For Season 4 At Netflix . 25 September 2021 . . 25 September 2021 . 1 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001141420/https://deadline.com/2021/09/sex-education-renewed-for-season-4-at-netflix-1234844188/amp/ . live .
  14. News: Otterson. Joe. 'Sex Education' to End With Season 4 at Netflix, Sets Premiere Date. 5 July 2023. Variety. 5 July 2023. 23 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230923190533/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/sex-education-final-season-4-netflix-premiere-date-1235660491/. live.
  15. Web site: White . Peter . Gillian Anderson & Asa Butterfield Join Netflix Dramedy 'Sex Education' . . 17 May 2018 . 17 May 2018 . 1 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001141419/https://deadline.com/2018/05/gillian-anderson-asa-butterfield-join-netflix-dramedy-sex-education-1202393137/ . live .
  16. Web site: Roots . Kimberly . Gillian Anderson to Play 'Uninhibited' Therapist in Netflix's Sex Education . . 17 May 2018 . 17 May 2018 . 1 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201201005020/https://tvline.com/2018/05/17/gillian-anderson-cast-sex-education-netflix/ . live .
  17. Web site: Goldberg . Lesley . Gillian Anderson to Star in Netflix Dramedy 'Sex Education' . . 17 May 2018 . 17 May 2018 . 9 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201009012520/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/gillian-anderson-star-netflix-dramedy-sex-education-1112807 . live .
  18. Web site: Nemetz . Dave . Netflix's Sex Education: Francisco Filardo Joins Cast as Gillian Anderson's Ex . . 16 July 2018 . 16 July 2018 . 26 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201126212828/https://tvline.com/2018/07/16/james-purefoy-cast-sex-education-netflix-gillian-anderson/ . live .
  19. Web site: Williams . Kathryn . There are loads of Welsh locations in this major new Netflix series . . 17 January 2019 . 16 January 2019 . 21 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200721113600/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/where-is-sex-education-filmed-15684845 . live .
  20. Web site: Medd . James . Where is 'Sex Education' on Netflix filmed? . . 22 January 2019 . 22 January 2019 . 7 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190407093825/https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/where-is-sex-education-on-netflix-filmed . live .
  21. Web site: Moon . Ra . Sex Education Location: The British school where the Netflix series is filmed . Atlas of Wonders . 22 January 2019 . 13 January 2019 . 23 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190123010207/https://www.atlasofwonders.com/2019/01/sex-education-filming-locations.html . live .
  22. Web site: Everything We Know About 'Sex Education' Season 2. Bell. Sadie. Thrillist. 11 September 2019. 11 September 2019. 5 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191105074156/https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/sex-education-season-2-release-date. live.
  23. Web site: Kent Film Office. Kent Film Office Sex Education Season 3 (2021) article. 13 September 2021. 29 October 2021. 19 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220119042851/https://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/filmed-in-kent/2021/09/sex-education-season-3-2021/. live.
  24. Web site: What year is 'Sex Education' set in? There's a reason why the Netflix show has that '80s vibe. Smith. Katy Louise. 17 January 2020. 30 January 2020. the show’s creator Laurie Nunn revealed the reason behind the decision to make it feel retro and totally makes sense: “It was a very conscious decision from myself and the producers and director Ben Taylor who is also an executive producer on the project." "We all absolutely love the teen genre, particularly the John Hughes films of the 1980s so we really wanted to make the show have the feeling that it's an homage or that it has this nostalgic backdrop [...]". 14 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200614230854/https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/sex-education/what-year-set-in/. live.
  25. Web site: Petski . Denise . 'Sex Education' Trailer: First Footage Of Gillian Anderson & Asa Butterfield In Netflix British Comedy Drama . . 4 January 2019 . 2 January 2019 . 3 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190103132756/https://deadline.com/2019/01/sex-education-trailer-gillian-anderson-asa-butterfield-1202527706/ . live .
  26. Web site: Porter . Rick . Netflix Reveals Viewership Numbers for 'You,' 'Sex Education' and More . . 17 January 2019 . 17 January 2019 . 18 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190118052813/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/netflixs-you-track-40-million-viewers-1177025 . live .
  27. Web site: Sex Education Season 4: Netflix Estimated Release & What We Know So Far. What's on Netflix. 18 April 2022. 18 April 2022. 18 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418160606/https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/sex-education-season-4-netflix-renewal-status-everything-we-know-so-far-04-2022/. live.
  28. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Netflix's Sex Education Series Gets Manga. Anime News Network. November 22, 2022. July 15, 2022. 22 November 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221122115921/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-07-15/netflix-sex-education-series-gets-manga/.187655. live.
  29. Web site: Sex Education: Season 1 (2019) . . 30 September 2021 . 23 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190523214512/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/sex_education/s01/ . live .
  30. Web site: Sex Education: Season 1 . . 17 January 2020 . 4 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104112500/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/sex-education/season-1 . live .
  31. Web site: Miller . Liz Shannon . 'Sex Education' Review: Sweet and Sexy Netflix Series Is the Anti-'13 Reasons Why' . . 16 January 2019 . 11 January 2019 . 16 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190116150059/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/01/sex-education-review-netflix-gillian-anderson-asa-butterfield-1202034559/ . live .
  32. Web site: Knight . Lewis . Sex Education on Netflix review – "Hilariously honest and refreshingly diverse" . . 16 January 2019 . 10 January 2019 . 16 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200807/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/sex-education-netflix-review-hilariously-13840288 . live .
  33. News: Poniewozik . James . Review: 'Sex Education,' a Sweet Teen Comedy of Modern Lust . . 16 January 2019 . 9 January 2019 . 15 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190115030841/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/arts/television/sex-education-review-netflix.html . live .
  34. News: Stuever . Hank . 'Sex Education' is a bracingly frank look at high school's busy birds and bees . . 16 January 2019 . 11 January 2019 . 16 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200835/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/sex-education-is-a-bracingly-frank-look-at-high-schools-busy-birds-and-bees/2019/01/11/d51343f8-1459-11e9-803c-4ef28312c8b9_story.html . live .
  35. Web site: Power . Ed . Sex Education review: Gillian Anderson's Netflix comedy is eager to please but tonally confused . . 16 January 2019 . 10 January 2019 . 16 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190116153015/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/sex-education-review-netflix-stream-watch-gillian-anderson-asa-butterfield-cast-release-date-a8721486.html . live .
  36. News: From Ncuti Gatwa to floral tributes: this week's fashion trends . 20 February 2019 . . 1 February 2019 . 8 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001216/https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/feb/01/ncuti-gatwa-floral-tributes-fashion-trends-measure . live .
  37. News: Lockett . Dee . Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa Doesn't Want to Play the Gay Best Friend . 20 February 2019 . . 22 January 2019 . 8 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002934/https://www.vulture.com/2019/01/sex-education-netflix-eric-ncuti-gatwa.html . live .
  38. News: Okundaye . Jason . Sex Education's vital, complex portrayal of black queer teenhood . 20 February 2019 . Dazed . 22 January 2019 . 5 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201005124838/https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/43014/1/sex-education-eric-netflix-black-queer-teens-ncuti-gatwa . live .
  39. News: 'Take care of your actors': the intimacy director keeping Netflix's sex scenes safe . 3 May 2020 . . 25 January 2019 . 6 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200506083842/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/jan/25/netflix-sex-education-teen-drama-intimacy-director . live .
  40. Web site: Sex Education: Season 2 (2020) . Rotten Tomatoes . 31 July 2020 . 22 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200122182345/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/sex_education/s02 . live .
  41. Web site: Sex Education: Season 2 . Metacritic . 17 January 2020 . 24 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200124222855/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/sex-education/season-2 . live .
  42. Web site: Sex Education: Season 3 (2021) . Rotten Tomatoes . 6 January 2022 . 1 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001141452/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/sex_education/s03 . live .
  43. Web site: Sex Education: Season 3 . Metacritic . 6 January 2022 . 5 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231005195720/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/sex-education/season-3/ . live .
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