Sex Education season three: a teenage rampage
Holly Fleck
The hit Netflix original series ‘Sex Education’ is back for season three with a new headmaster (Jemima Kirke) in town, who has a burning desire to revamp the infamous ‘sex school’ – and with her comes school uniforms and single file corridors. Fans of the show will know that Moordale’s teenagers are destined to flourish and be their unapologetic selves against all odds, and they certainly won’t be put back in their box by these new rules.
The show has representation and respect at its core, and season three is no different. Continuing to showcase diversity, two non-binary characters are introduced this season, Cal (Dua Selah) and Layla (Robyn Holdaway). Their story focuses on the supportive bond that is formed between them. This season also features a deeper delve into the character of Isaac (George Robinson) who is a visibly disabled character caught in a love triangle between two of the show’s main stars, Maeve (Emma Mackey) and Otis (Asa Butterfield). Isaac is given a chance in this season to explore his sexuality, as his physical chemistry with Maeve challenges many tired stereotypes about disabled people, while educating non-disabled viewers on physical intimacy in the lives of people with disabilities.
Additionally, the tension between Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) and Adam (Connor Swindells) develops as they tap into the sexual side of their relationship, allowing for a nuanced representation of the Nigerian LGBTQ+ scene as Eric attends a family wedding in Nigeria. Through Eric’s eyes we see a haunting dilemma for many in the LGBTQ+ community, as same sex marriage, relationships and communities are prohibited under Nigerian law. When Eric meets Oba (Jerry Iwu), a gay Nigerian photographer, we are shown the reality of the underground LGBTQ+ subculture where those in the community can exist freely and create a safe space in their own country.
The show’s main female stars also face some new struggles in this season, with Maeve having to deal with her younger sister being placed into foster care, and Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) reaching out to Dr Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson) to discuss the trauma she faced in the previous season after experiencing sexual assault. The continuation of this storyline from season two highlights how personal the healing journey is, and challenges the viewer’s perception of the impact of sexual assault.
Overall, this teen drama combines diversity, personal issues, and humour, making it relatable and educational for a young adult audience. This season is definitely not one to be missed.
Holly Fleck is a Health and Lifestyle reporter for The Scoop and a Journalism student at Ulster University.