Thanks to his commitment to Doctor Who, Netflix's Sex Education season 4 may have to rethink Ncuti Gatwa's role moving forwards. As Eric, Gatwa has been an integral part of the series, both as a foil for lead character Otis and with his supporting romance arc with Connor Swindells' Adam Groff. However, while Eric continues to be one of Sex Education's most popular characters, it seems likely that his position as a core cast member will have to evolve.
The main issue is Gatwa's status as the Fifteenth Doctor. Taking over the stewardship of one of BBC Television's most famous creations from David Tennant, Doctor Who represents a major development in Gatwa's career. While Sex Education has become increasingly popular since its debut in 2019, Doctor Who is an institution that has built a dedicated fanbase over 60 years. As such, it's understandable that the demands on its lead are more intense than might be expected of a supporting character on a Netflix series still in its relative infancy. As Doctor Who begins to take precedence for Gatwa, it's perhaps inevitable that his role in Sex Education will take a backseat.
How Sex Education Could Explain Eric's Absence In Season 4
There are several ways that Sex Education season 4 could subtly explain Eric's absence from the action. For one thing, the season 3 ending left every character in a state of uncertainty, with Moordale school forced into closure. While this puts everyone's fate up in the air, it does provide the writers with some wriggle room for splitting characters up if necessary – whether for the main narrative or on account of other external commitments.
As a result, Sex Education could use the closure of Moordale to move Eric to another environment off-screen, perhaps for his education or because of family pressure. The show has also taken time to explore his African heritage, making a return trip to Nigeria a possibility for the character. A final option is that Eric takes a similar approach to Maeve, choosing to take a trip abroad either for education or to continue the self-discovery that has defined his character thus far. Either way, there are plenty of possibilities for explaining the character's absence – even if it would be tragic for Otis to lose both his love interest and best friend in quick succession.
Why Sex Education Season 4 Still Needed Ncuti Gatwa
Although there are plausible ways for Sex Education season 4 to reduce Gatwa's role, the show can't ax him completely. The fact is that Eric has been a central presence throughout the series and would leave a huge hole in his absence. He is also an important figure for protagonist Otis, who will undoubtedly lean on his friend after Maeve's departure for America. It's simply unrealistic to expect that Otis would ignore Eric in Maeve's absence, so having Gatwa play some sort of role is essential.
By its nature, Sex Education can't last forever. Multiple cast members have already left due to other commitments and the unavoidable realities of aging. As such, reducing Eric's role is perhaps a natural evolution for the series. However, such is Gatwa's presence and the popularity and importance of the character that Sex Education still needs to find a place for Eric – whatever the actor's availability in the aftermath of Doctor Who.