Sex Education's third season recently dropped on Netflix and was filled with laughs, colorful new characters and crazy plot developments. Since the show's first season, the cast has continued to grow, with the side characters getting more focus as time goes on.
While the key characters like Otis, Eric and Maeve have always been heavily featured, some of the side characters are the most beloved on the show. With such a large ensemble cast, it's inevitable that some characters will get more screen time than others and this was particularly evident in season 3.
Ruby Matthews
In the first two seasons, Ruby was a minor and fairly one dimensional character. However, in season 3 she began a relationship with Otis and more of her backstory was explored. While she didn't lose the mean streak that had previously defined her character, a softer side to Ruby was shown through her relationship with her father and her vulnerability around Otis.
In the first few episodes of the season, Ruby features quite heavily and transforms into one of the most well rounded and interesting characters on the show. That being said, in the second half of the season she fades into the background and is barely seen which is disappointing after seeing this new slide to the character; it would have been great to see how her breakup with Otis had changed her.
Aimee Gibbs
Aimee is a key character of Sex Education, and while she gets a fair amount of screentime in season 3, it still would have been good to see more of her. Season 3 continued Amy's journey of self discovery and healing after what happened to her on the bus in the previous season.
Aimee’s therapy sessions were some of the stand out scenes of the season and she remained one of the funniest characters on Sex Education. However, with so many other characters in play her presence in this season didn't feel as significant. As Aimee is one of the main characters on the show, it would have been interesting to explore her home life further and see more of her relationship with Steve so her decision to break up with him didn't come so out of left field.
Anwar Bakshi
Anwar is credited as one of the main characters on the show but feels like a supporting character at best due to his lack of screen time and development. As Anwar is in a relationship, this would have been a great way for fans to learn more about him and perhaps see a softer side to his character.
However, his screen time in season 3 is limited to a comedy plot line about an allergic reaction and berating Otis for his fashion sense and treatment of Ruby. Viewers have seen small glimpses of Anwar's vulnerability and insecurity but the show has yet to fully delve into his background. Fans have yet to see Anwar's family life or explore anything deeper about the character and it felt like many of the new and minor characters received more screen time than him in season 3.
Nick
Anwar’s boyfriend, Nick suddenly appeared in the second season with the two already in a relationship. Fans didn't see how the couple got together and Nick wasn't seen before it was revealed he was in a relationship with Anwar.
Although he is clearly supposed to be a minor character, giving Nick more screen time could have helped to develop Anwar further. The dynamics of their relationship are never really explored beyond some minor details about their physical intimacy. Thomas Atkinson has shown his strength as an actor on the British soap Emmerdale, so he feels slightly wasted in such a small role and it would be interesting to see more focus on him in the next season.
Viv Odusanya
Viv tutors Jackson in the second season and the two quickly become firm friends. She is shown to be studious, ambitious and moral and is one of the best characters introduced after Sex Education season 1.
In the previous season, there were hints of a possible attraction between Viv and Jackson and while they seemed like an unlikely couple at first, they did have a lot in common. Season 3 overlooks this plot line though in favor of an ill suited coupling between Jackson and new student, Cal. Viv's screentime in season 3 is limited to impressing Hope and messaging her new boyfriend which is a shame for a character that has such potential.
Maureen Groff
As one of the parents, Maureen has always played a relatively small role on the show. Compared to previously, Maureen did get a healthy amount of screentime in season 3 but after seeing how funny and loving she really was, it was difficult not to want more from the character.
Although the main focus of the show has always been on the younger characters, it's always fun to see the parents having their own relationship issues and dilemmas. The reunion between Maureen and Michael was touching to see, and she had a lovely, understated reaction to Adam's coming out. As Maureen has become such a fun character to watch and has a wonderful friendship with Jean, it would be great to see more of her in the future.
Rahim
After his failed relationship with Eric in season 2, it did seem like Rahim's time on the show had reached a natural end. So, to see him return in season 3 was a pleasant surprise and left viewers hoping his character would be explored further. However, much like in the previous season his sole purpose centered around Eric and Adam's relationship.
One of the Sex Education friendships nobody saw coming was between Rahim and Adam in the latest season. While Rahim putting his feelings aside in order to advise Adam was refreshing, it would have been good to learn more about him as a person away from his ex and his new boyfriend. The new found friendship between him and Adam did hint that the two could become more than friends in the future so it will be exciting to see if this is followed up on in season 4.
Jakob Nyman
Jakob had more than his fair share of relationship drama with his on and off again love interest, Jean in season 3. Jakob and Jean finally decided to make a go of things and start a proper family for their unborn child.
Previously, the relationship between Jakob and Otis had been a little awkward, so it was heartwarming to see the former become a father figure to the latter when he needed it most. That being said, most of Jakob’s screen time in season 3 seemed to center around his differences with Jean, and he did seem to be pushed into the background at times. With the hint that Jean's baby may not be his at the end of the season, it's likely that the character will be featured much more next time around.
Carol Iglehart
Season 3 finally introduced fans to Lily's mother which allowed for some powerful development for the eccentric character. Although Carol doesn't seem to understand her daughter's fascination with aliens, she does encourage Lily to rediscover her identity after she is shamed by Hope.
As Lily is such a fun and unique character, it was fascinating to learn more about her past here. Carol's screen time is limited though, leaving fans wanting to see more of her relationship with her daughter. At the end of the season when Jean is in labour, Carol confides in her about her daughter's troubles so perhaps they may become a trio of Moordale mothers, along with Maureen in season 4.
Jean Milburn
Unlike most of the other parents on the show, Jean plays a large role and has stories of her own. Some of her best scenes in season 3 are her therapy sessions with Amy and Michael in which she helps them to overcome traumas from their pasts. As Jean is one of the best characters in Sex Education, more screen time for her is always welcome.
The idea of Jean starting a new family with Jakob and coming to terms with being an older mother were interesting avenues for the character to go down. That being said, with everything else going on in the season, these themes were only lightly touched upon and more time could certainly have been given to Jean and how she truly felt about these huge life changes.