Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault.
Considering the show is centered on high school students, it should come as no surprise that romance is all over the place in Sex Education. The popular Netflix series has seen all sorts of relationships at its center, whether it be people dating a while, those with unspoken love for each other, and so much more.
Of course, not every couple on the show can be considered among the best or be the most popular with the fans. Some don't feel like they belong together while others have remarkable chemistry only for things to end on a sour note. Regardless, fans appreciated getting to see them all unfold.
Ola & Otis
Considering he and Maeve took forever to discuss their feelings, Otis's (Asa Butterfield) first girlfriend was Ola Nyman (Patricia Allison). They met when Ola picked up her dad from fixing something at Otis's house and they hit it off. Ola, being the bold young woman that she is, asked Otis out first.
Unfortunately, their first date at the dance went poorly when Otis compared her to a house cat. Though they did date throughout about half of season 2, it became clear that the two were better off as friends than being romantic. They broke up and actually became something like siblings in season 3 when their parents started dating again.
Jakob & Jean
Speaking of Otis and Ola's parents, they had an almost instant spark on the show. Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson) was notorious for casual hookups and didn't do relationships. When she slept with Jakob Nyman (Mikael Persbrandt), he wanted more and she was initially against the idea.
Jean realized she missed him and they gave it a try in season 2, only for there to be problems. She got annoyed with having him around and she kissed her ex-husband, causing them to break up. Though they agreed to be co-parents in season 3, they clashed as a couple again, especially with Jakob's trust issues. Maybe they're just too different for things to work between them.
Isaac & Maeve
As season 2 wrapped up, Isaac (George Robinson) became the most hated character among Sex Education fans. He was clearly set up to be a roadblock for the show's central romance between Otis and Maeve (Emma Mackey). Then, he committed the ultimate sin by deleting Otis's voicemail where he confessed his love to Maeve.
However, Isaac redeemed himself in season 3. As soon as Maeve kissed him, he stopped things and admitted his actions, not wanting to enter a romance under false pretenses. Isaac was always there for Maeve, had her back, and did romantic things for her. Plus, they were praised for a sweet scene that was a rare display of intimacy on TV for a wheelchair user.
Jackson & Maeve
At the start of season 1, Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling) and Maeve were having casual sex. That worked well for Maeve and she wanted to keep it quiet but Jackson wanted more. Jackson didn't care that he was the popular head boy and she was an outcast because he genuinely liked her.
When he found out more about Maeve's interests, he got into them and grew to appreciate her even more. Maeve clearly liked him a lot back as she even fell for his grand romantic gesture, which she was previously not a fan of. Jackson also opened up more to her than anyone previously and though they weren't the endgame for each other, their relationship helped both grow immensely.
Eric & Rahim
As soon as Rahim (Sami Outalbali) showed up at Moordale, everyone was smitten. Ruby was obsessed with making him her boyfriend but it turned out that Rahim had eyes for someone else. He began courting Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa) and their early days as a couple were adorable.
Rahim was out and proud, having no qualms with public displays of affection, which was big for Eric. Although they were a good couple, the problems came later as Rahim did things like laugh at Eric's faith and religion. Eric's mother also believed he wasn't being himself with Rahim, which was an issue.
Maeve & Otis
The entire show is built around the "will they/won't they" of Maeve and Otis. The two formed an instant bond, choose each other over almost everyone else, and audiences were dying to see them get together for two seasons. On paper, they should be the show's best couple.
However, there are a few things holding them back. First, they haven't had the chance to be an actual couple yet, since they've never officially dated and only kissed twice. They've also shown that they're poor at communicating with each other, which won't be good for a real relationship. Some fans now think they might be better off as friends.
Aimee & Steve
In the early stages of the show, it seemed like Aimee Gibbs (Aimee Lou Wood) was unsure of what she wanted romantically. Her relationship with Adam went nowhere but things improved when she met Steve Morley (Chris Jenks). She was blown away that he wanted to do what would please her in bed and not the other way around.
There's a chance that these two would've been the show's best couple had it not been for Aimee being a victim of sexual assault in season 2. That moment changed her completely, as she no longer felt comfortable with Steve or anyone touching her. That drove a wedge in their relationship and though Steve remained loyal for months, always doing nice things for her, she finally let him go at the end of season 3.
Lily & Ola
Part of what caused Ola to break up with Otis was her realizing that her feelings for him weren't exactly love. She felt that in a much stronger way towards Lily Iglehart (Tanya Reynolds), with this coming after she figured out that she was pansexual.
It took a bit to start officially but Ola and Lily have proved to be one of the cutest and best couples on Sex Education. They are passionate and care deeply for one another. Their one issue came due to Lily not paying attention to Ola's needs and Ola calling some of Lily's likes weird but they made up by the season 3 finale.
Adam & Eric
The relationship between Adam Groff (Connor Swindells) and Eric is one of the most layered in the series. Adam began as Eric's bully who looked to torment him on a daily basis. In the season 1 finale, a fight turned sexual and more was opened up about Adam's personality.
He came to understand that he was bisexual and struggled to let that be public. Once he finally did, he dated Eric and they were great together. From riding to school together to romantic picnics, they did it all. Alas, Eric was ready to be around other gay people and be more out and proud, while Adam wasn't, causing them to break up.
Otis & Ruby
It started simply enough with a hookup near the end of season 2. Otis lost his virginity to Ruby Matthews (Mimi Keene) and went with her to get the morning-after pill. They bonded there and season 3 began with the two having spent the summer secretly hooking up. Ruby was controlling and embarrassed of Otis but once he stood up to her and officially asked her out, they became the show's most adorable duo.
Otis became more confident, while Ruby opened up and let herself ve vulnerable. The double date with Eric and Adam is arguably the show's cutest scene and finding out that Ruby told her parents about Otis was touching. Their split came due to Otis having stronger feelings for Maeve but many fans feel his chemistry and romance with Ruby was better than any other despite only happening across a handful of episodes.