Netflix's Sex Education season 2 brings brand-new characters, including a mix of familiar faces and newcomers. The British series follows teenagers in high school as they navigate sexual blunders and adolescent woes. The series rapidly garnered praise after premiering in 2019, becoming one of Netflix's top shows.
Asa Butterfield stars as Otis Milburn, a socially awkward teen who helps his classmates with sex advice borrowed from his sex therapist mom Dr. Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson). But despite becoming a sex guru of sorts to his peers, Otis struggles with romance. He's unable to express his feelings to rebellious misfit Maeve (Emma Mackey), and begins a new romance with crush Ola (Patricia Allison), despite still having feelings for his friend.
Sex Education season 1's ending left fans with many questions of the characters' fates that'll be answered in season 2. The new season shows Otis as he experiences a sexual awakening and has his first relationship. But he quickly finds out that having a girlfriend doesn't make his problems go away. Meanwhile, Jean continues her relationship with Ola's father, Jakob (Mikael Persbrandt), wrestling with whether she wants a stable relationship or her independence.
Before Sex Education season 2 introduced to new characters onscreen who'll shake things up, let’s break down who the new kids are, as well as the fan-favorite main characters, who plays them, and why they look so familiar.
Sex Education Season 2's Returning Main Characters
Asa Butterfield as Otis Milburn: Awkward, nerdy Otis is a high schooler who struggles in the romance department. He went from wallflower to one of the most sought-after kids thanks to his sex therapy sessions, where he shares what he's learned from his open-minded sex therapist mom. Before starring in Sex Education, Butterfield was a child actor, best known for his role in Martin Scorcese's 2011 film Hugo.
Gillian Anderson as Dr. Jean F. Milburn: Dr. Milburn is an outspoken, loving mom who wants the best for her son, but often ends up accidentally embarrassing Otis. In season 2, she begins a relationship with Otis' girlfriend's Dad, and questions what she actually wants in a partner. Anderson is best known as no-nonsense Agent Dana Scully from The X-Files.
Emma Mackey as Maeve Wiley: At the end of season 1, Maeve had been kicked out of school and went through an emotional breakup with star athlete Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling). In season 2, she'll join forces with Otis again, despite the tension between them now that Otis has a girlfriend. Sex Education marks Mackey's first big starring role and she's set to appear in the upcoming film adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel Death on the Nile.
Ncuti Gatwa as Eric Effiong: At the end of season 1, Eric began to feel more comfortable being his flamboyant self and began a secret romance with his bully Adam (Connor Swindells). In season 2, Eric attracts a new love interest, but similarly to Dr. Milburn, finds himself questioning what – and who – he really wants. Before Sex Education, Gatwa played Dougie in mini-series Stonemouth. He's set to appear in the film The Last Letter from Your Lover, alongside Felicity Jones, Shailene Wooley, and Joe Alwyn.
Connor Swindells as Adam Groff: When he was last seen, Adam revealed to Eric that he bullied him to hide his romantic feelings and is sent to military school by his dad. The upcoming season will show him as he struggles to adapt to his rigorous new school and grapples with coming to terms with his sexual orientation. Prior to Sex Education, Swindells appeared in an episode of Hulu's Harlots, and had roles in films The Vanishing and VS.
Kedar Williams-Stirling as Jackson Marchetti: Jackson experienced heartbreak at the end of season 1, after Maeve told him she didn't love him. He also dealt with the pressure from his moms to succeed as a swimmer. In the next season, Jackson suffers an injury and finds an unexpected love for theatre. Before starring in the hit Netflix series, Williams-Stirling starred in the TV shows Wolfblood and Will.
Sex Educations Season 2 New Cast & Characters
Chinenye Ezeudu as Viv: Viv is a character introduced in season 2 who tutors Jackson and helps him prepare for his role in Romeo and Juliet in exchange for advice on how to get her crush Dex's attention. She's extremely intelligent and a top student, but is extremely socially awkward when it comes to talking to boys. Sex Education is her first role, and she'll appear in the upcoming series The Stranger.
Lino Facioli as Dex: Dex is another brand-new character for season 2. He's an attractive, confident nerd who Viv is infatuated with. Game of Thrones fans shared Viv's sentiments when his character Robin Arryn emerged in the series finale; many went on a social media frenzy after seeing his glow-up from weird breast milk-obsessed kid to new crush.
Sami Outalbali as Rahim: Rahim is a new French student who everyone has their eyes set on – including Eric. He's sweet, has swagger, and an alluring accent to boot, so he'll quickly become a fan favorite. Outalbali has mostly appeared in French productions, including the TV show Grown-Ups.
Sex Education Season 2 Supporting Cast
Aimee Lou Wood as Aimee Gibbs: In season 2, Aimee deals with a harrowing experience that she begins to overcome with the help of her friends. This is Wood's first role.
Patricia Allison as Ola Nyman: Ola's romance with Otis kicked off in season 1, and in the next season, the new couple will put their relationship to the test, as they navigate their sexual desires and trusting each other after the Maeve debacle. Allison only has a handful of credits, including Marguerite in the Les Misérables mini-series.
Mikael Persbrandt as Jakob Nyman: Jakob will have a bigger role in season 2, as he begins his relationship with Dr. Milburn. He stirs up trouble for Otis and Dr. Milburn, by making himself feel too much at home and wanting to be the man of the house. He played Beorn in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, and starred as Alexander Zalachenko in The Girl in the Spider's Web.
George Robinson as Isaac: Isaac is introduced in season 2 as Maeve's new friend, who moves into her trailer park. He has a great sense of humor and becomes someone she can relate to on a deeper level than her friends from school because of their hardships. This is Robinson's first television role.
Mimi Keene as Ruby: Mean girl Ruby gets more screen time in season 2, though that doesn't mean she's buddies with Eric, Maeve, and her other targets yet. Before Sex Education, Keene played Cindy Williams in the popular British soap opera EastEnders. She also had a role in the J.R.R. Tolkien biopic Tolkien.
Alistair Petrie as Mr. Groff: High school principal Mr. Groff will stir up plenty of trouble in season 2 of Sex Education, as he butts heads with Dr. Milburn and his own family. Petrie has appeared in many films and TV shows. Star Wars fans might recognize him as General Draven from Rogue One.