Season 4 of Sex Education has begun filming, but the Netflix show’s changes are already concerning given how different it will be. Sex Education season 3 already saw some big changes at Moordale High as new headteacher Hope (Jemima Kirke) completely reformed the school, eventually causing it to close down. Although a lot of Sex Education was wrapped up at the end of season 3, there are many questions that still need answering. Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve (Emma Mackey) have finally accepted their feelings for one another, for instance, yet Maeve moving to America to study adds to their many problems.
Season 3’s ending only makes the changes of Sex Education season 4 more worrying, as cast members are leaving, Moordale is gone, and Maeve will have a reduced role. Sex Education skyrocketed many of its actors to fame, with the likes of Simone Ashley starring in Bridgerton season 2, Ncuti Gatwa becoming the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who, and Emma Mackey set to star in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. The success of Sex Education has obviously had a positive effect, yet to stay original it has to change, which could alter the essence of the show. Here is every way Sex Education season 4 is already looking to be too different from what it has been.
Sex Education Season 4 Is Leaving Moordale Behind
One major change in season 4 of Sex Education is that the infamous “sex school,” Moordale, is being left behind. Season 3 headteacher Hope tried to rid Moordale of its bad reputation with strict and unusual measures: uniforms, walking on certain sides of the hallways, and splitting sex education lessons between boys and girls. Separating classes by gender caused quite a stir as it meant non-binary students, such as Cal Bowman (Dua Saleh), were excluded from important lessons. Hope’s attempt to be cool and relatable was underlined by harsh rules that led her to publicly shame students who rebelled.
It also caused others to rebel even harder against Hope as they stood up for their fellow students. The rebellion, which included Ruby (Mimi Keene) attacking headteacher Hope, caused the school to receive media attention and proved Hope had failed to reform the sex school, but the plan backfired as it meant the Moordale investors pulled out, the school was sold, and the students were forced to go elsewhere. Moordale is being left behind for the “high-tech and progressive Cavendish Sixth Form College," which is a “health and wellness nut’s dream” and even has a rival sex therapist on campus (via Digital Spy). The new school will offer plenty of new challenges for the students, but Sex Education season 4 will be very different without the beloved Moordale.
Sex Education Season 4 Is Missing A Lot Of Cast Members
Sex Education has confirmed some actors aren't returning for season 4. Simone Ashley, who played Olivia, left the show to star in Netflix's Bridgerton, where she'll have a larger part. Patricia Allison has also said she will not be returning as Ola, due to the actress wanting to pursue other projects. That means viewers will not see any more of Ola’s friendship with Adam (Connor Swindells) or her relationship with Lily (Tanya Reynolds). However, Tanya Reynolds will also be leaving the show, as Lily has been written off the show ahead of Sex Education season 4. Finally, Rakhee Thakkar, who plays teacher Emily Sands, has left but has not given a reason why. However, with no more Moordale in Sex Education, viewers can expect to see plenty of new teachers.
With many characters leaving Sex Education, viewers can expect to see a lot of new faces. One confirmed new cast member is Dan Levy, the writer, producer, and star of Schitt’s Creek. He plays Thomas, a cult author who is also Maeve’s tutor at an Ivy League college in America. According to Digital Spy, other Sex Education cast members joining in season 4 include Doctor Who’s Thaddea Graham plus newcomers Marie Reuther, Felix Mufti, Anthony Lexa, Alexandra James, Reda Elazouar, Bella Maclean, and Imani Yahshua. Although it will be sad to see beloved cast members leave, new characters and a new location will hopefully allow Sex Education season 4 to survive and provide fresh yet still great storylines.
Sex Education Season 4 Will Have Less Maeve
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Although she is not leaving, Maeve Wiley will not be featured as heavily in season 4 of Sex Education. At the end of season 3, Otis and Maeve finally admitted their feelings for one another, but as often happens with the pair, they were unable to have an easy relationship as Maeve left for her gifted program in the U.S. The move to America is the biggest reason Maeve will not be featured as heavily, as most of the action will happen at Sex Education’s new high school. However, with Dan Levy joining the cast as Maeve’s tutor, viewers can be assured she will still be present during Sex Education season 4.
Also, with Otis and Maeve’s relationship still problematic, the show needs to have some focus on their relationship, as there are plenty of loose threads there. The Sex Education season 4 synopsis says Otis is trying to deal with the long-distance relationship he has with Maeve, which hopefully means this arc features heavily in season 4. Otis and Maeve’s relationship has been building since season 1 and viewers want to see the culmination of that. Plus, as Maeve is a favored character, it would be unwise for Sex Education to cut her screen time down too much. Maeve may be featured less, but her new situation in America with Thomas could provide some great entertainment in Sex Education season 4, despite all the changes.