Sex Education has probably become one of the most aware series on Netflix. With issues dealing with racism, homophobia, and gender fluidity, the series has truly normalized the bad view surrounding people’s bodies and their sexuality.
With the final season being recently released, several important characters are missing from the fourth season of the show. With various reasons for completing storylines or getting another project, here are 5 fan-favorite characters who left Sex Education and why.
1) Jakob
One of the most important figures missing from season 4 of Sex Education is Jakob. The boyfriend of Dr. Jean Milburn who was portrayed by Mikael Persbrandt is notably absent from the season and fans are rummaging their heads.
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The answer is pretty clear as during the finale of season 3, it’s revealed that Jakob is not the father of Jean Milburn’s baby. Otis states in season 4 that he is simply ‘gone’ but fans have their reason for why Jakob is absent throughout the whole season.
2) Ola
Alongside Jakob, his daughter Ola who had quite a good relationship with Otis during season 3 is also absent from the final season. Although there were some complications (with his dad being Otis’ new dad), Patricia Allison revealed that she had some other engagements that needed more attention.
In an interview with Capital Xtra (via Twitter), the actress shared the following statement: “I have absolutely loved being on Sex Education, so, so much, and playing Ola, but unfortunately, I won’t be joining the team for season 4…I’m so sorry to have to break that to you guys, but I’m just going to be doing some other things”.
Admittedly the decision was for the better since they couldn’t have explained Jakob’s absence if Ola was still in the storyline. In the show, it is insinuated that since Jakob left so did Ola with him.
3) Olivia
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Olivia was a part of the trio of Anwar and Ruby but now the trio has broken up. In the first episode when Ruby meets Otis and Aimee, she tells them that Olivia and Anwar went to a different college and are not in contact anymore.
The real reason for Olivia’s absence is that Simone Ashley joined Netflix’s Bridgeton series and had to leave Sex Education behind. In an interview with This Morning, the actress stated “No, I mean, I’m a Bridgerton girl now.”
4) Anwar
Chaneil Kular, the actor who plays Anwar told Digital Spy that he was devasted when he first heard the news that he won’t be returning for the final season of Sex Education. Stating that there was no safety net involved, Kular later joined another film titled Accused.
“You kind of have no safety net; you’ve got to do it on your own and make a name for yourself,”
And hence, the trio of Anwar, Ruby, and, Olivia broke up and went their separate ways in season 4 of the Netflix show.
5) Lily
Lily was perhaps one of the most intriguing characters in Sex Education. With her sexuality deemed ‘weird’, her character was outcasted but she found hope and love by kissing Ola during season 3 of the series.
Tanya Reynolds shared with Digital Spy that the reason she did not return was that she felt Lily’s story was complete and that the character’s story arc was completed at the end of season three.
“I think that for Lily, her storyline was just wrapped up quite nicely at the end of season three. So she’s got no loose ends to tie up, she had quite a happy ending. At the end of last season, everyone kind of gets scattered, and I think that’s just a good opportunity to bring in some new characters.”
With the series coming to an end, fans will surely miss these characters but the actors do have other commitments or the storyline didn’t fit them well enough. The 4th season of Sex Education has been released and is available to stream on Netflix around the world.
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