Sex Education season three is finally here – the wait is over!!

Thanks to Covid related delays, fans had to wait an extra half a year to reconnect with the students of Moordale High and the longer the delay went on the higher the expectation. So the real question is whether season three will live up to the standard set by its predecessors. If you are new to Sex Education then don’t forget to check out my reviews on seasons one and two.

It’s been such a long wait that you would be forgiven for not remembering everything they managed to pack into the second season but fear not, for this season starts with a whistle stop recap delivered by Otis and Eric themselves. 

The show itself starts with of bang (pun intended) – a full on montage worthy of porn hub that offers a snap shot into the lives of students, parents and teachers over the summer break. And to say there is a lot of sex is a rather gross understatement. 

We see Otis enjoying some carnal pleasure in the back seat of a car with a mysterious someone. Eric and Adam are officially a couple and are getting down to business. Orla and Lily are having sex that is quite literally out of this world. Miss Sands and Mr. Hendricks are making sweet music of their own. Even the recently separated Maureen Groff is enjoying some action. 

And that is just the tip of the sex-berg. 

But the fun freedom of summer quickly becomes a distant memory, once the bell rings for a new school year, and reality comes crashing down as their reputation as the ‘Sex School’ brings a media frenzy, a new head teacher and repercussions that they couldn’t even begin to imagine. 

The students and teachers of Moordale are no longer fighting for sexual freedom but their identity and individuality.

Once again, Sex Education has kept the cast list relatively compact, with only a couple of new additions, instead choosing to continuing developing the characters that we know and love and build upon already established storylines. For those of you like me, who are suckers for character development, you will love this season but if you are in it for the laughs, some of the comedy has made way for the heart.

Last season’s new additions are still very much present with Maeve’s mum Erin, jilted heart throb Rahim and season two’s villain, Isaac, all returning in small but pivotal roles. Jackson Marchetti’s BFF, over achiever Viv also returns but in a slightly meatier role this time round acting as our link with new headteacher, Hope Haddon (Jemima Kirke), whose school reforms are the driving force for many of this season’s main storylines.

Where season two delved into the concepts of sexual identity (bisexual, asexual, pansexual etc.) and sexual assault/harassment, this season’s main themes are on individuality, self-expression and gender identity. This gives the brilliantly quirky Tanya Reynolds an opportunity to shine as our favourite alien enthusiast Lily Iglehart with a heart wrenching storyline that many an ‘outsider’ can relate to. The show also introduces its first non-binary character Cal Bowman, played by non-binary actor Dua Saleh, which allows the writers to explore some of the struggles, stigma and misunderstanding around gender identity and fluidity.

Sex Education is one of my favourite shows at the moment and, once again, Laurie Nunn and the writers have delivered the goods with a perfect blend of heart, comedy and honesty personified by a fantastic cast. I’ve seen lots of comments this year about the fact that it is practically impossible to pinpoint where the show takes place – it is somehow simultaneously quintessentially British and overtly American – or even when it is set – garish 70’s decor and fashion reminiscent of the 90’s sit comfortably alongside present day smartphones and technology, but that is one of the things that will make this series timeless and why it doesn’t matter your age or background. This is a must watch.

All three seasons of Sex Education are available to stream on Netflix.