It’s a weird feeling when a show that felt like a cultural reset just... stops. For four seasons, we watched Otis Milburn stumble through puberty while basically running an unlicensed therapy clinic in a school bathroom. Now that the dust has settled on the series finale, people are scouring the internet asking one blunt question: is Sex Education over?
Yeah. It is.
Laurie Nunn, the show’s creator, was pretty clear about it. She mentioned in an open letter to fans that as the writers started working on Season 4, it became obvious that the characters were outgrowing Moordale (and Cavendish). They were becoming adults. You can't stay a "teen" show forever without becoming a parody of yourself.
But saying the show is over isn't the same as saying its impact is gone. Honestly, the finale left a lot of people feeling raw. It wasn't the "everyone gets a happy ending" vibe we usually get from Netflix. It was messy. It was realistic. And it left a massive hole in the streaming landscape that nobody has quite figured out how to fill yet.
Why the story of Otis and Maeve had to stop
The heart of the show was always the "will-they-won't-they" between Otis and Maeve. By the end of Season 4, they finally had their answer, and it wasn't a fairy tale.
Life happens. Maeve Wiley had bigger dreams than just being someone's girlfriend in a small town. She had America. She had her writing. If the show had forced them to stay together, it would have betrayed everything her character stood for. It would’ve been cheap.
The production itself was also hitting a wall. If you look at the cast list for the final season, you’ll notice some huge names were already halfway out the door. Simone Ashley (Olivia) left for Bridgerton. Patricia Allison (Ola) and Tanya Reynolds (Lily) didn't return for the final outing. Even Ncuti Gatwa, who played the iconic Eric Effiong, was busy becoming the next Doctor Who.
When your main cast starts becoming global superstars, your filming schedule becomes a nightmare. It was the right time to pull the plug before the quality dipped too far.
The "Cavendish" shift: Why Season 4 felt so different
A lot of fans felt a bit of whiplash in the final season. Moving from the crumbling, "John Hughes" aesthetic of Moordale to the ultra-progressive, solar-powered utopia of Cavendish College was a choice.
Some loved it. Others found it a bit heavy-handed.
The show tried to tackle everything in those last eight episodes. Trans identity, disability rights, religious trauma, asexual identity, and the reality of post-partum depression. It was a lot. While some critics argued the show became "too woke," the reality is that Sex Education always pushed boundaries. It just became more explicit about its politics toward the end.
The introduction of characters like Abbi and Roman showed a different side of queer joy, which was a sharp contrast to the struggle-bus years at Moordale. But for many, the soul of the show was that struggle. Seeing everyone suddenly "enlightened" felt like a different show entirely.
Is there any hope for a spinoff or a movie?
So, is Sex Education over for good, or is there a "Moordale: The Next Generation" in the works?
As of right now, there are no official plans for a spinoff. Laurie Nunn has hinted that she might revisit the world of Moordale someday, but she needs a break. You have to remember, these writers spent nearly seven years in this world.
Netflix isn't usually shy about milking a franchise. Look at Stranger Things or The Witcher. However, Sex Education is so tied to its specific cast that a reboot without Ncuti Gatwa or Gillian Anderson feels like a death sentence. It’s hard to imagine the show working without Jean Milburn’s chaotic energy or Eric’s legendary outfits.
If we do get something, it might be years down the line. Maybe a "ten years later" special? Seeing Otis as a thirty-something therapist who still can't fix his own life would be relatable, if a bit depressing.
What the show actually changed about real-life sex ed
Beyond the drama, the show did something huge. It actually taught people things.
The show’s consultant, Alix Fox, worked tirelessly to make sure the "clinics" Otis ran were based on actual sexual health facts. They covered things that most high schools still ignore:
- Vaginismus: The show brought this condition into the mainstream conversation, helping thousands of people realize they weren't "broken."
- The nuance of consent: It wasn't just "yes or no," but about the communication during the act.
- Asexuality: Through O, the show explored the spectrum of asexuality in a way that didn't treat it like a problem to be solved.
Honestly, the "education" part of the title wasn't just a gimmick. It was a lifeline for kids (and adults) living in places where sexual health is still a taboo subject.
The legacy of the "Netflix Teen Drama" era
We are seeing a shift in how streaming services handle teen content. The era of the high-budget, cinematic teen dramedy—think Euphoria, Skins, or Sex Education—is changing. Studios are becoming more risk-averse. They want "safe" hits.
Sex Education was never safe. It featured a prosthetic penis in the first five minutes of the pilot. It was bold, vulgar, and incredibly tender.
The fact that it survived four seasons and ended on its own terms is actually a miracle in the current streaming climate where shows get canceled after one season if they don't break the internet immediately.
The ending that divided the internet
Let's talk about that final scene. Otis and Maeve staring at the moon from different sides of the world.
It was polarizing. People wanted the airport run. They wanted the big kiss in the rain. But Sex Education was never a rom-com; it was a coming-of-age story. The point wasn't that Otis and Maeve were soulmates who would be together forever. The point was that they helped each other grow into the people they needed to be.
Otis learned how to be vulnerable. Maeve learned that she deserved to be cared for. That’s a successful relationship, even if it ends.
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Actionable steps for fans who aren't ready to move on
If you're feeling that post-series void, there are a few things you can do to keep the spirit of the show alive or find something similar.
1. Watch "Heartstopper" for the vibes
If you need something wholesome to balance out the "Is Sex Education over" sadness, Heartstopper is the move. It’s much softer, but it captures that same sense of queer community and teenage discovery.
2. Check out "Big Mouth" for the facts
It’s an entirely different style (and much more gross), but Big Mouth on Netflix actually covers the biological side of puberty with surprising accuracy.
3. Read the Sex Education books
There are official tie-in novels like The Road Trip by Katy Birchall. They aren't the same as the show, but they give you a little more time with the characters in a way that feels canon.
4. Explore real-world resources
The show drew a lot of inspiration from real sexual health organizations. If you actually liked the "advice" part of the show, sites like Scarleteen or Planned Parenthood’s educational resources offer the same non-judgmental, factual information that Otis tried to provide.
5. Follow the cast's new projects
Ncuti Gatwa is killing it in Doctor Who. Emma Mackey is doing incredible film work (look for Emily or Barbie). Connor Swindells (Adam) is a powerhouse in SAS Rogue Heroes. Part of the fun of a show like this is watching the "graduates" go on to do bigger things.
The show is over, but the conversation it started about shame, identity, and communication isn't. We don't need Otis Milburn in a bathroom stall anymore because we've started having those conversations in the real world. That’s a pretty good legacy to leave behind.