Sex Education season 4 release date for final season — everything we know so far

Asa Butterfield as Otis Milburn looks at Mimi Keene as Ruby Matthews in Sex Education on Netflix, both will likely return for Sex Education season 4

(Image credit: Netflix)

Love is not dead, just on hold, in Sex Education season 4. Netflix's announced its latest installment of the British comedy (which is one of the best Netflix shows) is coming back this fall. The original announcement came from cast members Ncuti Gatwa (Eric) and Kedar Williams-Stirling (Jackson) during the streamer's TUDUM event.

Season 3 dropped on Sept. 17, 2021, but Netflix wasted no time renewing the popular series. The finale left off with quite a few dangling threads. Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) ended his fling with Ruby (Mimi Keene), then he and Maeve (Emma Mackey) finally confessed their feelings for each other. But a new obstacle stands in the way of their relationship: Maeve is studying abroad in the U.S.

All of the students' lives are set to change after their protest against headteacher Hope Haddon (Jemima Kirke) resulted in Moordale High being shut down. Where will Otis and friends go for their final year?

Here's everything we know so far about Sex Education season 4.

Sex Education season 4 release date confirmed

A long time after we expected it, Sex Education season 4 is coming on September 21, 2023. And it's going to be the final season, as creator Laurie Nunn explained in this letter to fans:

Sex Education creator Laurie Nunn's letter to fans explaining season 4 is the final season, which reads &quot;SFX EDUCATION A LETTER TO THE FANS It's been a while since you heard from us. This Autumn we're back with season 4, coming to Netflix on September 21. A lot has happened since our first writers room in 2017, when we spent a month in a cramped office above a sex shop, talking about what it felt like to go through puberty. The painful awkwardness, first crushes and big, big feelings. We wanted to make a show that would answer some of the questions we all used to have about love, sex, friendship, and our bodies. Something that would have helped our inner teenagers feel a little less alone. It's been overwhelming seeing how the show has connected with people around the world, and we hope it's made some of you feel a little less alone too. Writing this feels bittersweet, as we've decided the fourth season will also be the final instalment of our show. This was not an easy decision to make, but as the themes and stories of the new season crystallised, it became clear that this was the right time to graduate. We are incredibly proud of Sex Education and feel indebted to our brilliant writers, cast and crew who put so much heart into making every episode. They have worked tirelessly to bring you this final season, and we can't wait to share it with you. Goodbyes are the worst, but let's celebrate all the good times we've had. Laurie xo&quot; — (Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix confirmed the renewal of Sex Education season 4 on Sept. 25, during its TUDUM global event. Watch the announcement video below:

As for a possible Sex Education season 4 release date, it's likely to be late 2022. The series is on an one-season-per-year schedule. Season 1 dropped January 2019, season 2 in January 2020, with season 3 debuting September 2021 due to pandemic-driven production delays.

Sex Education season 4 teaser trailer

Otis takes the stage at Cavendish College to introduce himself in the Sex Education season 4 teaser trailer, and (unsurprisingly) he soon reveals TMI.

Sex Education season 4 cast

Netflix confirmed the Sex Education season 4. That list is led by Asa Butterfield as Otis Milburn and Gillian Anderson as his mother, Dr. Jean F. Milburn.

Other returning cast members include:

Emma Mackey as Maeve Wiley
Patricia Allison as Ola Nyman
Ncuti Gatwa as Eric Effiong
Connor Swindells as Adam Groff
Aimee Lou Wood as Aimee Gibbs
Kedar Williams-Stirling as Jackson Marchetti
Mimi Keene as Ruby Matthews
Dua Saleh as Cal Bowman
Alistair Petrie as Michael Groff, Adam's father and former headmaster at Moordale
Samantha Spiro as Maureen Groff
George Robinson as Isaac Goodwin
Chinenye Ezeudu as Vivienne Odusanya
Daniel Ings as Dan
Rakhee Thakrar as Emily Sands
Jim Howick as Mr. Hendricks

The following new cast members have been added, per Netflix:

Dan Levy (Schitt's Creek)
Thaddea Graham (Doctor Who)
Lisa McGrillis (Somewhere Boy)
Marie Reuther (Kamikaze)
Jodie Turner Smith
Eshaan Akbar
Felix Mufti
Anthony Lexa
Alexandra James
Reda Elazouar
Bella Maclean
Imani Yahshua

Sex Education season 4 story

Before getting into possible Sex Education season 4 storylines, let's recap how season 3 left off.

Otis and Maeve finally admitted their feelings for each other, but their budding relationship was put on hold when Maeve left for months-long study program in the U.S.

Jean gave birth to baby Joy, but she, Otis, Ola, and Jakob may not be one big happy family after she received the shocking results of the paternity test. Jakob might not be the father after all!

After trying out an official relationship, Eric broke up with Adam, whom he cheated on during his trip to Nigeria. Adam was ready to forgive him, but Eric doesn't want to be tied down.

And in the biggest development of all, the students' protest against headteacher Hope worked — she was fired — but they learned that Moordale's investors sold the school.

This is the official Netflix copy for Sex Education season 4:

Following the closure of Moordale Secondary, Otis and Eric now face a new frontier - their first day at Cavendish Sixth Form College. Otis is nervous about setting up his new clinic, whilst Eric is praying they won’t be losers again. But Cavendish is a culture shock for all the Moordale students - they thought they were progressive but this new college is another level. There’s daily yoga in the communal garden, a strong sustainability vibe and a group of kids who are popular for being… kind?! Viv is totally thrown by the college’s student-led, non-competitive approach, while Jackson is still struggling to get over Cal. Aimee tries something new by taking an Art A-Level and Adam grapples with whether mainstream education is for him. Over in the US, Maeve is living her dream at prestigious Wallace University, being taught by cult author Thomas Molloy. Otis is pining after her, whilst adjusting to not being an only child at home, or the only therapist on campus…

We also expect to see how Otis and Maeve's relationship fares while she's studying abroad in the U.S. Can they make long-distance work? Meanwhile, once the paternity test results are revealed, it'll be interesting to see what happens to Jean and Jakob and their co-parenting partnership.

Eric's breakup with Adam also seemingly sets up the latter to bond with (and maybe more) Eric's other ex, Rahim. Love triangle alert! Then there's the friendship growing between Cal and Layla, who are both non-binary. Could that develop into romance?

TOPICS

Kelly is the managing editor of streaming for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.