It’s been six months since the Season 4 Finale of Sex Education hit Netflix, and if you’re missing the series, you’re not alone. Earlier this year, it was announced that there won’t be a season 5, because the show’s creator felt that this last series was a good enough farewell to the characters, and felt working on a new season would be “bittersweet”. And showrunner Laurie Nunn is right: Sex Education kept us company for five years, as we watched Otis (Asa Butterfield), the inexperienced teenage son of a sex therapist (Gillian Anderson), grow up and become a completely different person – and, with him, everyone around him.
If Season 1 centered on the underground clinic Otis opened at his high school with fellow outcast/future love interest Maeve (Emma Mackey), the other seasons introduced many more characters – both teens and adults – that each had their quirks and issues to deal with, from Otis’ best friend Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) to fellow students Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood), Adam (Connor Swindells), Ruby (Mimi Keene), Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling), Lily (Tanya Reynolds), Ola (Patricia Allison), and many more. But if you’re missing the beloved Netflix series, we are here to help: we made a list of 5 shows to watch if you liked Sex Education! Find them all below in alphabetical order.
1. The End of the F***ing World
(2017-2019)
Based on the popular comic book series by Charles Forsman, The End of the F***ing World took the world by storm when Season 1 was released, back in 2017, and only became more popular with Season 2. What makes this Netflix show the perfect series to watch if you liked Sex Education is its perfect blend of humor, drama, and charm. While, unlike Laurie Nunn’s show, there aren’t any adults with prominent roles in The End of the F***ing World, the show’s charming protagonists might as well be, as they are teenagers with real-life issues, who are just trying to survive it all.
At the center of the show are 17-year-old outcasts James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), each with their own mental health issues and trauma. Noticing similarities in their respective approaches to life, one day they decide to take their own path and embark on a road trip. The trip’s purpose? Finding Alyssa’s father, who left her and her mum when she was a child. What will actually happen on it? Pretty much anything you can think of, and more. The End of the F***ing World is a show that will keep on surprising you till the very end, with hilarious scenes, surprisingly violent twists, and grounded moments that are bound to make you emotional.
2. Heartstopper
(2022,-)
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are Heartstopper is already one of your all-time comfort shows. But if you haven’t heard of it yet, prepare for your next obsession! Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels of the same name, this queer coming-of-age series mainly revolves around a friendship between highschoolers Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) that soon becomes something else. Throughout the two seasons that have been released so far, the show explores their growing feelings for one another but also follows Nick’s circle of friends.
Among the most beloved characters are Elle (Yasmin Finney), Tao (William Gao), Isaac (Tobie Donovan), Tara (Corinna Brown), Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), Ben (Sebastian Croft) and Imogen (Rhea Norwood), joined by new arrivals in Season 2, such as Naomi (Bel Priestley), Felix (Ash Self), Sahar (Leila Khan), James (Bradley Riches), and more. Just like in Sex Education, every single one of these characters is imbued with personality and a rich backstory, and just like in Sex Education, there are some interesting adults too, such as Nick’s mom Sarah (Olivia Colman) and teachers teachers Mr. Ajayi (Fisayo Akinade) and Mr. Farouk (Nima Taleghani).
Not only that, but Heartstopper also has an irresistible visual style that will draw you in from its very first scenes, making it impossible not to love its charming protagonist and the way he sees the world. Read our review of Heartstopper and stay tuned for more episodes soon, as Season 3 is officially in production!
3. The Sex Lives of College Girls
(2021-2022)
What do small-town girl Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet), extroverted journalist-wannabe Bela (Amrit Kaur), popular New Yorker with a secret Leighton (Reneé Rapp), and soccer-loving U.S. senator daughter Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott) have in common? These four strangers are roommates at Essex College, and we follow them from their first year of uni, as their friendship grows and they overcome a serious of challenges – some more serious than others. If the premise sounds familiar, it’s because it is. The Sex Lives of College Girls doesn’t exactly reinvent the college series formula, and if you think you know what you’ll find here, you’re probably right.
The Sex Lives of College Girls is definitely not perfect, but the ingredient that makes it stand out in a crowded genre are showrunners Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, who give us characters that are so likeable that we could watch them be their wonderful selves for hours. Just like Sex Education, the series tackles timely themes and is important for representation, but it’s also a genuinely charming show. If you’re a fan of Mean Girls, check it out!
4. Skins
(2007-2013)
Here’s a completely different kind of show! This time, we’re in Bristol, England, with hours and hours of binge-worthy material, as there are 7 seasons available. Season 1 came out in 2007, and the series is certainly a product of its time. But it was also revolutionary upon release for its blunt approach to themes like sex, drugs, queerness, mental health and identity, but also controversial issues like teenage pregnangy, eating disorders, and a lot more. And on top of that, it gave us so many characters to root for, each with their own storylines, making this the defining show for an entire generation.
If you like Sex Education, you’ll definitely find a lot to enjoy in Skins too, from a huge ensemble of characters to the themes, to the sheer personality of it all. Another defining element is that the cast is replaced every two seasons, when the students leave school, which gives even more characters to root for!
5. Young Royals
(2021,-)
Swedish drama Young Royals was another sensation in 2021, when it hit Netflix. What’s truly unique about it is that not only is it a coming-of-age queer drama about a teenager, but its protagonist is also one of the titular royals. Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding) is sent to an elite boarding school by his parents, who hope to teach him a lesson about responsibilities, but what he finds there is a complete new world that he has to adapt to. Not only that, but he soon finds himself torn between his duties and his desires, which makes watching this blossoming romance even more compelling.
Season 3 of Young Royals hits Netflix on March 11, which gives you even more binge-worthy content to look forward to! If you like Sex Education, you’re bound to enjoy this charming, one-of-a-kind series about privilege, responsibility, and love.
Thes 5 shows to watch if you liked Sex Education listed above are all series that have a lot to offer and a huge fanbase. Although they have garnered widespread acclaim, everyone has different tastes and not everyone shares in their enthusiasm. To respond to negative reviews is a vital way of understanding multiple perspectives, even more so with art, as it’s very subjective. But if you find yourself drawn to one or more of the series above, be sure to check them out! These 5 shows offer a rollercoaster of emotions, laughter, and thought-provoking narratives and each have something unique to offer. Happy watching!
