Sex Education season 4: Everything you need to know

Sex Education season 3 hit Netflix way back in September 2021, so we're already patiently anticipating the next series. Yep, Otis and the gang will be back for a whole new term of chaos.

Here's what we know about Sex Education season 4 so far, from an expected release date to the cast members that are returning (and the ones that aren't!) as well as any trailers or glimpses we've had at the next season. You're welcome.

What have the cast said about Sex Education season 4?

Most recently, Aimee Lou Wood opened up to Bustle in December 2022 about changes we can expect for her character Aimee in Sex Education season 4. "She’s not got her best friend with her, she’s not got a boyfriend for the first time ever," Aimee explained.

"Also, she’s at this new school and she doesn’t have any mates. But what’s so amazing is that through art, Aimee finds something that connects her to herself. I’ve always felt that Aimee isn’t stupid, and people think that she is. She’s so astute and emotionally intelligent, and has an incredible imagination. This season, she realises that she has a brilliant brain and has got loads to say." Can't wait to see her in action!

In mid-April 2022, Asa Butterfield, who plays Otis Milburn, revealed filming hadn't yet started on the fourth season, telling Digital Spy, "We haven't started filming yet. But we are planning to start filming soonish. And that's about all I can say."

Aimee Lou Wood, who plays Aimee in the show, hinted to Radio Times that season four might be the last. Speaking about if she wants to play the part forever, Aimee said, "I'm not sure because there's a part of me that could just do it forever. But there's also a part of me that's like, 'No – we've all got to go and do different things and play different parts.'

"We can't be like 50 saying, 'Freshers week!' So it's a weird one. It's a bittersweet thing because it probably is, even if it's not this series, it probably is closer now to ending than it is to the start. Which is sad but also probably in many ways, will be positive. I always think leave them wanting more as well. Always leave them wanting more."

Even before season 4 was officially confirmed, the cast certainly seemed to be up for it, as well as potential spin-offs. Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK, Asa Butterfield revealed, "[I want a] Christmas movie! Sex Education-themed." He added, "We don’t know [whether there will be more.] It’s out of our hands at this point. I wish I could tell you more, I genuinely don’t know."

Asa also touched on whether he'd be open to a Sex Education spin-off, adding, "A spin-off would be good but it has to be well-thought out and really unique and not just for the sake of doing a spin-off.

"I’d love to do a fourth season, because we have so much fun on this show," he continued, before hinting that he wouldn't mind calling it quits either. "At the same time we’ve been doing it for three years now, and I’d be happy saying goodbye to these characters… We’ll have to see," he said.

"It'd be really nice to see her actually living out a dream for herself. What does that do to a person, and how does that change you? What kind of happiness does that give you? And all the anxieties that come with being away from home," she said, before adding an 'if' to season 4: "If we get to it, it will be a lovely thing to witness."

How will Sex Education season 4 be different?

We're super excited to dive back into Sex Education for a new season. However, it looks as though this series is shaping up to be a little different - partly down to cast exits, as well as a brand new plot and characters.

Leading cast member Asa Butterfield (who plays Otis Milburn) shared some major updates for the next season in an interview with Radio Times. Speaking to the publication Asa said: "I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to tease. But we're in the new school, new locations and things have changed up a bit. And we've got some new characters."

Asa added the cast were all excited for a new season, even though it will different to the previous seasons, he said: "The show's definitely sort of evolved somewhat. But it's still got the core team involved and it's been fun – I mean we all know each other so well at this point, so it's a great time and it's a laugh."

Cast member Aimee Lou Wood (who plays Aimee Gibbs) also opened up about how things are changing for season four. She told Digital Spy, "The characters feel like they're in very new territory because they literally are, they're at a new school. A lot of our feeling slightly off-centre is actually also just because of what is happening in the story which is that they are [at] a new school."

The actress went on, "Aimee, particularly, her best friend's in America, she doesn't have a boyfriend for the first time ever, she's at a brand new school where she doesn't have any mates. So there's a lot of newness for all of the characters and I think that that does make the show feel very new."

On top of new cast members, Aimee also revealed that season four comes with different directors and different writers working behind-the-scenes, adding, "so it's very, very, very new which can also be exciting." As for new and old team mates, the actress shared, "We definitely love all the new additions, they're all amazing, but we also definitely miss the people who exited, we really do miss them."

Us too!

Is there a Sex Education season 4 trailer yet?

We'll have to wait until closer to the season 4 release date for any teasers. But in mid-August 2022, Gillian Anderson, who plays Jean Milburn, did share a behind the scenes pic from filming, which has acted as a bit of a teaser. "Jean’s baaaaaack! @sexeducation," the actor wrote in the caption, to her 2.5million followers.

Let's also remind ourselves of the drama that was the season 3 trailer:

What is Sex Education season 4's expected release date?

Netflix hasn't confirmed a release date for season 4 yet, but we likely won't see it released until at least late 2022. So far, we've had one series each year - with season 1 airing in January 2019, followed by season 2 in January 2020 and season 3 premiering in September 2021 due to delays caused by the pandemic.