Note: Contains major spoilers for Sex Education.

Just like there are many ways to express love, there are many reasons to fall head over heels for Sex Education, Netflix’s latest contribution to the teen-comedy sphere.

Not only did creator Laurie Nunn’s unique take on the ever-awkward topics of puberty and sexual awakening please the critics, but it proved to be a win with audiences – already the series is on track to be seen by 40 million subscribers in a month after its January 11 premiere. And it’s not just because of the show’s unabashed handling of vagina-shaming.



Jon Hall/Netflix Netflix

One of the key reasons audiences were quick to give praise is because of Nunn’s comprehensive inclusion of LGBTQ+ storylines, which were portrayed in a way that is, arguably, unrivaled by any TV show we’ve seen of late. (And we've seen a few.)



Nunn explains to Digital Spy that LGBTQ+ representation is an essential, particularly in the teen genre. “Audiences are looking to see themselves reflected in the characters, as well as watch content from different perspectives, so inclusive storytelling is really important to our show,” she said.

For those of you who haven’t watched Sex Education yet, it follows Otis (Asa Butterfield) who – thanks to inspiration from his sex-therapist mother (played by the ever-glorious Gillian Anderson) – sets up an ad hoc sex-therapy clinic in his school along with his friend/love interest Maeve (Emma Mackey).

Sam Taylor/Netflix Netflix

But the real breakout star of the show is Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), Otis’ openly gay best friend and without a doubt the fiercest dresser of all – which says a lot for a cast full of fierce dressers. His journey is central to the plot, involving cross-dressing, acceptance and an unexpected homage to Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

His story also delves into homophobia and violence – not only does Eric face bullying from confused school thug Adam (before being told that ‘homophobia is so 2008’), but in episode five he’s attacked by a group of men while walking home dressed as Hedwig, no less.



Netflix

But unlike on-screen depictions of these topics seen before, the violence did not feel exploitative or gratuitous. Quite the opposite – the plot point was needed to drive the message home that inclusivity has moved forward, but progress still needs to be made.



“Although this felt truthful and progressive, there’s a fine line to tread between fantasy and veracity, so it felt right to acknowledge (through Eric’s violent encounter) that the world can still be a hostile place for LGBTQ+ people,” says Nunn.

“I was lucky to have a diverse writers room who really helped shape Eric’s story into something as authentic as possible. Ncuti Gatwa also brought so much to the table once he was cast. We worked closely with him to discover the specificity that really makes Eric tick and fed that into the scripts.”

The story subverted tired tropes by keeping the violence to a minimum, and instead focused on the emotional trauma Eric felt from the attack, as well as his slow but steady recovery. Which is thanks, in part, to a chance encounter with an older man dressed in drag.

Soon after, Eric attends church, where he and his family learn the important but often disregarded message that to love others, you must start with yourself. The pastor gets through to Eric and, with a full embrace, he attends the school dance dressed in the outfit that expresses his true self, glitter and all.

Netflix

Ultimately, the incident leads to acceptance from Eric’s parents, played by Doreene Blackstock and Deobia Oparei. Again, Nunn and the production team subverted audience expectations enforced by previous portrayals of African-British families on TV.

“She killed that storyline,” explained Gatwa to Teen Vogue. "I was just really excited about that particular portrayal. ‘Cause I think quite often the black community can be portrayed as really homophobic, and of course, you've got aspects of that, but it's a lot more diverse than that, and it's a lot more forward-thinking than that."

Sam Taylor/Netflix Netflix

In it, Eric’s parents know he’s gay and they’re totally fine with it – they’re just worried about the world around him. He added: "I was just very excited to get to play a character like that. Especially [because] I don't think we've seen many black gay African out teenagers on TV, especially whose parents know."

Many viewers were delighted with the way Eric’s story was handled, taking to Twitter to express their views. One of those fans was Kaila , who described Sex Education as a powerful show. She told Digital Spy: "The most important part about Eric’s story is that his parents and church end up accepting him at the end, which lets him fully embrace the fact that he is gay and can truly be himself.

"As an LGBTQ+ person myself, it was extremely heartwarming seeing Eric be completely accepted at the end and then being able to fully be himself with the make-up and style of his outfits."

Eric’s story wasn’t the only reason Sex Education received praise – far from it. In terms of LGBTQ+ representation, we were shown an all-star school athlete with lesbian mums, a gay female couple who sought the help of Otis’ backdoor therapy sessions and multiple variants of queer experiences between teens and adults alike.

Netflix

Outside of this realm, Sex Education dealt with all kinds of sensitive subjects, from teen abortion to body-shaming, all the way through to that weird sensation of needing the loo after smoking a you know what. And perhaps the most taboo topic of all: love (and all the awkward, fun bits that come with it).



“When I was deciding which topics to explore, I would come back to the central question of what I wish I’d had more information about regarding sex as a younger person,” explains Nunn. “I wanted to capture the sweetness of the teen genre whilst still talking about issues surrounding sex in a funny and frank way.”

Netflix

What’s refreshing about the show is its honesty in handling these subjects, which are weaved together in a hybrid setting – mixing modern life with '80s John Hughes-style nostalgia, balancing heartfelt touches with awkward humour. Sex Education is all about sex (the clue is in the name), but the contents offer audiences so much more than that. Sex is used as a vehicle to explore the giant question marks hanging over so many teens’ heads.



However, one major question remains: will we be getting a season two? The fans are definitely calling for it. While there’s no official confirmation as of yet, Laurie and Co. are already brainstorming ideas.

“I enjoy writing these characters so much, and would just love the opportunity to continue their journeys into another series,” says Nunn. “Fingers crossed!”

Here’s hoping for a renewal – Sex Education is one show we won’t be booting out of bed anytime soon.

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