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Warning: Sex Education spoilers ahead

Sex Education has finally given us an official first look at its upcoming fourth and final season, which will hit Netflix in September.

A few weeks after the streaming service confirmed that the series of the raunchy British teen comedy-drama would be its last while sharing a one-minute teaser trailer, a slate of new images has given us insight on what to expect before the show officially comes to an end.

The snaps see series regulars such as Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) sharing a laugh with his BFF Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa), while Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey) sits in a library during her further studies in America.

Dr Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson) has welcomed a new member to the family, while Adam Groff (Connor Swindells) looks in the midst of an important heart-to-heart with his overbearing and cold father, Michael.

Netflix captioned the first look pictures: “New places, new problems. here’s your first look at sex education season 4.”

Meanwhile, as one of the main characters of Sex Education, Ncuti recently spoke about one of the reasons why the show is ending, telling Rolling Stone: “I feel like we’ve outgrown it, and we’ve given everything we can to it,” potentially referencing the fact that the cast is growing older.

He also revealed that tackling the big topics on Sex Education wasn't always easy, adding: “It was very hard; it was such a big show… When you’re telling stories that haven’t been seen before, there’s always a battle as to how to tell them. It wasn’t always joyous.”

The show itself has, of course, made a statement about the show coming to a close, writing to fans: “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.” Read the full message here:

So what do we know about the fourth and final season of our beloved Sex Education? Picking up following the season three closure of Moordale Secondary due to lack of funding, the new trailer shows Otis (played by Asa Butterfield) embarrassing himself as he introduces himself to his fellow peers as he and Eric start their first day at Cavendish Sixth Form College.

Of course, there are plenty of cheeky giggles as he hilariously leaves his classmates disgusted by declaring that he spends much of his free time "thinking about sex" before declaring: "I've learnt everything I know about sex from my mum". While we all know that his mother, Dr Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson), is a successful sex therapist, his classmates do not, which further amps up the shock factor.

There's also a further snippet of our favourite characters who left us with so many questions at the end of season three. Namely, did we end up shipping Otis and Ruby over Otis and Maeve? And who exactly is the father of Jean's baby?!

So, what can we expect from the fourth instalment? Here's everything else we know about Sex Education season four:

What is the plot of Sex Education season 4?

The official Netflix synopsis for season four reads: “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, while 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?!”

It's added: "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 U.S., Maeve is living her dream at prestigious Wallace University, being taught by cult author Thomas Molloy. Otis is pining after her while adjusting to not being an only child at home or the only therapist on campus.”

In an interview with GLAMOUR, Laurie Nunn, the show's creator, said of following on from season three: “I do sometimes get a bit scared when we leave on a really big cliff-hanger, and then I think, Oh no, what if we don't get to continue this storyline? What if series three ends and Maeve goes to America, and then we never see these characters again? That would be quite heartbreaking, but I think you've got to take the risk and try and leave people wanting more.”

Who stars in Sex Education season 4?

Returning cast members include Asa Butterfield (Otis), Emma Mackey (Maeve), Gillian Anderson (Dr Jean Milburn), Ncuti Gatwa (Eric), Connor Swindells (Adam), Aimee Lou Wood (Aimee), Mimi Keen (Ruby).

We will also see the addition of seven new characters, including most excitingly Dan Levy, best known for playing David Rose in Sex Education. Doctor Who's Thaddea Graham, Marie Reuther, Felix Mufti, Anthony Lexa, Alexandra James and Imani Yahshua will also join Dan as new cast members.

Anne Boleyn actress Jodie Turner-Smith is also part of the line-up after the show's beloved star Ncuti Gatwa personally invited her to be a part of it. “First of all, my scenes were with Ncuti Gatwa, who – I DIE for him – and he’s my favourite character on the show," she said at the BAFTAs 2023 in London. "So when he called me and asked me to do it, I was like, I don’t care how much they’re paying, I’m doing."

As for who won't be returning – Bridgerton star Simone Ashley (Olivia), Patricia Allison (Ola), Tanya Reynolds (Lily), and Rahkee Thakrar (Emily) will be absent from this season.

When will Sex Education season 4 be released?

The fourth and final season of Sex Education will hit Netflix on 21 September.

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