ON TRUST, TALKING, AND TRUTH
Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, and Ncuti Gatwa of Netflix’s Sex Education discusses season 2 in this MEGA Man exclusive
If the title wasn’t any indication, Sex Education has proven to be the boundary-pushing comedy series worth binging on Netflix since 2019. With topics ranging from masturbation, female pleasure, and sexuality, it has easily become the cult-favorite Netflix series for its daring yet hilarious approach to adolescence.
In its second season, Asa Butterfield returns to play Otis Milburn, a sexually repressed teenager who finally discovers the wonders of his male genitalia. Gillian Anderson also reprises her role as Jean Milburn, Otis’ mother who happens to be a sex therapist. Meanwhile, Otis’ best friend, Eric Effiong, played by Ncuti Gatwa, finds a love interest this season from a mysterious new student in Moordale Secondary.
While Sex Education has no short of funny moments and explicit scenes, it finds a good balance between the importance of family, friendship, and forgiveness. It also touches on serious topics such as mental health, religion, and sexual harassment–all without romanticizing or glorifying it.
Three of the main cast pick up the phone to discuss season 2 with MEGA Man; why the lessons about trust, talking, and truth make the Netflix Original series so beloved all over the world.
From the other side of the world, Asa tells us what trouble Otis finds next in season 2. “What I learned about my character going back to the second season, I mean, he really tries his best but often that comes across badly. It’s something I thought was new in the first season, but there’s definitely parts of the second season that highlight this,” says Asa. “I think that’s good because it’s nice when the lead character isn’t perfect.”
In a nutshell, that’s what Sex Education is aiming for: to talk about things the way nobody else has. It’s honest, funny, and uncomfortable at times, but despite the queasy confrontations, it’s meant to connect to people on a deeper level. To help teenagers feel like they aren’t alone and for the older generation to understand what these kids are feeling, or perhaps even reminisce from their own experience as well.
During the conversation with Gillian Anderson, she points out the importance of the issues featured in season 2. “When you’re a teenager, it feels so much more devastating, so to witness other teenagers going through exactly those things, I would hope that would bring a sense of relief and comfort.”
A show with a brilliant ensemble cast doesn’t go wasted this season. “If you’re a fan of the show, you’re gonna be very happy with this season because everybody’s storyline will be spread out all across Moordale,” Ncuti says. “So it’s very exciting to see different characters come to the forefront and to see new characters shaking up the school of Moordale.”
Packed with heart-warming storylines, diversity, and representation, the conversation continues as Sex Education delivers an impressive Season 2 on Netflix.
“OTIS HAS HIS BAD SIDES... WHICH I THINK IS GOOD BECAUSE IT’S NICE WHEN THE LEAD CHARACTER ISN’T PERFECT.”