Sex Education Season 4: Taking a Risk That Ultimately Succeeded

Article Overview

Sex Education's change in setting to Cavendish Sixth Form College brings both advantages and disadvantages, as it loses the authenticity of Moordale but gains a fresh backdrop.

The school change was prompted by the demolition of Moordale's actual location, leading the show to seize the chance for a fresh setting.

By shifting schools, Sex Education breathes new life into its cast by trimming down numerous characters, opening the door for fresh perspectives and storylines, while avoiding an overabundance of cast members.

The series Sex Education made an impactful change in its storyline by shifting its setting, which ultimately proved to be advantageous. The show revolves around Otis, a British teenager who takes on the role of a sex therapist for his confused classmates at Moordale, his secondary school. However, in the season 3 finale, a bold decision was made to close down Moordale, forcing the cast to relocate to Cavendish Sixth Form College for the upcoming 4th season. This new backdrop offers a refreshing change for the show's final installment.

While this shift in setting brings certain drawbacks, such as the loss of key cast members and the authentic chaos of Moordale's atmosphere, the advantages outweigh the criticisms. The decision to close Moordale down also sends a conflicting message, as it is the students' principled stance that leads to the school's closure. Nevertheless, the change in school setting proves to be more beneficial, as it was primarily driven by practical reasons.

Sex Education Had No Choice In Changing Schools

Although Sex Education's decision to change schools was bold, it was a move that the series had no choice but to make. In the first three seasons, an abandoned school in South Wales served as the location for Moordale Secondary School, not only for exterior shots but also for most of the recurring sets. This location was perfect for the Netflix hit, but things became chaotic when the land was purchased by a housing company for a new housing project.

During the filming of season 3, the site was being demolished, resulting in a chaotic filming environment. To deal with this, an impromptu fence had to be put up around the set. As a result, the plot point in season 3 where Moordale is sold to property developers is both a necessity and a joke about the real location's fate. While the show could have reconstructed the old Moordale sets in studios and minimized exterior shots to keep the original setting for one more season, it instead decided to embrace the opportunity presented by the change in settings.

Changing Schools Revitalized Sex Education’s Cast

Sex Education season 4 presents significant cast changes, marking a dramatic difference compared to previous seasons. To seize the opportunity of the school change, the show decided to drop several characters, including Lily, Ola, Anwar, Olivia, and Miss Sands, among others. This decision is particularly risky because the series is known for its strong and well-developed cast. However, it demonstrates a clear understanding of the issue faced by ensemble series, where the cast becomes too large by later seasons. By season 3, Sex Education's cast had become too extensive.

The constant need to introduce interesting new characters each season often leads to shows like Sex Education and Stranger Things becoming overwhelmed with a surplus of characters. Trying to incorporate every major character into the story results in longer runtimes and hampers efficient storytelling. By removing several characters from its core cast, Sex Education makes space for a fresh and diverse range of new voices, while also minimizing the issue of an overcrowded cast. These changes allow the writers to take established characters in intriguing new directions, such as Ruby reevaluating her mean girl persona after losing her entourage.

Cavendish Sixth Form College Is Sex Education’s Manifesto

The contrast between the schools in seasons 3 and 4 of Sex Education is quite noticeable. Moordale, in season 3, is depicted as a chaotic and rundown environment, often toxic, which immediately resonates with viewers. However, in season 4, Cavendish, with its sleek and hyper-ethical atmosphere, seems almost unbelievable. Sex Education has never aimed for realism, as illustrated in the very first episode where students are shown having sex on the main path, creating a heightened world at Moordale. Yet, it is the school's petty, contradictory, and frustrating politics that add a sense of authenticity. Unfortunately, when the season 4 cast arrives at Cavendish, those relatable details that make up the everyday experience of school life are nowhere to be found.

At Cavendish, there is no hostility towards the students, nor among the students themselves. The school is well-funded and genuinely aims to treat its student body with respect, allowing them the freedom to shape their education according to their individual needs. Additionally, the student population has effectively eradicated the toxic culture that perpetuates issues like misogyny and homophobia in many schools. It is evident that Cavendish is not like a real-life school, intentionally designed this way. In its first three seasons, Sex Education highlights the systemic problems intrinsic to secondary education, but in season 4, it presents the utopian Cavendish as an alternative approach.

Sex Education’s New School Clarifies The Period & Setting Confusion

Sex Education's previous perplexing combination of setting and period has caused confusion among viewers. The fictional town of Moordale, designed to be predominantly British with a British-accented cast, ironically showcased many aspects seen in American high schools. The presence of letter jackets, American-style lockers, and extravagant dances only added to the audience's bewilderment. Furthermore, the inclusion of iPhone-using teenagers who also played vinyl records and drove cars from the 1980s and 90s deepened the confusion. While the mixture of cultures was possibly an attempt to appeal to a wider audience, the lack of authenticity could easily detract from the show's engagement.

However, in season 4, Sex Education's Cavendish College takes a different direction by eliminating the uneasy fusion of countries and time periods. The school now exudes a contemporary vibe with its modern design and prevalent use of tablets. There are no longer any traces of the typical American high school elements. Despite these changes, the new setting serves the same purpose as the previous seasons' aesthetics. Laurie Nunn, the series creator, explained in an interview with Radio Times that the visual inspiration drawn from 80s John Hughes movies intends to break away from the negative portrayals often associated with traditional British schools in TV and film. By presenting Cavendish College's vibrant and inviting atmosphere, Sex Education season 4 effectively avoids the problem of misconstrued settings without sacrificing clarity.

Source: The Mirror, Radio Times

Sex Education

Sex Education is a hilarious yet heartfelt series that follows the lives of various students, parents, and staff at Moordale Secondary School as they navigate their awkward and often complex sexual dilemmas. The main focus is on Otis Milburn, a student who, due to his mother's career as a sex therapist and her multiple unattached affairs, develops a cynical view of sex. Recognizing an opportunity to utilize his unique insights and indifference towards sex, Otis and his friend Eric establish an in-school clinic to offer guidance to fellow students facing sexual issues. However, complications arise when Otis finds himself developing feelings for one of his clients.

Release Date: January 11, 2019

Cast: Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Tanya Reynolds, Aimee Lou Wood, Alistair Petrie, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Connor Swindells, Asa Butterfield, Emma Mackey, Patricia Allison

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Rating: TV-MA

Seasons: 3

Editor's P/S

I am really excited about the new season of Sex Education. I think the change in setting will be a great way to shake things up and keep the show fresh. I'm also looking forward to seeing how the new characters will interact with the old ones. I think it's going to be a great season!

However, I'm also a little bit sad to see some of the old characters go. I really liked Lily, Ola, and Anwar, and I'm going to miss seeing them on the show. But I understand that the show needs to evolve, and I'm excited to see what the new season has in store.