Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa: Unveiling the Profound Personal Transformation Ignited by the Sensational Netflix Series
Discover how Ncuti Gatwa's transformative journey on Sex Education unveils a powerful narrative of acceptance and self-discovery, shedding light on the enduring message of love and self-acceptance
Summary
Ncuti Gatwa, who plays Eric on Sex Education, credits the show for helping him find his people.
Gatwa's encounter with racism instilled in him the perception that he would consistently have to combat adversity throughout his life. However, portraying the character of Eric demonstrated to him that he can discover a supportive community. This portrayal of a strong and unabashed character like Eric underscored for Gatwa the significance of representation.
Ncuti Gatwa, who plays the confident and outgoing character Eric Effiong on Sex Education, revealed how his portrayal of the character has contributed to his personal growth and allowed him to discover his community. The Netflix series, which first premiered in 2019, revolves around the students and staff of Moordale, a British high school, as they navigate questions of sexuality and identity. Alongside Asa Butterfield, who plays the role of Otis Milburn, the show explores the strong friendship between their characters and Otis' creation of a sex therapy clinic at the school. The fourth and final season of Sex Education will premiere on September 21, 2023.
During an interview with Elle before the SAG-AFTRA strike and leading up to the fourth season of Sex Education, Gatwa discussed the significance of his time portraying Eric in terms of his personal development. He mentioned that the show has helped him overcome "internalized hatred" that he had experienced due to racism throughout his life. Gatwa had previously believed that these ignorant beliefs were widespread and that he would constantly have to fight against them. However, his involvement in Sex Education demonstrated to him that finding a community is possible. Playing a character like Eric, who is both fearless and unapologetic, reinforced for Gatwa the importance of representation. Gatwa's statement can be seen below.
Sex Education's Enduring Message Of Acceptance And Self-Love
: My entire life has been marred by racism, and though I have always possessed unwavering self-belief and recognized the ignorance and lack of education amongst racists, it did, to some extent, distort my perception of the world. This distortion led me to believe that everyone shared these prejudiced viewpoints and that I would perpetually contend against discrimination. Nevertheless, I eventually discovered that this is not the case: it is indeed possible to discover a community, to find individuals who resonate with you.
While primarily a comedy, Sex Education delves into the complexities of modern-day conflicts by depicting characters who confront both hateful ideologies and stigmas. In a particularly poignant moment during season 1, episode 5, Eric becomes the victim of a homophobic assault and robbery while walking home. As a result of this traumatic experience, his once vibrant personality becomes subdued, and viewers are confronted with the harsh realities of extreme homophobia, which is undoubtedly one of the show's darkest and most significant themes.
Playing Eric in Sex Education comes with its own set of challenges, as revealed by the show's star. While taking on this role and exploring untold stories, it wasn't always a joyful experience for Gatwa. Despite having a dedicated fan base, Gatwa's decision to leave the show after season 4 may have contributed to its conclusion in 2023.
Season 4 of Sex Education will see Eric and the other Moordale alumni attending a new secondary school, introducing fresh character dilemmas in a updated setting. Although the plot details for the upcoming season remain unclear, viewers can be confident that Gatwa will have an active role.
Sources: Elle
