Fans of Sex Education are feeling a complicated combination of emotions after learning that the show will return very soon for its final episode.
Season 4 of the famous programme, starring Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa, Gillian Anderson, Emma Mackey, and Aimee-Lou Wood, is set to launch on Netflix in September this year, when the adolescent protagonists begin a new school.
Rakhee Thakrar, who plays English instructor Emily Sands in the programme, was said to be leaving before the first teaser for the new season was revealed.
This, however, does not appear to be the case.
Last year, Rakhee, 39, told the Daily Star: ‘I’m not part of the new series. I can’t really talk about why… There is nothing bad about Sex Education.’
Nonetheless, in the Netflix announcement concerning the cast returning and joining Sex Education for the fourth season, it read: ‘Asa Butterfield leads the cast as Otis Milburn, alongside Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Aimee-Lou Wood, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Mimi Keene, George Robinson, Chinenye Ezeudu, Dua Saleh, Alistair Petrie, Samantha Spiro, Jim Howick, Rakhee Thakrar and Daniel Ings.’
Rakhee was not the only member of the Sex Education ensemble that announced their departure from the programme.
In July last year, Ola star Patricia Allison, 28, said on a radio show: ‘I absolutely have loved being on Sex Education so so much, and playing Ola but unfortunately, I won’t be joining the team for season four
She added: ‘Some other opportunities have come up. So, I’ve been doing it for three years and I’ve like genuinely loved it.’
Just over a week later, Tanya Reynolds, 31, stated that she will not be resuming her role as Lily.
When asked if she would be returning, she answered: ‘I’m not, sadly. I will miss the gang a lot, but onwards!’
Meanwhile, Simone Ashley, 28, said in April last year that it was time to say goodbye to her character Olivia, after becoming a household name because to her leading role as Kate Sharma in the second season of Bridgerton.
When asked if a return in the fourth season was on the cards, she replied: ‘I get asked that all the time, no. I’m a Bridgerton gal now!’
Sex Education season 4 is due to premiere on Thursday September 21 on Netflix.
