If you’re a fan of Sex Education, we’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news? The fourth season of Netflix’s groundbreaking comedy drama has a confirmed release date, and is set to land on our screens on 21 September. The bad? The fourth series will be the last, meaning that we’ll have to bid farewell to the Moordale High gang.

The show’s creator, Laurie Nunn, confirmed the decision in a letter to fans, telling them that while she and her fellow writers were working on season four, it became clear that this was “the right time to graduate”.

“It’s been a while since you heard from us. This autumn, we’re back with season four, coming to Netflix on September 21,” Nunn wrote.

“A lot has happened since our first writers’ room in 2017, when we spent a month in a cramped office above a sex shop, talking about what it felt like to go through puberty. The painful awkwardness, first crushes and big, big feelings.

“We wanted to make a show that would answer some of the questions we all used to have about love, sex, friendship and our bodies. Something that would have helped our inner teenagers feel a little less alone. It’s been overwhelming seeing how the show has connected with people around the world, and we hope it’s made some of you feel a little less alone too.

“Writing this feels bittersweet, as we’ve decided the fourth season will also be the final instalment of our show. This was not an easy decision to make, but as the themes and stories of the new season crystalised, it became clear that this was the right time to graduate.

“We are incredibly proud of Sex Education and feel indebted to our brilliant writers, cast and crew who put so much heart into making every episode. They have worked tirelessly to bring you this final season, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

“Goodbyes are the worst, but let’s celebrate all the good times we’ve had.” Sob.

We’ll certainly miss Otis, Maeve and the gang, but there’s also something to be said for knowing when it’s time for a show to end. Indeed, Sex Education star Aimee-Lou Wood put it perfectly in an interview last year. “I feel like you should always leave them wanting more,” she said. “Always end on a high instead of having people go: ‘I really wish they would stop.’”

Ahead of the new season, here’s everything we know so far about Sex Education’s last hurrah.

What will happen in Sex Education season 4?

After Moordale closed down at the end of season four, Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) are off to Cavendish Sixth Form College, and Otis is feeling a little nervous about setting up a new sex therapy clinic. In the trailer, we see him attempting to introduce the clinic to his new classmates, with a presentation that backfires thanks to an ill-chosen reference to his mum, Jean (Gillian Anderson).

According to the synopsis, Cavendish is a real culture shock for the former Moordale students. While they thought they were pretty progressive, the college is “another level”, with “daily yoga in the communal garden, a strong sustainability vibe and a group of kids who are popular for being… kind?!”

Chinenye Ezeudu’s Viv, who is used to being top of the class, is “totally thrown” by the college’s non-competitive atmosphere, while former head boy Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling) is trying to get over Cal (Dua Saleh).

Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood) tries her hand at A-level art while Adam (Connor Swindells) is trying to work out whether mainstream education is the right choice for him.

Meanwhile, over in the US, Maeve (Emma Mackey) is studying at the prestigious Wallace University, where she is taught by the author Thomas Molloy (Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy).

Who is in the cast of Sex Education season 4? 

All the aforementioned cast members will be back for the show’s last hurrah, along with Alistair Petrie as Mr Groff. However, there are a handful of students who won’t be returning. 

Tanya Reynolds who plays Lily Iglehart in the series, spoke of her “sad” decision to leave the show in an interview with RadioTimes. “I’m not [returning], actually, which is sad, very sad,” Reynolds revealed last year.

She added: “It’s just the natural progression of these shows – when you have such big ensemble casts and so many characters, I think you have to let a few older characters go to make way for newer ones, which is absolutely the right thing, the way it should happen.”

Reflecting on her time playing alien-obsessed student Lily, Reynolds also said: “I loved every minute of it and I loved Lily with my whole entire heart. Three seasons was just a really perfect amount for me.”

Patricia Allison, who plays Ola Nyman in the series, won’t be appearing either, and neither will Simone Ashley, who has since gone on to star as Kate Sharma in Bridgerton, a role she’ll be reprising for the period drama’s third season. 

A number of new faces will be joining the cast, including Jodie Turner-Smith, Dan Levy, Hannah Gadsby and Thaddea Graham.

When will Sex Education season 4 land on Netflix?

We don’t have too much longer to wait – as Nunn mentioned in her letter to fans, the final season will debut on 21 September. 

Images: Netflix