TV Show review
Review basis: 4 seasons · through September 21, 2023
January 11, 2019 · TV-MA · Ended
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Sex Education follows socially awkward British teen Otis Milburn, whose mother is a sex therapist, as he teams up with sharp classmate Maeve to run a secret school sex advice clinic. Across four seasons the series tracks the students' romantic, sexual, and personal dramas with blunt humor and emotional honesty. It places strong emphasis on LGBTQ+ experiences, gender identity exploration, consent, and sex positivity through recurring storylines and dialogue that challenge traditional norms around masculinity, family, religion, and relationships. Later seasons, especially the final one, increase focus on non-binary and trans characters alongside diverse casting that highlights identity visibility.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Sex Education.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent and recurring LGBTQ+ characters plus ethnic and disability diversity in lead/supporting roles; later seasons add visible gender-identity characters; fits UK school setting but emphasis on identity signaling is audience-visible.
Woke political dialogue
Frequent direct, educational-style exchanges promoting consent culture, sexual pleasure, rejection of gender stereotypes, and framing homophobia/religious conservatism as harmful.
Identity-driven story themes
Core plots and character growth heavily revolve around sexual orientation discovery, queer relationships, gender fluidity/non-binary identity, and reconciling queerness with family/heritage; queer elements dominate emotional arcs especially from season 2 onward.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Critiques traditional masculinity (e.g., bully-to-vulnerable male arcs), conservative school authority, and religious views on sex as restrictive; mostly personal/interpersonal rather than broad anti-capitalist or systemic Western-institution attacks.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Multiple viewer posts, articles, and reviews specifically call season 4 (and the series overall) too woke for identity emphasis, PC messaging, and reduced humor in favor of lessons; right-leaning complaints about agenda-driven content are documented.
Creator track record context
Creator Laurie Nunn has highlighted trans inclusion citing real-world attacks; several writers have careers centered on queer, disability, or Black identity themes; one director (Kate Herron) has prior documented commitment to LGBTQ+ representation; overall pattern supports progressive identity focus.
Production
