Ola Nyman (Patricia Allison) is a supporting character in Netflix’s British teen comedy Sex Education. She begins her journey as a cashier at a local convenience store and as the daughter of Jakob Nyman (Mikael Persbrandt), a rugged handyman who often repairs the home of protagonist Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield). Despite their occasional clashes, Ola fiercely defends her father, especially since her mother’s passing from cancer a few years prior.
Ola’s bi identity emerges organically across the series. In Season 1, she dates Otis despite his unresolved feelings for Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey). Yet, their relationship survives this tension temporarily, but by Season 2, the love triangle drives a wedge between them. Seeking connection elsewhere, Ola grows close to Lily Iglehart (Tanya Reynolds), an eccentric classmate obsessed with extraterrestrial romance. What begins as friendship soon blossoms into something deeper, with Ola recognizing an attraction she can’t ignore.
The show’s handling of Ola’s sexual identity is both humorous and poignant. In a standout scene (Season 2, Episode 5), she takes an online quiz that labels her as pansexual — a moment played for levity as she discusses the results with coworker Adam Groff (another character grappling with being bi). With a clear mind and without hesitation, Ola acts on her feelings, kissing Lily, who reciprocates after initial surprise. Their relationship becomes one of the series’ most enduring pairings.
Ola’s reaction to the quiz — “Do you notice guys or girls? Both. I thought everyone did” — captures a truth familiar to many bisexual individuals: the realization that their attraction isn’t universal, but also that there are many others like us out there. Her lack of internalized shame is also remarkable: the only barrier she finds is a lack of words, not a problem. Her storyline in Sex Education contributes to the show’s overarching themes of acceptance, understanding, and embracing one’s genuine self.