Sex Education (2019–2023) is a British comedy-drama series that follows the life of Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), a socially awkward high school student who becomes an unlikely sex therapist for his classmates. The series begins with Otis discovering his talent for giving sex advice after accidentally counseling a classmate. With the help of Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey), he starts a sex therapy clinic in school, offering advice to fellow students struggling with various sexual and relationship issues.
Throughout the series, each character grapples with their own sexuality, insecurities, and relationships. As Otis and his friends confront their demons and navigate the minefield of adolescence, they grow closer together and learn valuable lessons about love, friendship, and acceptance.
Sex Education explores the spectrum of sexuality, offering viewers a nuanced portrayal of bisexuality through the experiences of three characters: Adam Groff (Connor Swindells), Lily Iglehart (Tanya Reynolds), and Ola Nyman (Patricia Allison).
Adam, initially portrayed as the school bully, transforms as he grapples with his sexuality and confronts his own internalized homophobia. His struggle for acceptance is bound up in his rocky relationship with his father, the headmaster of the school. Adam’s coming out is not a moment of triumph but of healing and reconciliation as he learns to embrace himself despite the pressures of his family’s expectations and societal norms. He initially comes out to his classmates in a public profession of love to Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa), an openly gay classmate. He later has trouble coming out to his parents, and when he eventually does, he’s met with acceptance and love, despite his anticipated rejection.
Lily’s character is marked by her eccentric and uninhibited demeanor. At first, she grapples with uncertainty, unsure of how to reconcile her sexual feelings with her own expectations. When she does come to terms with her bisexuality, she does so enthusiastically, sealing the moment with a kiss with classmate Ola.
Ola, another integral bi character, was initially introduced as Otis’s girlfriend, but she begins questioning her sexual orientation when she develops an attraction to Lily. In a pivotal but also light-hearted moment during season two, Ola takes an online quiz that identifies her as pansexual (a label within the bisexual umbrella), leading her to make the connection within herself.
From Adam’s confrontation with internalized homophobia to Lily’s process of self-acceptance, Sex Education not only fosters empathy and understanding but also puts bi representation front and center. The show was generally well received, with media outlets such as Teen Vogue and The New York Times praising it for its portrayal of queer characters.