Netflix’s Sex Education has been rightfully heavily praised for the way it has broken down boundaries, focusing on topics often neglected by other shows, all while being uplifting and comedic. Huge attention to detail has been placed into the series from the creators and the actors, and it has all paid off with two fabulous seasons. The show has become incredibly popular, making stars out of the actors involved as fans patiently wait for confirmation of a third season.
Its reachability is high as the story is uplifting and the characters are easy to connect with, which is why many viewers have learned a lot about the show. Fans might have taken in the plot of the show in as much detail as possible, but there are still elements that many fans missed out on. Here are 10 hidden details about Sex Education, you may have missed.
True Stories
There is no doubt that Sex Education has connected with audiences, both young and old because the show is so relatable. There are so many different plots that reach out to different people from varying walks of life, from religious aspects to sexual preferences.
One of the main reasons that the show has been able to do that is because the writers use real stories to fit into the show. While not everything is based on a real-life example, a large majority of the show’s plot has happened to people writing the show, which is why it is so easy to connect.
Otis’ Dancing
One of the best scenes from the second season of Sex Education comes when Otis makes the decision to have a house party. Even though he just wants it to be a small gathering things quickly get out of control and Otis makes the decision to get unbelievably drunk.
Within the scene, he does a lot of crazy dancing, including a point where he even takes his own shirt off. These moves weren’t something that Asa Butterfield was told to do, as he actually admitted that these were his own dance moves, as he wanted Otis to have his own distinct style.
Vomit Scenes
Speaking of that moment where Otis gets out of control with his drinking, of course, what quickly follows is him vomiting. Obviously, Asa Butterfield isn’t really throwing up, and he revealed that they used a mix of Innocent Smoothie and Weetabix to get the texture and look of the sick.
He actually went on to admit that it “tastes quite nice.” However, the only issue they had was with the key grip on the show who has a very sensitive gag reflex and struggled to get through filming those scenes when someone else was vomiting.
Maeve’s Caring Instinct
On the outside, Maeve might seem like she has a very tough shell, making her appear to be someone who isn’t easy to break down and doesn’t care about others. However, when you take a look at all of the love interests she has over both seasons, it is clear that she has a caring instinct.
Everyone she dates or is attracted to ends up needing looking after in some way. Whether it’s because they’re emotionally struggling like Jackson, or aren’t confident like Otis, Maeve loves an underdog, which is a callback to the fact she was never really loved by her own mother.
Mrs. Groff
The character of Mrs. Groff becomes far more important during the second season of Netflix’s Sex Education. She stands up to her husband and tries to explore her sexual activity a lot more, which leads to some fascinating scenes as she becomes a key character.
Samantha Spiro, who plays the character, took on the role originally knowing that there would be bigger parts coming in the second season. The show didn’t want to cast a supporting artist in the first season as they had plans for the character long-term, so people were pleased that Spiro took on the role and trusted them.
An Homage
Sex Education is written by British writer Laurie Nunn, and she utilized this opportunity in order to pay homage to some classic movies from the 1980s. That’s why a lot of the show has a feel for that era, with the clothing and the way certain elements are shot.
Nunn intended for the show to be a homage to John Hughes’ high school films of the 1980s. Therefore this show is a tribute to classic movies such as Pretty in Pink and The Breakfast Club, which is clear to see when you watch it.
American Feel
Speaking of those classic American high school movies, one of the ways that Sex Education pays homage to those is by having the English school, Moordale Secondary, have a very American feel. Using lockers and American Football’s or Letterman jackets was done on purpose, even though they’re not found in real English high schools.
The main reason that this decision took place is so that the show is more accessible to international audiences. Having a blend of English and American high school ideas meant that the show would connect with more people.
Super Smash Bros
Otis is a big video game fan. That is something that’s made clear throughout both seasons as he enjoys playing with friends and doing it in his spare time, with his go-to game being Super Smash Bros. He plays it with Eric and it is something that is mentioned a few times throughout.
While the show could have used any game for Otis to play, there is a distinct reason why it is the Nintendo classic. That is because Asa Butterfield is actually a massive fan of the game in real life and actually plays it competitively, therefore the show decided that it had to be that one.
Intimacy Co-Ordinator
Obviously, a show that is named Sex Education is always going to have certain love scenes, and the hit Netflix series certainly has plenty. But in order to get it right, they actually went out of their way to hire an Intimacy Co-Ordinator in order to get everything spot on.
Whenever they filmed any form of a sexual scene, whether it be solo or with someone, the actors were made to follow along with certain beats. Knowing when to ramp things up a notch in their behaviors and when to calm it down, making sure that everything was as natural and realistic as possible.
Alternative Scenes
Once again, the second season of Sex Education ended with Otis and Maeve not quite managing to get in sync with their feelings to tell each other what they really want. It left fans with a sense of frustration, but also a major desire to see more content.
However, there may very well be a world where they do end up together at the end of season two. That’s because it has been confirmed that an alternate ending was actually shot in secret. While it isn’t known exactly what happened in that alternate ending, or if we will ever find out, it certainly does exist.
