Top 5 Reasons to Watch Sex Education

When you start the first episode of this show, you’ll find yourself wondering whether it’s set in the past or the present. And also whether it’s taking place in the UK or US. All of this is intentional, and gives the show a universal and timeless feel. While the accents are all British, the school they attend incorporates American traditions that you wouldn’t typically come across in the UK. The episodes are also shot beautifully, and the show clearly has a very high production value, giving it a cinematic feel that you’re probably not used to seeing in a TV program. The varied soundtrack only adds to the aesthetic.

From the moment she first appears on screen, it’s clear that Gillian Anderson is going to be a total boss. Playing the main character’s sex therapist mom, Anderson steals the show in every scene she’s in, and makes us idolize her even more than we already did. She doesn’t have to carry scenes on her own however, because she’s surrounded by a young cast who make the characters feel like completely real people. Asa Butterfield is sympathetic and convincing as protagonist Otis, and Ncuti Gatwa and Emma Mackey deliver incredible performances as Eric and Maeve respectively.

The premise of the show is that protagonist Otis is a typically awkward teen whose mom happens to be a renowned sex therapist. He takes what he’s learned from her over the years and starts giving out sex and relationship advice to his peers at school. This provides an opportunity for the show to cover a wide variety of real life sexual questions that teenagers may have, and to tackle issues that often go uncovered on mainstream TV shows. The content really feels like a breath of fresh air, taking on subject matter in a nonjudgmental way that will undoubtedly help young adult viewers.

Abortion continues to be a controversial topic, but “Sex Education” offers up an episode that treats it as simply and accurately as possible. Their effort to demystify and destigmatize abortion has drawn praise from a number of sources. Actress Emma Mackey told Teen Vogue that the cast had a medical expert on set who guided them through the procedure to ensure it was as realistic as possible. The show also allowed the teen character to be confident in her decision, making it clear that she simply wasn’t ready to have a child, and had made her mind up from the outset.

Perhaps the most notable thing about “Sex Education” is the diversity of its cast. The show tackles race, sexuality and class issues seamlessly, without making it seem forced or unnatural. Both the main and background characters come from a range of ethnic backgrounds, and the LGBTQ community is well represented too. While it’s lighthearted much of the time, it doesn’t shy away from real world problems - such as when Otis’ best friend Eric is subject to homophobia and violent discrimination. When it comes to both issues of race and LGBTQ concerns, “Sex Education” feels effortlessly progressive - just another reason to love to show.