Emma Mackey, the Maeve actress on the hit series ‘Sex Education’, has hinted that the upcoming fourth season could mark the end of her tenure on the show. The Netflix series, which follows the escapades of high school students navigating their way through the ups and downs of love and relationships, stars Mackey alongside a talented cast including Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa, Aimee Lou Wood, Connor Swindells, and Gillian Anderson.
In an interview with Total Film (via Games Radar), Mackey spoke candidly about her future on the show, acknowledging that the cast is now considerably older than the characters they play and that it may be time for her to “gracefully exit”. Her comments have sparked speculation among fans about how the show might continue without Maeve, who has been a central figure since the beginning:
“It’s just always tricky, it’s different when you’re playing a character that is sort of stuck in time. You know, we’re playing 17-year-olds, and we’re all almost 30, it is a bit weird. It’s a blessing because it is a launchpad, and it is something that has given us opportunities in different ways but it’s something that I want to gracefully exit from, and be happy that it exists and protect it and enjoy it in the time that it has existed in but yeah, it needs to be left alone now I think. […] We can all move on and take what we learned from Sex Ed as well because it has been a school, quite literally, for all of us. It’s just wonderful to have had that education and to have that baptism of fire and to have just been flung into that whole world. I think it’s made us stronger.”
Sex Education has been a popular show on Netflix for three seasons, and the production of the fourth season has recently come to an end. The series is expected to be released later this year, but news has emerged that Sex Education season 4 will look drastically different. Several cast members have already been confirmed as not returning, including Patricia Allison, Tanya Reynolds, Simone Ashley, and Rakhee Thakrar. The biggest news regarding possible cast departures is that of Ncuti Gatwa, who plays the fan-favorite character Eric.
Eric’s departure will be a significant loss for the show, as the character has become a beloved figure among fans. However, Gatwa has been cast as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who, which means his commitments to that show will make Sex Education season 4 his last full season on the show. Gatwa’s departure comes as a surprise to fans, who have grown to love his portrayal of Eric.
Along with Gatwa’s exit, there is news that Emma Mackey, who plays Maeve, may also want to step away from the show. Mackey’s departure would mean that Sex Education could be losing one of its two main stars. However, season 4 is already shaping up to be something unique, with Moordale Secondary School closed and Maeve studying abroad in the U.S.
The departure of several cast members and significant character changes may offer viewers a significant departure from what they are used to seeing. As the characters embrace their considerable life changes, season 4 may see the show come to an end, or it could help the series adapt into something new for a potential fifth season.
While the departure of key cast members may be difficult for fans, it also presents an opportunity for the show to explore new avenues and storylines. With new characters, settings, and narratives, Sex Education could continue to be a compelling and entertaining show. Fans will eagerly await the release of season 4 this summer to see how the show handles these significant changes and what the future holds for Sex Education.
So what are your thoughts about Maeve’s exit? Let us know in the comments.
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