The end of Sex Education and the story of Otis and Maeve explained by the creator

Laurie Nunn justifies herself: “Ultimately, I find it more romantic in a way…”

Love stories end badly, in general. Everyone knows this refrain made famous by Rita Mitsouko. And this musical maxim can now also be applied to Sex Education. Spoiler alert!

The last episode of the series was very emotional. At the end of season 4, the Moordale students have all reached a milestone in their personal development. Cal, Jackson and even O, the show’s new sexologist, ended up accepting themselves as they were, despite their differences. Eric, in conflict with his religion and his faith as a Christian, ended up having an epiphany: he wants to become a pastor, to advance tolerance within the Church. So many life stories anchored in their time and once again written with admirable kindness.

But the question that burned most fans of Sex Education was the simplest of all: were Otis and Maeve going to finish the series together? Or would their romance strewn with pitfalls be shattered by a final obstacle?

As we saw coming since the start of this fourth season, Maeve made the choice of personal development to the detriment of her romantic feelings. She chose to leave Otis to return to America and launch her budding writing career. A new life begins for her. He stays behind, in his English countryside. No happy ending for the Netflix teen star couple, and the creator, Laurie Nunnexplains his choice in the British Elle magazine:

“The narrative that always attracts me is the one that is in a gray area, where you find yourself in a mixed feeling, between happiness and sadness. I really like the idea that you could have had this incredible first love . After that, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be together forever.”

Laurie Nunn confides despite everything that Maeve and Otis were forever “changed“by their history,”for the best.” And she insists: “Ultimately, I find it more romantic in a way than if they got together at 17 and then stayed together forever.”

Sex Education has never been a romantic series and this conclusion is in line with the spirit that it has always sought to share: creating dialogue, exchanges, on sometimes delicate subjects. “I know in families, sometimes different members of different generations have seen the show and then it has helped start conversations with each other. That’s cool. But more than anything, I hope that people will remember the characters in a fond, loving way. Because at the end of the day, that’s why you watch TV: it almost feels like you’re hanging out with your friends.”