Sex Education: Emma Mackey Confirms Exit as Jodie Turner-Smith Joins Cast

Ahead of the forthcoming premiere of Sex Education Season 4 later this year, series vet Emma Mackey confirmed that she will not be coming back for the popular teen drama’s potential fifth season, which currently has not yet been ordered by Netflix.

Speaking with RadioTimes, when asked about the future of Sex Education, Mackey revealed that she had just completed filming her scenes for the upcoming fourth season, where she already said farewell to her fan-favorite character Maeve.

“Season 5? I’ve just finished the fourth one last week!” Mackey said. “No, I don’t think I’ll be in season 5. I’ve said goodbye to Maeve.”

Mackey, who most recently won the BAFTA Rising Award, gained recognition for her breakout role as Maeve in Sex Education. She previously starred in the murder mystery remake of Death on the Nile and the biographical drama Emily. She will next be seen starring opposite Margot Robbie in Greta Gerwig’s highly-anticipated film adaptation of Barbie.

In addition, Sex Education Season 4 has also welcomed the addition of Jodie Turner-Smith, who was invited to appear in the Netflix series by Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa. In an interview with Variety, Turner-Smith teased her character as someone who’ll be connected to Eric’s storyline.

“First of all my scenes were with Ncuti Gatwa … and he’s my favorite character on the show,” Turner-Smith said. “So when he called me and asked me to do it I was like, I don’t care how much they’re paying I’m doing.”

Sex Education currently stars Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Aimee-Lou Wood, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Mimi Keene, George Robinson, Chinenye Ezeudu, Dua Saleh, Alistair Petrie, and Samantha Spiro.

Sex Education hails from writer and creator Laurie Nunn, with Eleven set as its producer. Writers include Sophie Goodhart, Selina Lim, Mawaan Rizwan, Temi Wilkey, and Alice Seabright, with additional material from Jodie Mitchell. Season three is directed by Ben Taylor and Runyararo Mapfumo, with Taylor, Laurie Nunn, and Jamie Campbell serving as executive producers.