Ncuti Gatwa Says His Time on ‘Sex Education’ Wasn’t ‘Always Joyous’: ‘It Was Very Hard’
12.07.2023 - 17:35
/ usmagazine.com
Ncuti Gatwa has some fond memories of his time playing Eric on Netflix’s Sex Education — but the experience wasn’t always smooth sailing.
“It was very hard. It was such a big show,” the actor, 30, who appeared on the show from 2019 to 2023, said in an interview with Rolling Stone UK, which was published on Monday, July 10. “When you’re telling stories that haven’t been seen before, there’s always a battle as to how to tell them.”
Gatwa pointed out that the show went through growing pains with its storytelling. As a result, he supports the decision to end Sex Education after four seasons because the cast has “outgrown” the experience.
“It wasn’t always joyous. I feel like we’ve outgrown it, and we’ve given everything we can to it,” he shared. “Being on it fast-tracked me into the downsides of this industry. I remember being told by an executive producer that white people wouldn’t understand my character, Eric, which incensed me. There’s an entire show there for white people to understand.”
Sex Education explores the stories of high school students Otis (Asa Butterfield), Maeve (Emma Mackey), Eric (Gatwa), Ola (Patricia Allison) and more as they deal with ups and downs in their daily lives — including topics such as sexual intimacy.
As season 4 wrapped up filming earlier this year, Gatwa shocked fans with the news of his exit. “Last day. Last time. Bye bubs, thank you for all the lessons and for all the strength✨,” Gatwa, who joined the cast of Doctor Who in 2022, captioned a February Instagram photo from set.
Gatwa’s update on his character’s conclusion came after Allison, 28, previously announced that she would not be reprising her role.
“I absolutely have loved being on Sex Education so, so much … but unfortunately, I won’t be