‘Sex Education’ Is ‘Not the Real World’: ‘We Wanted to Try to Transcend Time’
Netflix’s Sex Education, the 2019 teen comedy centered around the escapades of Otis Milburn, played by Asa Butterfield, is set in the British countryside, yet it feels distinctly American. While it features a British cast attending Moordale High, the students engage in American football, and there are numerous references to American pop culture.
Still, the elements within the series are primarily British, seeing as the cast has a predominant British accent, and it is filmed in South Wales. What’s more, the show seems to transcend time in that it includes references and gadgets that make it appear modern, yet the set and the clothing worn by the cast give off ’80s retro vibes.
The setting of the series
Gillian Anderson is quoted in The Guardian, stating how with the help of the Netflix team, the series took on a timeless approach. While the students are presented as having cell phones, the series has a throwback, nostalgic feel. Anderson reiterates how the series has a bit of both worlds moving from a space where viewers predominantly have technology that ensures they have access to information to one in which said technology does not impede old-school socialization.
The fictitious life at Moordale High appears to mimic a no man’s land that is rife with pop culture. The outfits, while predominantly American, have a slight throwback feel which makes the show popular among audiences of various age groups. The initial plot was expected to take on the tried and tested character nuances and give them the familiar touchstones that make them relatable for British and American audiences.
‘Sex Education’ is predominantly placeless and timeless
It can be argued that to gain knowledge and respect, especially as it pertains to sex education, it would be best to adopt a timeless view on the subject matter. This premise is what the witty yet heartwarming series is essentially based on. The placeless, timeless approach gives viewers a more social realist version of the show.
While the show tackled technology-based issues such as revenge porn and depicted the students, including Otis having iPhones, production does not focus on these elements. Specifically, these are not in the foreground as you would expect of a teenage comedy-drama. Instead, this is replaced by teenagers riding their bikes and involving themselves in young-adult activities with what could best be explained as reckless abandon.
The show’s aesthetics appeal to a transatlantic audience
The show’s creator Laurie Nunn and executive producer, Ben Taylor, designed the show to give off a Britain-meets-America vibe. This deliberate decision is anticipated to help the show connect to audiences in both countries.
For starters, while Jean and Otis’s house is located in the Wye Valley, there are lots of American-inspired elements within the interior. This collision of styles between the American and British staples makes it possible to yoyo between different time phases.
In retrospect, the production was able to render the school experience a positive thing. By including both American and English attributes, school and sex are painted on a slightly more expansive canvas. This amalgamation makes the characters more relatable, consequently giving the script a more heightened quality.
Concisely, Sex Education is mainly timeless. While the cars, clothes, and gadgets on set are from the ’80s, there are several present-day references. For instance, in season one, there is a reference to Kelly Clarksons ‘Stronger’ which casts the series to the present times. Besides, the cast is seen using iPhones, further cementing just how current the project was. Overall, the nostalgic backdrop works seamlessly with the contemporary themes and storyline to present a timeless story.
