‘Sex Education’: Ncuti Gatwa Weighs In On Adam and Eric’s Breakup

Sex Education Season 3 gives viewers an inside look into Eric and Adam’s relationship. Although the characters have a complex backstory, the couple became a fan-favorite in the new season. When they broke up, some fans wondered if the two would ever get back together. But, Ncuti Gatwa has a different sentiment from the show’s fan base. 

[Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers from Sex Education Seasons 1-3]

Ncuti Gatwa thinks the breakup was a good idea 

Although some fans are upset about Eric and Adam’s split, Ncuti Gatwa has a different outlook on the situation. Gatwa, who plays Eric in the British series, says he’s happy about his character’s decision to break up with Adam. To clarify, Eric cheated on his boyfriend while on a trip to Nigeria. After telling him the truth, Eric decides to call it quits. 

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actor revealed that the separation allows Eric to grow as a person. “I thought it was really good because I felt like Eric made the decision for himself. Throughout the relationship, we’ve seen Eric make a lot of space for Adam and had to be very patient with [him].”

Gatwa continued, “I think in season three, we see the friction between them because they’re at such different places, in terms of their sexual discovery and their journey. When [Eric] went to Nigeria, I think he learned that he needs a lot of space to grow because there are elements to him. He’s Black, Nigerian, and religious. He needs space to be his full authentic self.”

When asked if there’s room for reconciliation, the actor responded, “You never know with Moordale. There’s always a question mark over everything.”

Adam and Eric had a complicated backstory

Before Adam and Eric were lovers, they had a complex relationship. For starters, Adam bullied Eric nonstop. He would call him homophobic slurs and would physically beat him up. But Adam secretly had feelings for Eric – he decided to pursue him romantically. Toward the end of season 3, Adam proclaims his love for Eric in the middle of a school play. 

As Sex Education Season 3 progresses, their relationship turns to turmoil – ultimately leading to their break up. For Gatwa, he believes that Eric needs a partner that is entirely comfortable within themselves. In an interview with Insider, the actor talked about his ideal partner for Eric. 

“I think he needs to be with someone that fully understands the shoes that he walks in and all the different intersections that he represents and sits within,” he explained. 

The actor added, “I think that he needs to kind of understand that he needs to love himself because the world isn’t going to do that for him.” 

When is ‘Sex Education’ Season 4 returning to Netflix?

During the 2021 TUDUM event, Netflix renewed Sex Education for a fourth season. Alongside Gatwa, the fourth season will feature Asa Butterfield (Otis), Gillian Anderson (Jean), Emma Mackey (Maeve), Connor Swindells (Adam), Kedar Williams-Stirling (Jackson), Alistair Petrie (Mr. Groff), Mimi Keene (Ruby), Aimee Lou Wood (Aimee Gibbs), Patricia Allison (Ola), Tanya Reynolds (Lily), Chaneil Kular (Anwar), Mikael Persbrandt (Jakob), and Simone Ashley (Olivia). 

Right now, there is no official release date for Sex Education Season 4.