Fan Forum - View Single Post - Sex Education #3: "It's that educational dynamic to Sex Education that makes it a show worth far more than cheap thrills."

Penny Lane · 04-08-2021, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Jean Milburn is certainly complex, and whilst appearing a confident sex therapist who knows who she is, Jean is not always honest to herself and struggles with intimacy. Anderson subtly conveys her insecurity despite an outer shell of confidence; perhaps she brushes her hair back hesitantly, takes a deep breath at the wrong time, or holds her hands together tightly. They are little signals that Jean is not one-dimensional comedy. The lack of boundaries, the painful openness of Jean that is incredibly awkward do make her hilarious and proves that Anderson can do both drama and comedy.

In both Sex Education and The Fall, Anderson plays older women confident with their sexuality and comfortable with having a sexual relationship with younger men. Some critics call it bold, but it’s sad that it should be. Anderson normalises not only a woman-led drama but places a woman over forty with an open sexuality centre stage, in a refreshing stance that we need to see more of.