15 Shows like Sex Education That Are Coming-of-Age Teen Dramas

Sometimes the answers you’ve been looking for tend to be in the unlikeliest of places. This is the case for the characters in the show Sex Education, one of the most streamed series ever. Now, we know you’ve binged through this great show and may be looking for more like it. This is where we come in, as we’ve gone through the stress for you, curating a list of 15 shows like Sex Education.

Sex Education features former child star Asa Butterfield as Otis, alongside a large ensemble cast which includes The X-files’ Gillian Anderson, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa and others in substantial supporting roles. The plot centers on the lives of the students at the fictional Moordale Secondary School, located in a relatively quiet English town of Moordale. The students all deal with their own respective issues, from family drama to romance to sex, with Otis becoming a sex and relationship therapist of sorts for the students of his school.

This comedy-drama series was as widely watched as it was widely praised, most especially for the colourful characters scattered throughout its story and the great chemistry between characters like Otis and his best friend Eric. If you’re looking for more shows that capture similar sentiments and are just as entertaining, well, look no further as here are 15 shows like Sex Education for you to stream at your leisure.

1. Misfits (2009)

Also set in the UK, and with a similar tone to shows like Sex Education, Misfits is a coming-of-age story which follows the lives of five delinquents who mysteriously acquire superpowers after being caught outside during a thunderstorm during court-mandated community service.

Each superpower mirrors each of their characters, and makes for quite a fascinating watch. It debuted to critical acclaim, and was praised for its wacky humor, witty banter, as well as its sometimes darker tone. It’s a fun show about a bunch of outcasts who gradually grow into their own. If that isn’t relatable then I don’t know what is.

2. Euphoria (2019)

Set in East Highland, Euphoria might as well be the US equivalent to Sex Education. This show follows a set of teenagers schooling in the same high school, in the fictional town of East Highland, coping with different troubles and issues, ranging from sexual abuse, addiction, dangerous gangs and bullying.

Released on HBO, Euphoria has become one of the most talked about series similar to Sex Education. It has earned numerous nominations and awards, including an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. Euphoria has one of the more unique aesthetics in TV, if you’re interested in feasting your eyes on some beautiful cinematography then make sure to watch Euphoria.

3. The End of the F*ing World (2017)**

The End of the F***ing World is an offbeat coming-of-age drama similar to series like Sex Education. The show is centered around 17 year old James, a self-prescribed psychopath who has decided to pick his first victim, and Alyssa, played by Jessica Barden, a rebellious teen who aims to use James to escape from her dull nightmare of an existence.

Praised for its weird atmosphere and deadpan humor, The End of the F***ing World built something of a cult classic mostly due to its uniqueness. It was a critical success, boosted by captivating and nuanced acting performances from Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden who both showcased some great chemistry. This is a show you should definitely check out.

4. Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001)

Apart from the already well known piece of trivia about rap legend, Drake, starting off his showbiz career on this show, Degrassi: The New Generation, same as shows similar to Sex Education, is more mature than it seems on the surface, especially for a teen drama.

The show is centered around an ensemble cast all schooling at the fictional Degrassi Community School, while they all deal with issues ranging from teen pregnancy, bullying drug abuse, body dysmorphia, and many more shows. Issues that are rarely explored in such depth, in shows like these. Degrassi: The Next Generation remains relevant till today, and you should definitely give it a watch regardless of age.

5. I Am Not Okay With This (2020)

I Am Not Okay with This follows the story of Sydney, a teenage girl who is dealing with the usual troubles of life in high school, with her family, and of dealing with her sexuality. Things get more complicated when she wakes up one day suddenly to find herself possessing some supernatural powers.

Filled with the usual charms of teen shows similar to Sex Education, I Am Not Okay with This is a more than interesting watch, garnering favorable reviews from critics and fans alike. There’s a lot to enjoy in this superhero teen drama mix, and it’s highly recommended for any fans of either… or both.

6. Freaks and Geeks (1999)

Again, the outcast story is always a fascinating watch. Freaks and Geeks, similar to series like Sex Education, follows an odd bunch of high schoolers, in this case two distinct groups referred to as the freaks and geeks. It is centered on Lindsay Weir and her younger brother Sam, who move to a fictional suburb of Detroit known as Chippewa.

Freaks and Geeks definitely catapulted into a status as a cultural phenomenon and a cult classic, which makes use of a bit of dark humor, hilarious stereotypes all grounded by some great acting performances from its large ensemble cast. This is a show that has appeared in many Greatest Shows lists, and a little look at its first few episodes will give you a hint as to why.

7. Skins UK (2007)

One of the more controversial shows since the turn of the century, Skins is a British teen comedy drama similar to series like Sex Education, which weaves some really dark and depressing themes into its hilarious storyline. Topics like mental illness, sexuality, substance abuse, bullying and death, are all explored with a good sense of maturity by the show runners.

Skins built a cult following just as the show immediately preceding it on this list. It has been praised for its grounded and true depiction of the issues that youth living in Britain go through, and has even spawned a few plans for a spin-off, which unfortunately didn’t materialize. Regardless, the original show hasn’t aged even a bit, and you should definitely make sure to watch this one if you enjoyed Sex Education.

8. Elite (2018)

We’re headed to Spain for Elite, a show set in a fictional high school called Las Encinas, home to some of the wealthiest children in the country. The show centers on three middle class students who have gotten the chance to attend this prestigious school through the help of a scholarship program.

Elite is definitely a binge worthy show, and will keep you entertained till the next season of Sex Education comes around again. It’s one of Netflix’s most popular series garnering fans from Spanish speaking countries and non-speaking countries alike. Its beautiful setting and high production value really elevates a premise that may have been badly fleshed out has it ended up in less capable hands.

9. Far From Home (2022)

A Nigerian coming-of-age series, Far From Home debuted on Netflix in winter of 2022. Similar to series like Sex Education, it also follows a group of teenagers at a secondary school. It especially focuses on Ishaya, a teenager who, similar to the previous show on this list, gets to attend a prestigious school with the help of a scholarship program, and finds it a bit difficult fitting into his new environment.

It was well received by fans, with praise reserved for its writing, visuals, and impressive acting performances by the large ensemble cast. If you’re looking for something completely new and different from what you usually watch, especially in terms of setting, then this is the show for you.

10. Please Like Me (2013)

Please Like Me is a comedy-drama series similar to shows like Sex Education. It’s an Australian TV series that follows the story of a young man named Josh, who is going through some dramatic changes in his life. He gets his heart broken by his girlfriend when she breaks up with him, and slowly comes to the realization that he might be gay.

This show is elevated by the performance of Josh Thomas in his role as Josh. It’s a show with a lot of heart, and has been praised for portraying gay characters with more nuance and not just as mere stereotypes. Please Like Me is a sweet and quaint comedy which you can just kick your legs back, relax, and watch in your free time. Please do?

11. Fresh Meat (2011)

Fresh Meat is a comedy series similar to Sex Education, and other coming-of-age shows. It follows a group of six students, who are about to move on to the next stage in their lives, which is university. Vod, Oregon, Josie, Kingsley, JP and Howards gain admission into Medlock University in England, and soon find each other forming a strong friendship despite their differences.

This show is full of funny gags and comical actors. Fresh Meat has been billed as a university version of The Inbetweeners, another show coming up on our list. And just like the latter, this is one show you definitely need to give a watch if you enjoy shows like Sex Education.

12. Awkward (2011)

Awkward follows the story of a high schooler Jenna, and in the same vein as series like Sex Education, high school brings with it a lot of issues including fitting in with other students, sex and friendship. To help her cope she gets some less than appropriate advice from her school counselor Val.

This is a show with a good amount of depth, especially for a teen drama. Awkward garnered favorable reviews from fans and critics alike, getting placed on a lot of critics; top ten lists including The New York Times’, The Huffington Post’s and IMDB’s. Give this a watch if you enjoyed Sex Education.

13. Everything Sucks (2018)

Set in the 90s, Everything Sucks follows the story of a real-life town named Boring, Oregon. Similarly to shows like Sex Education, we have a bunch of high schoolers dealing with issues like mental health, growing up, gaining responsibilities and sex. It debuted on Netflix in 2018, but was unfortunately canceled after one season.

Everything Sucks is a good nostalgia flick, with some heartfelt writing and acting from its ensemble cast. It debuted to favorable reviews, and actually starred Euphoria’s Sydney Sweeney in a recurring role as Emaline Addario, a couple years before she made her big break on the HBO show.

14. Derry Girls (2018)

Derry Girls follows the story of a 16-year old girl living in Northern Ireland in the 1990s during the final years of a time period known as The Troubles. She attends a girls’ Catholic Secondary School known as Our Lady Immaculate College where she deals with the usual high school drama with friends and her fellow students.

Chock full with some dark humor and a talented ensemble cast, it has been praised for its charm and grounded portrayal of characters and themes. Derry Girls became a huge hit in Northern Ireland, as well as other regions all over the world. No matter where you’re from, there’s a lot here for you to enjoy… and relate to, especially if you’re a fan of shows like Sex Education.

15. The Inbetweeners (2008)

The Inbetweeners follows the story of four sixth-formers, namely Will, Simon, Jay and Neil. In the same vein as series similar to Sex Education, The Inbetweeners follows the misadventures of these teenagers as they deal with the complexities of school life, helping each other through it all with the help of a tight friend group.

This British coming of age drama has been praised for capturing the regular experience of a group of sixth formers. It has been compared to other shows on this list, especially Skins, and may leave you nostalgic for a time you may never have even experienced in the first place. Enjoy!