Summary

• Ola's absence in Sex Education season 4 presents a major story concern as she was closely connected to the main cast, particularly Otis and Jean Milburn.
• While Lily's absence is easier to explain, her storyline had run its course by the end of season 3 and it is unclear what her arc would be without Ola.
• Both Ola and Lily's departure from the series made space for new, exciting characters representing various sexual identities and orientations, but their absence was still missed and left unanswered questions.

While Lily was a beloved character on the show as well, the Sex Education season 4 Ola absence had a bigger impact. Sex Education was known for its extensive cast of colorful characters with Ola and Lily emerging as two of the best on the show, thanks in no small part to their charming romance. Sadly, with several cast exits before the final season, neither Lily nor Ola returned for season 4. While this is a shame in both cases, only Ola's absence will present a major story concern due to her close relation to the main cast, particularly Otis and Jean Milburn.

Both Ola and Lily are introduced in Sex Education season 1 before eventually becoming a couple. Ola is Jakob's daughter and eventually moves in with Otis and Jean Milburn when Jean and Jakob take their relationship to the next level. She also became a good friend to Adam Groff, sticking up for him when he was fired from his job and standing by him during his loneliest times. Lily worked as an eccentric character on her own, but Ola was woven into the lives of several main characters in a way that made removing her damaging to the season 4 storyline.

Without Ola, Lily's Story Has Run Its Course

In contrast to Ola, Lily's absence is much easier for Sex Education season 4 to explain. While Lily has been well-liked by many viewers for her quirky attitude and relationship with Ola, she is only really connected to the main cast — Otis, Eric, Maeve, Adam, and Jean — by virtue of being Ola's girlfriend. With Ola gone, it is unclear what Lily's arc would be, as her goal of learning to accept herself was mostly resolved by the end of season 3.

Despite Ola's departure presenting more logistical issues for Sex Education season 4, both characters were missed. Their romance was a highlight of season 3, and they provided an authentic representation of young LGBTQ+ teens coming to understand their sexuality. However, their leaving the series also made space for new, exciting characters to the Sex Education season 4 cast who also represented a number of sexual identities and orientations.

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Ola's Absence Hurt Otis And Jean's Story

With Ola not returning for Sex Education season 4, it hurt one of the main storylines in the series. Ola and Jakob had become a very important part of Otis and Jean's life, creating a new family dynamic with a new addition on the way. However, with Ola leaving the show, Jakob had to follow his daughter as well. Given the developments of last season and the fact that Jakob was established as a good man who would never abandon his new family without good reason, Sex Education season 4 revealed he wasn't the father of Jean's baby.

Though this set up a mystery for the final season, it was never a very compelling question for the final season and the reveal wasn't very memorable either. It would have been much more interesting to see how the family dynamic with Jakob and Ola continued to work. The show could still have dealt with Otis feeling overlooked by his mom and Jean dealing with her postpartum depression while fitting Jakob and Ola into those storylines.

With the expanding cast of the final season, the necessity to lose some of the established characters is understandable. However, Ola and Jakob were important enough that it would have been nice to see them return at least for a proper sendoff or to close out their storylines. Jean even discusses the pain of losing Jakob as she wanted to raise her baby with him. For him and Ola to leave Sex Education without any follow-up leaves it as a heartbreaking question to linger forever.