One of our favourite things about the Netflix’s hit original series Sex Education when it was first came on the scene was the fact it introduced us to a diverse range of young acting talent, most of whom have little to no experience in the world of TV and film so far.
However, if you’re anything like us, you’ll have spotted that more than a couple who were a little familiar when you were first diving into the show.
Here’s where you’ve seen some of the cast before, including some of the new additions for season three...
Asa Butterfield
At just 24 years old, Asa Butterfield is still in the early days of his career, but you still might remember him from his childhood roles in films like The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas and Hugo, as well as the TV series Merlin.
More recently, he appeared in Journey’s End and Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children, but is now best known for his role as lead character Otis in the Netflix hit Sex Education.
In 2019, he also appeared in the big-screen satire Greed, alongside Steve Coogan and David Mitchell.
Kedar Williams-Sterling
In Sex Education, Kedar plays Head Boy and love interest to Maeve, Jackson Marchetti.
Prior to landing a role in the Netflix show, he appeared in the first three series of the CBBC show Wolfblood, where he starred as Tom Okanawe.
Mimi Keene
Most of the “Untouchables” in Sex Education have only a few credits to their name, but Mimi, who plays Ruby, will be a familiar face to soap fans.
She played Cindy Williams for two years in EastEnders – who was famously left struggling with the murder of her half-sister, Lucy Beale – until her sudden departure in 2015.
Tanya Reynolds
Tanya’s character in Sex Education is the clarinet-playing, alien-fan-fiction-writing Lily, who first makes a move on Eric, and then Otis.
Before she was snapped up by Netflix, she appeared in the Sky series Delicious, playing the daughter of Dawn French and Iain Glen’s characters.
Alistair Petrie
As the headteacher of Otis, Maeve and Eric’s school, Alistair Petrie’s character Mr Groff attempts (usually unsuccessfully) to bring a bit of order to what is usually a chaotic environment.
Alistair has a varied background, with roles ranging from General Draven in the Star Wars spin-off Rogue One to multiple parts in the mind-boggling Cloud Atlas. You might remember him best from the recent BBC adaptation of The Night Manager, though, in which he starred as Lord Sandy Langbourne.
Rakhee Thakrar
Rakhee plays English Literature teacher Miss Sands, who pops up on occasion throughout the first series of Sex Education, often attempting to light a fire under Maeve and get her to see her full potential.
What you might have missed is that Rakhee was previously best known as Shabnam Masood in EastEnders, who was at the centre of plenty of dramatic storylines during her two years in Albert Square.
Mikael Persbrandt
Swedish actor Mikael stars in Sex Education as handyman Jakob, an eventual love interest for Otis’ mum, Jean.
If you thought his face looked familiar, that’s probably because you remember him from playing Beorn in The Hobbit or, if you’re of an artier persuasion, perhaps you saw him in the Danish thriller In A Better World, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film back in 2011.
Jim Howick
Away from the science lab and swing band, Jim Howick is known for his various comedy roles, including the family sketch show Horrible Histories and playing Gerard in Peep Show.
He does have more serious acting parts to his name, though, most notably as Aaron Mayford in the third series of Broadchurch.
Samantha Spiro
Samantha stars as Mr Groff’s wife and Adam’s mum, Maureen, and is best known for her work as a comedy actress in the likes of Cold Feet, Tracey Ullman’s various shows and the Simon Amstell sitcom, Grandma’s House.
More recently, she played Detective Taylor in London Spy and Melissa Tarly in one episode of Game Of Thrones.
She’s also portrayed Barbara Windsor on at least three separate occasions, including the TV films Cor, Blimey! and Babs.
Hannah Waddingham
And speaking of Game Of Thrones, you might recognise Hannah from her portrayal of Septa Unella, well-remembered for her cries of “shame!” in one of the show’s most iconic scenes.
In addition to playing the pushier of Jackson’s mums in Sex Education, Hannah is also a two-time Olivier recipient, starring in stage shows like Spamalot, A Little Night Music and a West End production of The Wizard Of Oz.
Sharon Duncan-Brewster
Hannah’s on-screen wife, Sharon plays Roz Marchetti in Sex Education.
To us, though, she’ll always be Crystal Gordon from Bad Girls, but you might remember her 15-episode stint in EastEnders from back in 2009, where she played Trina Johnson.
Lily Newmark
Lily plays Ruthie in the first series of Sex Education, who we quickly learn is having difficulties with her girlfriend.
Before that, though, she impressed us with her performance as Iona in Pin Cushion, and she later appeared in the Star Wars spin-off Solo.
Daniel Ings
Seen only briefly as one of Jean’s conquests, Daniel played lothario Luke in the Netflix comedy Lovesick (previously known as Scrotal Recall during its time airing on Channel 4).
He also appeared in another of the streaming platform’s original shows, playing Commander Mike Parker in the first two series of The Crown.
Connor Swindells
Playing school bully (and eventual love interest for Eric) Adam Groff in Sex Education was undoubtedly Connor Swindells’ breakout performance.
However, you may have seen him more recently in the intense BBC drama Vigil.
Jemima Kirke
Jemima Kirke is a new addition for Sex Education’s third series, where she’s playing Headmistress Hope.
The character is a far cry from her most famous role, that of Jessa in the hit sitcom Girls. You might have also seen her in the Netflix drama Maniac, and she’s also set to play Melissa in the BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Conversations With Friends.
Gillian Anderson
Yes we know, Sex Education isn’t exactly Gillian Anderson’s break-out performance, but just in case you weren’t familiar with her work prior to seeing her play Jean, she previously appeared in The X Files and The Fall.
She’s now a firm member of the Netflix family, and you can also catch her in action as Margaret Thatcher in the fourth series of The Crown.
Series three of Sex Education is available to stream from 17 September.