From Euphoria to Sex Education – how to get sex in teen dramas right

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “It’s about comedy as well.” That tone was set from the very first vignette, which showed a “full-on”, unguarded and ungraceful sex scene between Aimee and boyfriend Adam. “ wanted this to be an alternative, really lifting the lid and helping open out the conversation about sexual content.” In a 2020 interview with Glamour, Wood said of that first season: “I thought, think of the young girls that are going to be watching this and going, ‘Oh thank God, that’s what I do,’ or, ‘We don’t always look perfect.’” O’Brien stresses that Netflix shows shouldn’t be used in place of comprehensive, “age-appropriate” sex education, which she passionately believes should discuss “anatomy and consent boundaries” and how they integrate with emotions and relationships. “I think it’s really important that our intimate lives, our relationships, and therefore our sexual encounters, are included in our storytelling.” Still, O’Brien is the first to admit that sex on screen, especially when depicting teenagers, isn’t always done well. “I thought you’d like that,” he tells her, genuinely bemused, with Cassie yelling back: “Why the f*** would I like that?” open image in gallery Cassie and McKay in 'Euphoria’ When season one aired, I argued in defence of Euphoria’s use of sex and nudity.