10 characters in Sex Education ranked by emotional growth

Sex Education isn’t just a show about "excited" teenagers fumbling their way through high school crushes, awkward conversations, and, well, s*x. It’s a coming-of-age rollercoaster filled with laughs, tears, and some of the most authentic emotional arcs we’ve seen on TV in a while. Set in the fictional Moordale Secondary School (which, let’s be honest, is suspiciously stylish for a British high school), the series dives into love, identity, family, trauma, and growth with a rawness that hits harder than Otis trying to talk dirty for the first time.

Across four seasons, we’ve seen characters bloom, fall apart, stitch themselves back together, and stumble forward. Some of them started as emotional wrecks and ended up as surprising pillars of wisdom. Others...well, bless their hearts, they tried.

So, who evolved the most emotionally throughout the series? Who faced their demons and came out stronger? And who still needs a few more sessions in Jean Milburn’s office? Let’s dive into 10 characters from Sex Education ranked by emotional growth!

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on on writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.

10 characters in Sex Education ranked by emotional growth

10) Ruby Matthews

Let’s start with our surprise softie. Ruby began as the typical "mean girl" with a biting tongue, a wardrobe that could kill, and a serious superiority complex. But underneath that icy exterior? A girl with a fragile heart, a complicated home life, and more depth than anyone gave her credit for.

Her brief relationship with Otis was one of the biggest turning points for her. She let her guard down, showed vulnerability (even telling him she loved him - ouch), and opened up about her father's illness. Even though things didn’t work out romantically, Ruby’s emotional maturity post-breakup was miles ahead of where she began. She didn't regress into cruelty but instead evolved into someone who valued her self-worth.

9) Adam Groff

Let’s be honest, season 1 Adam was the worst. He bullied Eric, repressed every emotion under layers of toxic masculinity, and had a generally punchable face. But wow - what a journey.

Adam’s transformation was slow, painful, and deeply satisfying. He explored his s*xuality, owned up to his feelings, mended fences with Eric (sort of), and even tried to fix things with his emotionally distant father. His bond with Madam, the dog, was weirdly wholesome and said so much about his need for connection. His poetry in season 4? Gut-wrenching and beautiful. He might not be a philosopher-king yet, but the dude has come a long way from angry hallway shoving.

8) Jackson Marchetti

Popular kid, school swim champ, and Moordale’s golden boy - Jackson started seemingly perfect. But perfection is exhausting, and Jackson’s story was about shedding expectations and figuring out who he is.

From quitting swimming (and nearly losing his mind in the process) to navigating his s*xuality, his mental health, and his relationship with his mums, Jackson’s emotional journey was about self-definition. His friendship with Viv was a major grounding force, and his mature handling of his feelings (especially the crushes) showed real emotional intelligence. Jackson didn’t have the flashiest arc, but he had one of the most quietly impactful ones.

7) Aimee Gibbs

Aimee is sunshine personified, but that didn’t mean she was immune to darkness. After being s*xually assaulted on the bus, her entire arc shifted, and we witnessed one of the show’s most nuanced portrayals of trauma.

What made Aimee’s growth remarkable was her vulnerability. She didn’t try to power through it with a smile. She fell apart, pushed her friends away, admitted she didn’t feel safe, and then bravely took steps to heal - whether that meant therapy, confronting her feelings, or simply riding the bus again. And let’s not forget her incredible support for Maeve and her newfound love for baking - proof that healing comes in many forms.

6) Vivienne "Viv" Odusanya

Viv was always smart. Emotionally smart? Not so much - at least not in the beginning. She struggled with the messiness of relationships, both romantic and platonic. Her disastrous thing with Hope in season 3 showed how blind ambition can sometimes make us betray our values. But Viv owned up to it. She learned. She made amends with Jackson and took accountability, which is more than a lot of adults can manage.

Viv’s growth was all about realizing that intelligence doesn’t always equal wisdom. And that vulnerability isn’t weakness - it’s strength in disguise.

5) Jean Milburn

Wait, a therapist? On a list about emotional growth? Absolutely. Jean may have had the psychological vocabulary, but she was deeply flawed, especially in her personal life. Controlling, dismissive, and emotionally avoidant, she often used intellect to mask intimacy.

But becoming pregnant with Jakob’s child? That cracked her open. She had to confront her fears about motherhood, relationships, and aging. Her postpartum struggles were raw and real, and watching her admit she didn’t have it all together was one of the most powerful things the show did. Jean went from emotionally aloof to someone actively working on herself - and yes, even therapists need therapy.

4) Maeve Wiley

Maeve’s journey was a balancing act between survival and self-worth. She started hardened by neglect and abandonment, pushing people away before they could leave her. Her intelligence was undeniable, but she often felt unworthy of love or opportunity. Whether it was dealing with her addict mother, raising her younger sister, or navigating her feelings for Otis, Maeve constantly carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Her decision to leave for America, pursue education, and come back with a sense of self rather than just self-sacrifice? That’s growth. Maeve didn’t just fight for others anymore - she learned to fight for herself.

3) Eric Effiong

Eric was always flamboyant, funny, and proud - but that didn’t mean he was always free. His journey was about reconciling his cultural identity with his s*xual identity. From Ghana to Moordale, Eric struggled to find a space where he could be fully himself. His relationship with Adam, while groundbreaking, also showed his tendency to shrink himself to make others comfortable.

But Eric grew tired of compromising. In season 4, we see him emerge as someone who values his joy, his identity, and his community. His decision to become a pastor? Unexpected but deeply rooted in self-acceptance and spiritual healing. Eric’s growth wasn’t just emotional - it was existential.

2) Otis Milburn

Our boy Otis started the show with all the s*xual knowledge in the world but no clue how to apply it to his own life. He was repressed, judgmental, and frequently overstepped boundaries (remember the whole secret sex clinic thing?). But over time, he learned humility, empathy, and how to listen. His relationships with Maeve, Ruby, and Jean forced him to confront his flaws head-on.

By season 4, Otis had evolved into someone far more self-aware, emotionally expressive, and yes, even able to talk about his feelings without hiding behind clinical jargon. That’s serious growth.

1) Michael Groff (The Former Headmaster)

And at #1 - the unlikeliest champion of emotional growth: Michael Groff. Initially? A nightmare. Rigid, controlling, emotionally stunted, and a terrible father to Adam. But life hit him like a truck - he lost his job, his wife, and any illusion of control.

But instead of collapsing, Michael decided to start over. He apologized to Adam (and meant it), sought help, and tried to build an actual relationship with his son. He moved in with his brother, faced his past, and opened himself up emotionally in a way that felt nothing short of redemptive. Michael’s transformation from cold authoritarian to vulnerable, evolving human being? Absolutely worthy of the top spot.

In a show bursting with hormones, hilarity, and heartbreak, Sex Education proved that emotional growth isn’t linear - or easy. These characters stumbled, backtracked, and sometimes crashed into rock bottom. But they also rose, loved, healed, and grew.