This 'Schitt's Creek' star is joining the 'Sex Education' season 4 cast

Sex Education season 3 left us more than a little heartbroken but we've finally got some crazy-exciting Sex Education season 4 cast news to cheer us up.

The third season finished with Maeve Riley (Emma Mackey) leaving for her literature program in America—and while it’s likely the show's female lead will return, a number of her costars have announced their departure. But even though we have to say goodbye to some former favorites, we're also going to be welcoming seven (!) new series regulars next season. 

On Friday, August 19, the TV powers that be announced that Dan Levy—the multihyphenate mastermind behind Schitt's Creek—was joining the cast as a series regular for the fourth season. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Levy will portray Mr. Thomas Molloy, Maeve's tutor at the fictional Ivy League school, Wallace University.

Another bit of good news: on August 3, Variety confirmed that Ncuti Gatwa—who plays Eric Effiong, Otis' BFF—will be back next season, despite juggling some pretty major upcoming roles, including starring as the new doc in Doctor Who and appearing alongside his Sex Ed co-star Emma Mackey in the much-anticipated Barbie movie. 

For those who don’t know, Sex Education is a high school comedy-drama where Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) and bad-girl Maeve join forces to educate the students of Moordale about sex—oh, and did we mention Otis’ mum is a sex therapist (played by the one and only Gillian Anderson)? As one can imagine things get very interesting, with Otis and Maeve swiftly becoming the modern-day Ross and Rachel.

The third installment ended with the pair finally admitting their feelings to each other, only for Maeve to depart (potentially for good?). But with the news that Moordale would be closing, she might not be the only student departing next season. 

'Sex Education' season 4 cast: who is not returning?

Simone Ashley

Sadly we already know that Simone Ashley, who plays Olivia Hanan in the show, will not be returning for Sex Education season 4 after she landed the iconic role of Kate Sharma in Bridgerton season 2.

She confirmed the news on ITV's This Morning, saying she's a "Bridgerton girl now." She will, however, be returning for Bridgerton season 3—so that’s some good news!

Patricia Allison

Patricia Allison, who plays Ola Nyman, has also announced that she will not be returning for the next installment.

Speaking to Capital Xtra, the actress revealed: "I absolutely have loved being on Sex Education so so much, and playing Ola but unfortunately, I won’t be joining the team for season four." 

Tanya Reynolds

While we were still reeling over the news that Patricia Alison had quit the show, Tanya Reynolds—a.k.a. Lily—also announced that she will not be returning.

Yep, alien enthusiast Lily will not be stepping foot inside Moordale again, as Tanya told Radio Times: "I'm not [returning], actually, which is sad, very sad."

Detailing the decision to exit the show, Tanya added: "It's just the natural progression of these shows—when you have such big ensemble casts and so many characters, I think you have to let a few older characters go to make way for newer ones, which is absolutely the right thing, the way it should happen.

"I loved every minute of it and I loved Lily with my whole entire heart. Three seasons was just a really perfect amount for me."

So sadly, we're not only losing two of our favorite stars Tanya and Patricia—but one of our favorite on-screen couples.

Who will be back for 'Sex Education' season 4?

As far as the rest of the cast goes, according to Digital Spy, the following stars are likely to return: 

• Asa Butterfield (Otis Milburn)
• Gillian Anderson (Dr. Jean Milburn)
• Ncuti Gatwa (Eric Effiong)
• Emma Mackey (Maeve Riley)
• Adam (Connor Swindells)
• Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling) and Cal (Dua Saleh)
• Viv (Chinenye Ezeudu)
• Isaac (George Robinson)
• Ruby (Mimi Keene) and Anwar (Chaneil Kular)
• Rahim (Sami Outalbali)
• Miss Sands (Rakhee Thakrar)
• Mr. Hendricks (Jim Howick)
• Jakob (Mikael Persbrandt)
• Mr. Groff (Alistair Petrie)
• Maureen (Samantha Spiro)

Joining those returning castmates, as well as newcomer Dan Levy, are six new series regulars: Thaddea Graham, Marie Reuther, Felix Mufti, Anthony Lexa, Alexandra James and Imani Yahshua.