Emma Mackey Talks Female Desire, Friendship & ‘Fleabag’

Emma Mackey’s passion for Sex Education is palpable. “I like the fact that we’re exploring even more topics this season, we’re talking about bisexuality, pansexuality, and there are multiple storylines,” she enthusiastically tells Vogue of the second season of Netflix’s hit high school-based show. “Hopefully, more and more people will feel represented. We’ve got new characters, and we’re sort of exploring the world outside of school which I think is important, too.”

Therein lies the essence of the show’s success: this is honest, representative storytelling for everyone – including those previously overlooked by mainstream TV – to enjoy. The radical-feeling formula saw acclaim heaped on the show – and its plethora of young stars – as soon as season one landed on Netflix. “I’ve had mums come up to me on the street and thank me and the show for existing, saying that it’s helped them talk more openly [about sex and sexuality] amongst their friends and other mums their age, and with their kids, too,” Mackey says of the reaction to the show. “I think it’s cool that it’s bringing people together, I mean, it certainly feels like it is starting to move that way. I like the idea that we’re creating a generation of really open-minded people.”

And then there’s her character, Maeve Wiley. Moordale High’s resident alt girl has become something of a feminist hero for young women watching. “I’ve had young women come up to me on the street and say ‘we think your character is amazing’ and ‘we think she’s really cool’,” Mackey recounts. And fans of the character are in for a further treat in season two, as a multi-faceted female friendship blossoms on screen. “I think she [Maeve] becomes even more of a woman and grows up quite significantly season two,” she continues. “I’m really happy that she spends so much time with Aimee [Gibbs, played by Aimee Lou Wood] this season, as we’ve kind of watched them grow together, and go through quite seismic shifts in their own lives, and use their friendship in the best way. I think they just make each other happy. It’s lovely to see that on screen.”

It’s through the friendship between Maeve and Aimee that Sex Education tackles issues women continue to face in 2020, like sexual harassment. “… Like with the abortion scene in season one [the show was praised for its depiction of Maeve’s abortion storyline], I think it’s good to show the practicalities and solutions that are in place for young women when they go through such events,” says Mackey. This season, Aimee is sexually harassed, and the show’s portrayal of reporting such a crime is depressingly true-to-life. If Mackey found herself in Aimee’s position in real life, “I’d need someone to convince me to go to the police,” she admits. “Because we’re not reminded enough that, actually, it is a criminal offence and people can be arrested and put in prison for such things. Hopefully the fact that this show exists and that the storyline exists will be a reminder… there are things in place out there to help you – it’s important.”

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