Working behind the scenes on the Netflix hit

From the moment Netflix’s Sex Education hit our screens in 2019, it’s been a success. Filmed at locations across Wales, the show follows the lives of Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his friends Maeve (Barbie actress, Emma Mackey) and Eric (soon-to-be Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa) as they manoeuvre through life at the fictional Moordale Secondary School. For its final season, Schitt’s Creek writer and Emmy Award-winning actor Dan Levy joins the cast.

Here at Creative Wales, we’ve financially supported the popular show since season two. As part of this agreement, each production has provided at least seven entry-level trainee opportunities for people living in Wales each season.

Read on as we explore the career progression of 11 trainees – discover where they started and what they’ve been up to since.

First up, we have Emily. She kickstarted her career on Sex Education working in the art department on season two. After becoming an art department runner on the production of Brave New World, she returned to Sex Education for season three as an art department assistant. She then moved to Disney's Willow where she became a drafts person. To close her chapter of working on Sex Ed, Emily returns for the final season as assistant art director. 

Next, we have Jamey-Leigh. Her Sex Education journey started on season one when she was a production trainee joining from the University of South Wales (USW). After returning for season two as a ScreenSkills production trainee, she later worked with us on the Google Chromebook Sex Education commercial.

Jamey-Leigh’s experience on Sex Education gained her work on Casualty as a production secretary and on War of the Worlds, where she worked as a production secretary and a travel and accommodation coordinator. For season four, Jamey-Leigh returns home to Sex Education – this time as assistant production coordinator.

Stevie was one of the first accounts department trainees on Sex Education season one. For season two, she returned as payroll AP, before working part-time on season three with dailies. More recently, Stevie worked as a 1st assistant accountant on the BBC series Wolf.

Monika is a USW student who started her Sex Education journey working as a locations trainee on season three, later staying on as a locations assistant. After working on Sex Ed, Monika became a key location assistant on a feature film with Alex Garland. She then moved over to We Hunt Together 2, taking on the role of locations coordinator. More recently, she worked on BBC Series Wolf. 

Introducing Misha: she was a USW locations trainee on season three of Sex Education. When she finished, she became a unit manager on Casualty, before working on pick ups for both Havoc and War of the Worlds. 

Fred was the USW sound trainee on Sex Education season three. After finishing, he then went on to work with the sound recording team on In My Skin. With more experience under his belt, Fred then stepped up into the role of assistant sound recordist on War of the Worlds. He later worked on the BBC drama, The Pact.

Jaye joined season three of Sex Education as a USW costume trainee. Since then, Jaye's gone on to become a design trainee and picked up roles as a costume trainee on Havoc and Star Baker. Jaye is now a junior costume designer.

Meet Jimena: a season three USW art department trainee. After completing her time on the show, Jimena went on to work as a graphics assistant. She’s since moved to London, working on a Sister Pictures production as a graphics assistant.

Eleanor also joined us as a USW art department trainee on season three. After filming finished, she worked on the set of a film called Prize Fighter, and the TV series Sanditon. She’s currently working on Amazon hit My Lady Jane.  

Next, we have Julia. Julie started as an art department trainee on Sex Education season three before becoming an art department assistant for block two of shooting. Afterwards, she continued working as an art department assistant, but this time for War of the Worlds and, later, a film for Untitled.

Last up, we have Jonathan – a floor trainee on Sex Education season three. After filming ended, Jonathan moved to CBBC to work as a floor runner for Jamie Johnson. He later joined the set of Willow, where he worked his way up from floor runner to cast PA, and finally 3rd AD (assistant director). Jonathan is currently working as a director’s PA but is on the hunt for his next 3rd AD role.

If you’re interested in working in the creative industries in Wales, head to our skills page where you’ll find information, opportunities, and trainee stories.