What happens to Maeve’s mom in Sex Education season 4?

Get ready for another batch of new episodes that’ll have you feeling all the emotions, because Sex Education season 4 is finally here! The popular dramedy series has been a staple for Netflix since it premiered in 2019, and unfortunately, the new season marks the end. We now have answers to our biggest questions, like who the father of Jean’s baby is and whether or not Otis and Maeve are endgame. It’s a huge season this time around, one that’ll leave you feeling sentimental by the end.

I’m so sad Sex Education is over, but I’m glad the final season is so good. The finale is a great way to conclude the amazing storylines we’ve been following. But we’ll warn you, don’t exactly expect a happy ending. As it’d been teased prior to the new season coming out, these new episodes get pretty dark… so get the tissues ready!

Warning: spoilers ahead for Sex Education season 4.

One of the more upsetting storylines in Sex Education season 4 is the reason Maeve has to come home from America. Remember, Maeve decides to relocate across the pond at the end of season 3 after being accepted to a prestigious school for gifted students. It’s a hard decision, but she understands how rare of an opportunity it is. This leaves her relationship with Otis up in the air, but at the start of season 4, they’re giving long distance a shot.

However, Maeve gets a distressing phone call a few episodes in when she finds out that her mom Erin has overdosed. Throughout the show, Maeve has had an incredibly complicated relationship with her mother, most of their problems stemming from the fact that she’s an addict. Maeve comes back to England in season 4 and Aimee and Otis accompany her to the hospital to visit her mom. But sadly, it’s too late. When she and her brother Sean arrive, their mother is already gone.

How does Maeve’s mom die in Sex Education season 4?

Unfortunately, Maeve’s mom dies from a drug overdose. Sean goes to see the body alone, with Maeve not feeling like she can see her that way, and he confirms that it’s their mom. Though the siblings know their mom overdosed, her death is, understandably, not something they are expecting. While Sean leaves the hospital soon after, Maeve remains in the waiting room, working on a crossword puzzle as a distraction. Finally, that night, she’s ready to leave and Aimee and Otis bring her home.

Maeve has been through so much trauma on this show, and it’s heartbreaking that this season is no different. At the end of Sex Education, Maeve heads back to America to continue her education and start a new life. She’s beyond ready to leave town and has the potential for so much success ahead of her. Unfortunately, that means leaving Otis behind and ending their relationship, but even though I’ve always rooted for them to be together, it’s probably for the best.

Keep reading our Sex Education spoilers and opinions here at Netflix Life.