Sex Education season four viewers were delivered a crushing blow in the latest episodes of the hit show with Maeve Wiley’s mom Erin dying off-screen from a fatal drug overdose – before being laid to rest in bleak scenes.
The final chapter of the hit Netflix drama landed on the streamer on Thursday, with its all star cast – including Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, and Emma Mackey – reprising their characters one last time.
But it wasn’t long before fans were left fighting back tears after learning that Erin, portrayed by Anne-Marie Duff, had succumbed to her addiction after being taken ill in hospital.
In scenes that aired at the end of episode three, Maeve (Emma Mackey) immediately flew back to the UK after being alerted that her mom was fighting for her life in A&E.
Maeve Wiley’s mom died in the fourth and final season of Sex Education, streaming now
It was revealed that Erin Wiley, played by Anne-Marie Duff, had died from a fatal overdose
However, episode four confirmed the worst and that Erin had sadly passed away.
A nurse delivered the devastating news to Maeve and her brother Sean (Edward Bluemel) and took them to a private room in the hospital.
‘I am very sorry to inform you that your mother has passed away,’ she said. ‘Shortly after she was admitted to ICU, she lost consciousness.’
While Maeve couldn’t muster up the strength to see her mother’s body, her brother was able to go and identify her corpse, revealing that it was definitely her.
Erin was eventually laid to rest in episode six, where Maeve organized a small funeral service that was mainly made up of her friends from school.
Paying tribute to her mom, she told the congregation: ‘My mother was an addict.
‘She also helped me set up a business when I was eight years old, washing people’s cars.
‘She taught me how to pick out returning customers and taught me how to make good tips.
Maeve and her brother learned of their mother’s fate in episode four of the Netflix drama
Erin was then laid to rest in scenes that aired in episode six
Maeve organized the funeral service for her mom and read out a moving tribute
Anne-Marie didn’t return to the Netflix series for the last chapter, with her character dying off-screen
‘She loved to sing, even though she sang terribly and couldn’t ever get the lyrics right, and we never went hungry, which was no mean feat… even when she was high she’d make these pancakes for us with chocolate smiley faces.’
Trying to hold it together, Maeve added: ‘I really hate her for everything she put me through, but I also miss her with every cent of my being.’
Netflix confirmed in July that the Sex Education season four with the be final chapter.
In a letter to fans, creator, lead writer and executive producer, Laurie Nunn said: ‘We’ve decided the fourth season will also be the final installment of our show.
‘This was not an easy decision to make but as the themes and stories of the new season crystallized, it became clear that this was the right time to graduate.’
Sex Education’s fourth and final season is now streaming on Netflix
She continued: ‘We are incredibly proud of Sex Education and feel indebted to our brilliant writers, cast and crew who put so much heart into making every episode.
‘They have worked tirelessly to bring you the final series, and we can’t wait to share it with you.’
The show debuted on the streaming platform in 2019 and proved very popular with viewers and critics alike.
Before it was announced that Sex Education would be wrapping up, In actress Emma shut down the idea of returning for another season as Maeve.
‘[Will I be back for] season 5 or 6? Bloody hell, I’ve just finished the fourth one, love – last week!’ she said in February.
‘No, I don’t think so. I think, yeah, I’ve said goodbye to Maeve. It’s a happy goodbye.’
