Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), the openly gay Black best friend of protagonist Otis, drives a prominent love triangle involving new gay character Rahim and bisexual former bully Adam, with explicit exploration of public affection, religion versus queerness, and agency after prior homophobic trauma. Ola embraces pansexuality while Florence is identified as asexual; Lily's vaginismus storyline receives detailed, authentic treatment including dilators.

Aimee's bus sexual assault triggers an extended arc on trauma, consent, and female solidarity, culminating in a detention scene where the girls bond over shared experiences of harassment. Creator Laurie Nunn has stated the season deliberately deepens female desire, pleasure, and post-#MeToo consent conversations, intentionally making the assault storyline intersectional across backgrounds.