Sex Education Star Simone Ashley Reveals Unusual Intimacy Training They Went Through For Show

Training and preparation for a role are standard practice within the film and TV industry, but for Sex Education star Simone Ashley, her training was a little less than usual.

Playing the iconic role of Olivia Hanan on the hit Netflix series, the 27-year-old actress soon became a fan favourite.

Netflix

Joined by co-stars Mimi Keene and Chaneil Kular as one third of 'The Untouchables', the British modern-day answer to Mean Girls' 'The Plastics', Simone quickly became a core character in the series.

Kicking off Otis Milburn's (Asa Butterfield) sex therapy business, Olivia became the first official client seeking some advise regarding her 'orgasm face'.

Clearly a very intimate plot line to relay, Simone revealed to People magazine that, in order to readily prepare for the role, she and the cast had to watch snails mate.

Netflix

"We explored the movement of different animals to kind of portray different paces or different sexualities or how sensual something could be," the 27-year-old explained.

Expanding on the bizarre intimacy training, Simone continued: "For example, we look to how snails mate, and when snails mate, they actually produce a plasma that intertwines."

She went on to reveal that the actors would take different inspiration from different animals.

"So if it was a really sensual, slow kind of scene, we’d be like, 'Oh, it’s like the snail'," the actress explained.

Netflix

"So we would make it about that or how dogs mate or chimpanzees mate – it’s very like fast-paced and a different kind of style," the 27-year-old concluded.

While Olivia was a fan-favourite from the get-go, it's been confirmed that she will not be returning to Moordale High for the long-anticipated fourth season of Sex Education.

This is due to Simone's starring role as Kate Sharma in the hit-television series, Bridgerton.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

"I’m a Bridgerton gal now!’ Simone announced to This Morning when asked about her future with Sex Education.

Characters Olivia Hanan and Kate Sharma couldn't be any more different; ne is an awkward teenager, battling with friendship circles, boyfriends and a pesky orgasm face, while the other is the Viscountess Bridgerton by virtue of her marriage to Anthony Bridgerton.

It definitely makes sense why Simone Ashley can't play two such opposing characters simultaneously.

Regardless, it's fair to say that we are all very excited for the release of season four.

Both Sex Education and Bridgerton are available to stream on Netflix.