Tanya Reynolds was ‘so insecure’ filming Sex Education's first season due to her age

Tanya Reynolds says she was really 'insecure' on Sex Education.

The actor played the eccentric Lily Iglehart in the first three seasons of the hit Netflix comedy, quickly becoming one of the most popular characters.

But while it proved to be a stroke of genius in terms of casting Reynolds, she admitted this week that she wasn't very comfortable with the role at first.

Speaking to the Metro, she explained that she was 'so insecure' about playing a 16-year-old when, in reality, she was actually in her late twenties.

"That was the main reason I really did not think I would get it – which is also the reason I think I did get it," Reynolds, now 31, told the outlet.

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"In my audition, I was really relaxed and playful, because there were no stakes – and typically as an actor, the more relaxed you are, the better you do.

"I was the oldest out of the main cast and filming that first season, I was so insecure about it, I was like, ‘God, everyone’s going to see how old I am', but [as a viewer] you just buy into the world.

"But by the third season, I turned 29 during filming, and I did think. ‘God, she’s not fooling anyone much longer, she probably has to move on!’"

In terms of Lily's character and personality, though, Reynolds said she really understood her.

"I always relate to those characters that are sort of on the outside, because that’s how I’ve always felt in every environment I’m in," she said.

"And the beautiful idea that Lily spent so much time in her room making things – that was my entire childhood.

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"As a teenager as well, I wouldn’t go out much on the weekends; I spent so much time in my room writing and reading and being creative and really isolated in that. Ah, I loved that little weirdo!"

Sadly for fans of the series, however, Lily revealed to LADbible last year that she wouldn't be returning for the fourth season.

Not giving much away as to the reason behind the decision, Reynolds said: "My character's not back either.

"I was expecting people on this [promotion for new comedy] to ask that question, so I haven't really, yeah, I haven't really spoken about it yet, but Lily's not back either.

"It will be, it will be great... it will be great. There'll be lots of new characters and people will forget all about little old Lil."

She is one of a number of stars who have confirmed they are leaving the show.

Simone Ashley, who played Olivia, Patricia Allison (Ola), and Rakhee Thakrar - who played English teacher Emily Sands - have also called it quits ahead of the fourth season.