'Sex Education' star weighs in on that heartbreaking breakup at the end of season 3 and what the future holds for Eric and Adam

• Warning: This post contains major spoilers for the third season of "Sex Education."
• Ncuti Gatwa thinks Eric and Adam are broken up for good after they separate at the end of season 3.
• Gatwa said that Eric has spent time "being patient" with Adam while neglecting his own needs.

Warning: This post contains major spoilers for the third season of "Sex Education."

"Sex Education" star Ncuti Gatwa said that he hopes his character Eric has separated from his boyfriend for good.

The third season of "Sex Education," which premiered on Netflix on Friday, takes viewers back to Moordale High. Eric is back in a relationship with his on-again, off-again boyfriend Adam (Connor Swindells) as the former headmaster's son navigates being more expressive about his feelings, as well as his sexuality.

However, Eric breaks up with Adam in the final episode of the season, arguing that the two are at different points in their lives.

While chatting with Insider earlier in September, Gatwa said that he believes Eric "paused his journey of self-discovery and acceptance to facilitate this romantic relationship with Adam."

"Eric has put a lot of effort and a lot of energy and a lot of attention into Adam, waiting for Adam, being patient for Adam, and giving Adam space to grow," Gatwa said about the relationship. "I think he's almost kind of neglected his own needs and what he wants for himself."

Gatwa continued that breaking up with Adam was a big step for Eric and even called it "one of the first powerful decisions he makes for himself." He also pointed out that before entering into a relationship with him, Adam bullied Eric nonstop for six years and threatened to kill him.

"I think that he needs to kind of understand that he needs to love himself, really, because the world isn't going to do that for him," Gatwa said about Eric.

While the breakup was a big step in the right direction for Eric, Adam might not necessarily feel that way. Gatwa explained that Adam "has a slightly co-dependent attitude toward Eric."

He said that Adam probably believes that "Eric can fix my problems, or if I have Eric here with me, then that maybe alleviates my loneliness."

When asked about who he believes is the perfect man for Eric, Gatwa has a straightforward answer: Otis, but only as a friend and not romantically.

"I think he needs to be with someone that fully understands the shoes that he walks in and all the different intersections that he represents and sits within," Gatwa said about Eric's future romantic prospects.

All eight episodes of "Sex Education" season 3 are now streaming on Netflix.