'Sex Education' Season 3 Creates a New Star in Mimi Keene

This season you work very closely with Asa Butterfield, who plays Otis. What was that like?

Oh, we had so much fun. We had a lot of scenes together. Some scenes I was really nervous for, and he made me feel so relaxed. He makes you feel really comfortable, so we just had loads of fun. We also sang a lot. I taught him every word from Cardi B's songs. It was just fun and games with him. It was brilliant.

Do you have any rituals or superstitions before scenes? 

Literally nothing, except I like to drink whatever I'm drinking, whether it's lemonade or water. I just want to make sure I'm hydrated and that I've gone for a wee because otherwise I might need to stop, and I don't want to make it any more stressful than it already is. But it's always fine. Once you get started, your inhibitions float away. If you're filming something a little bit sensitive, it's a closed set, so that's helpful.

Let’s talk Ruby’s look. She has the shiniest hair. Did you pick up any hair or makeup tricks on set?

No, because you know what—it's not the products; it's the artistry. The hair and makeup teams are amazing. They put such effort into Ruby because my hair is not the easiest to tame. Usually it's a frizz ball, so just getting it blow-dried is nice because I can't blow dry my hair to save my life. 

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Ruby also has the best sunglasses. What style is your favorite?

I love that they're always coordinated with the outfit. If the outfit's purple, the sunglasses have got to be purple. There are whole new ones for this season. I'm a big fan of sunglasses. I think they should be allowed to be worn whether it's sunny, raining, nighttime, anywhere. They look fabulous. 

And I didn't tell you what we don't have in common, and that is that she's mean. I'm not mean. She could tone that down a bit. 

Do people recognize you in daily life? 

They do. Not that much, because I often look very, very disheveled. I don't dress up a lot. I go out very, very casual. Messy hair, no makeup. I don't often look like Ruby. But when I do, it's always a really positive response and feedback from people of all ages, from all kinds of backgrounds. 

What do fans often tell you in regards to the show?

Everyone always says something different, like, “It was so good to see that,” or, “I felt like that was the first time I'd ever seen someone like me represented.” It's always really nice to hear stuff like that because the goal of the show is to be relatable and show people that you're not alone and be who you are. That's usually what I hear, which is great.

Jessica Radloff is the Glamour West Coast editor. You can follow her on Instagram @jessicaradloff14.