Thanks to its brilliant cast and forward-thinking storylines, Sex Education is a firm favourite in our books. But did you know Asa Butterfield, who plays Otis, almost landed another big role before the Netflix original came along?

In a new interview with Collider, the 23-year-old actor revealed he auditioned for the role of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of the character, which eventually went to Tom Holland.

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Gareth Cattermole//Getty Images

And despite the rejection feeling like a kick in the teeth at the time, Asa quickly won the role of amateur sex advisor Otis in Sex Education - something he wouldn't have been able to do if he was picked for Spider-Man.

"Every so often there’s a part [that you really want] and it’s a script you love, and you kind of put your heart and soul into it, and you don’t get it," he explained. "And it is tough and it is shit, but I often find that something even better comes out of it at the end.

"And so in the case of Spider-Man, I did Sex Ed, because I wouldn’t have been able to do both of those at the same time."

Speaking about why he thinks he didn't land the role, he actor continued, "there’s only so much you can do and everyone’s gonna have a different take on a part and look at a character in different ways, have a different sort of performance, and you kind of have to stick with what you think."

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Netflix

Fair enough. Considering how great Asa is as Otis - and Tom Holland as Peter in Spider-Man - all's well that ends well, eh?

Cosmopolitan UK's August issue is out now and available for purchase online and via Readly. You can also SUBSCRIBE HERE or read on Apple News+. Find our podcast 'All The Way With...' on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and the Acast app.

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