Heartstopper season 3: Everything we know so far about the release date, cast and plot
Heartstopper is already confirmed to be returning for season three. (Netflix)
After Netflix’s Heartstopper delivered another critically acclaimed run of shows in season two, fans are already clamouring for season three.
With a third season confirmed by the streamer in 2022 at the same time as season two, fans won’t have to hold their breath waiting for a renewal, so it’s all a question of when and how rather than if.
Based on Alice Oseman’s beloved graphic novel series of the same name, Heartstopper has largely stayed faithful to its source material to date, though fans of the original series will know season two’s final episodes took things in a slightly different direction.
In the comic, Nick and Charlie head home after a trip to Paris, but the TV adaptation adds in a prom and some extra scenes, such as Nick hitting back at his homophobic brother (that comes later in the graphic novel) and the final scene, where the couple discuss mental health and appear on the verge of saying “I love you” for the first time (that comes much earlier in the graphic novel).
With fans on tenterhooks to find out if Nick and Charlie really did say “I love you”, read on below for everything we know about Heartstopper season three.
When will Heartstopper season three be released?
Netflix has not confirmed a release date for Heartstopper season three, but did announce on Monday, 2 October that production on the series was officially underway.
It would be reasonable to expect the next run of episodes to follow a similar pattern to the rollout of the first two seasons, meaning it’s likely hit the streaming service in mid-2024.
Director Euros Lyn confirmed in an interview with BBC Wales in early August 2023 that work on Heartstopper season three would begin “soon”.
“Season three has been commissioned already, we’re very excited and are due to start work on it soon,” he said.
The official Netflix France account also sent fans into a frenzy in soon after the release of season two, with a tweet declaring that Heartstopper season three was “coming soon”.
However, it’s worth taking that statement with a healthy pinch of salt, as the account later clarified that “soon” means that “it’s planned but we don’t have a date yet, so it could be between today and the end of the world.”
Which cast members are coming back?
While no formal cast announcements have been made for Heartstopper season three, Netflix UK did confirm in September 2023 that Nick and Charlie – as you might expect – will be “back”; all but confirming the return of Kit Connor and Charlie Locke.
In the same tweet, Netflix confirmed that episode one of Heartstopper season three will be entitled “Love” and is written by series creator Alice Oseman.
It’s likely that all the core cast will be back, Yasmin Finney (Elle Argent), William Gao (Tao Xu), Tobie Donovan (Isaac Henderson), Corinna Brown (Tara Jones), Kizzy Edgell (Darcy Olsson) and Rhea Norwood (Imogen Heaney).
Fans will also be hopeful that some of season two’s new additions might be returning for another outing, including Leila Khan (who plays Sahar Zahid), Jack Barton (David Nelson), Bradley Riches (James McEwan), Nima Taleghani (Mr Farouk) Bel Priestley (Naomi) and Ash Self (Felix).
There is one notable confirmed departure from the cast, with Sebastian Croft not returning for season three.
It comes after his character, Ben Hope, was written out towards the end of season two, with the series antagonist revealing he planned to move schools after attempting to reconcile with Charlie.
Addressing his exit, Croft said he and series creator Alice Oseman thought it was important not give his character redemption: “Alice and I both felt strongly about him not having a redemption arc. It’s a really beautiful way of having these two people who have been through a lot — and Ben’s been horrible to Charlie — to have that conversation and explore it on a deeper level than I felt like we got to do in season 1.”
Oseman added that she looks forward to see what How to Date Billy Walsh star Croft does next: “I know that he’ll go on to do incredible things, and I will be cheering from the sidelines all the way.”
What will happen in Heartstopper season three?
Those that have read the ongoing graphic novel series will have a good idea of what to expect from season three but it’s also clear that the TV adaptation intends to explore mental health more explicitly.
In an interview with Netflix, Oseman said: “I think [season two’s ending] just sets up that conversation for next season. We know that Charlie loves Nick, and I think we know that Nick loves Charlie as well. It’s just about when and how they’re going to say that to each other.”
This article contains affiliate links, PinkNews may earn revenue if you click through and purchase products through the links.
Fans can also find out what’s in store for Nick and Charlie in the original graphic novel series when Heartstopper Volume 5 is released on 9 November 2023.
It’s available to pre-order from Waterstones, Amazon and WH Smith, while a signed copy is also available to buy from Waterstones.
Oseman has confirmed that the graphic novels will end with a surprise sixth volume, which currently has no release date.
Heartstopper seasons one and two are available to stream on Netflix now.
