In Season 3 of Heartstopper, the show’s darkest yet, the LGBTQ+ relationships that we’ve grown to love evolve as the characters grow up.
Creator: Alice Oseman
Director: Andy Newbery
Genre: Coming of Age, Romance, Teen Drama
Number of Episodes: 8
Season 3 Release Date: October 3, 2024
Where to watch: globally on Netflix
Heartstopper has been immensely successful since its release in 2022. It feels like the series is the only widely consumed and critically acclaimed teen TV show with multiple LGBTQ+ leads; audiences look to Heartstopper for positive representations of queer relationships, which raises the expectations and standards for the series with each season. Season 3 is no exception, as it manages to maintain all the goodwill it’s built while complicating almost all aspects of the characters.
At the beginning of season 3, both Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) have something extremely important but completely different to say to each other. Charlie is finally ready to tell Nick that he loves him, and while we know Nick feels the same way, he has something a little more pressing on his mind. Nick has started to notice that Charlie’s relationship with food is growing increasingly strained. The rest of the season follows what becomes the darkest part of Charlie and Nick’s relationship, as they find each other leaning on one another in ways none of them would have expected.
One of the most acclaimed aspects of Heartstopper is its ability to radiate positive energy and optimism no matter what is going on in the characters’ lives. However, this is the first time that one of the leads is going through something as traumatic as an eating disorder. Since I’ve never read the graphic novels that the series is based on, I never thought that we would see Nick or Charlie experience something this tough, let alone see it as directly as we do. As expected, Heartstopper can tackle these darker subjects with immense sensitivity, which also brings out the best performances we’ve seen from both Locke and Connor yet.
As an audience, we have been so invested in the growth of Nick and Charlie’s relationship that we haven’t considered any potential risks that come with an all-consuming young love. In Locke’s performance, we can see how someone can feel so happy yet so hurt at the same time, and it is portrayed beautifully. Connor has an equally difficult task portraying someone who has developed deep codependency with someone who is going through something he can’t really help with. Both actors continue to prove that they will become some of the most relevant names in Hollywood in a few years.
Heartstopper’s entire ensemble is fantastic as usual, and this season we get to watch all characters (even the adults) grow along with the leading characters facing challenges of their own. Corinna Brown is a standout this year, as Tara is dealing with the pressures of being the “smart” friend and settling into a queer relationship where her partner is exploring their identity within the LGBTQ+ community. Tobie Donovan continues to be a reliable supporting actor as Isaac is navigating coming out as asexual and aromantic and being one of the only single members of the friend group.
Allowing these characters to each become more complex in their own unique ways is vital for both the kinds of messages the creators want to send. While showing queer joy is absolutely essential for audiences of all ages to see, there is something maybe more important in showing the darker moments of these character’s lives and watching how they navigate these experiences while still maintaining an optimistic tone. There is something extremely special about watching something that you know will do so much good by just existing on a platform like Netflix for millions to witness.
With season 3, Heartstopper continues to be one of the best shows Netflix has ever produced. Getting to see these characters grow up and deal with things such as mental health issues, developing sexuality, and university decisions is such an impactful experience from start to finish; it hurts to know that there is only so much more we can get from a high school-based TV show. However, I am extremely grateful for the near-perfect 3 seasons we’ve gotten of Heartstopper so far, and I cannot wait to see how these characters continue to evolve in the coming seasons. Here’s hoping I’ll be back reviewing season 4 in 2025!
Season 3 of Heartstopper will be available to stream on Netflix on October 3, 2024. Read our reviews of Heartstopper Season 1 and Season 2 and our list of 5 Coming-of-Age Films to Watch if you Liked Heartstopper!
