Heartstopper season 3 is only a few months away! Here's everything to know

Following a decent wait after the breakout hit first season, Heartstopper season 2 finally premiered on Netflix in August 2023. The next chapter of Charlie and Nick’s story, along with those of all their amazing friends, left fans wanting even more from Heartstopper season 3.

The show, which is based on the series of graphic novels of the same name by Alice Oseman, was an instant worldwide success on Netflix thanks in part to its adoring online fandom and that of Oseman’s best-selling collection of books.

Thankfully, Netflix doesn’t appear to be getting out of the Heartstopper business anytime soon. Here's everything we know about the third season so far!

Heartstopper returns in October 2024

Netflix announced in May that Heartstopper season 3 will debut on Oct. 3, 2024. Though the streamer has gotten into the habit of splitting the release of its show's seasons, that won't be the case here. Just like with the first two seasons, the new installment is expected to contain another set of eight episodes, and they will be released all at once.

When Netflix renewed Heartstopper for season 2 in May 2022, the streamer also ordered season 3 in a rare double renewal. Get a first look at what's to come with the season 3 release date teaser below, along with stills from the new episodes:

In the quick preview above, Charlie struggles with how to tell Nick that he loves him. We're sure the feeling is mutual, but we also totally don't blame him for being nervous!

Season 3 cast

The cast for season 3 isn’t expected to have many major shake-ups, with the majority of the main, supporting, and recurring cast all but locked to be back in season 3. Of course, Kit Connor and Joe Locke will be back as Nick and Charlie, as will the rest of the core cast of young actors playing their friends. Other characters will surely return in their supporting or guest roles.

Here’s who’s expected to return for Heartstopper season 3:

• Kit Connor as Nick Nelson
• Joe Locke as Charlie Spring
• William Gao as Tao Xu
• Yasmin Finney as Elle Argent
• Corinna Brown as Tara Jones
• Kizzy Edgell as Darcy Olsson
• Tobie Donovan as Isaac Henderson
• Jenny Walser as Tori Spring
• Cormac Hyde-Corrin as Harry Greene
• Rhea Norwood as Imogen Heaney
• Fisayo Akinade as Mr. Ajayi
• Chetna Pandya as Coach Singh
• Leila Khan as Sahar Zahid

In March 2024, Olivia Colman confirmed to Forbes that she was unable to return to Heartstopper for the third season. The Academy Award-winning actress portrayed Nick's mom Sarah Nelson and will be greatly missed! “I couldn’t do number three. I couldn’t fit it in. I feel awful about that,” she said. “I feel like I was part of one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever been part of.”

In the penultimate episode of season 2, Ben comes to Charlie with an apology for how he treated him, but Charlie doesn’t accept. Ben tells him that he’s leaving, which had fans wondering if Sebastian Croft would be leaving the show after season 2. Netflix confirmed his departure in August 2023, with Oseman saying: “I know that he’ll go on to do incredible things, and I will be cheering from the sidelines all the way.” 

In addition to characters and cast members that have been in the show from the beginning, these other cast members could also return for season 3:

• Nima Taleghani as Mr. Farouk
• Georgina Rich as Jane Spring
• Joseph Balderrama as Julio Spring
• Momo Yeung as Yan Xu
• Bradley Richaes as James
• Bel Priestley as Naomi
• Ash Self as Felix
• Jack Barton as David Nelson
• Thibault de Montalember as Stephane Nelson

We also have confirmed new additions to the cast, including a fan-favorite Bridgerton star:

• Jonathan Bailey as Jack Maddox
• Darragh Hand as Michael Holden
• Hayley Atwell as Diane
• Eddie Marsan as Geoff
• Jensen Clayden as Oliver Spring

What to expect from season 3

Netflix has released the synopsis for the new season, which sounds, unsurprisingly, adorable and heartfelt:

"Charlie would like to tell Nick that he loves him. Nick also has something important to say to Charlie. As the summer holiday ends and the months race on, the friends begin to realise that the school year will come with both its joys and its challenges. As they learn more about each other and their relationships, plan social events and parties and start thinking about university choices, everyone must learn to lean on those they love when life doesn't go to plan. "

- Season 3 synopsis

According to Vulture, Heartstopper season 2 adapted Heartstopper, Volume 3 by Alice Oseman, and the creator-writer revealed that season 2 included new storylines not featured in the book. Given that information and the synopsis for season 3, it looks like the new installment is based on Heartstopper, Volume 4.

There is still at least one more volume in the Heartstopper graphic novel series to be released. Oseman announced that Volume 5, which was released December 2023 and had been intended to be the final tome, will have a follow-up. There is no release date for Volume 6 yet, though Oseman has been sharing updates on her social media on her progress. Fingers crossed this means many more seasons on Netflix!

Warning: Spoilers from Heartstopper season 2 beyond this point!

Season 2 ending explained

In the season 2 finale cliffhanger, Charlie struggles with deciding whether to fire off a text message to Nick saying “I love you” for the first time. Nick had been super close to saying it to Charlie in person before they had been interrupted by Nick’s mother coming home. If you read the books, you probably know what comes next, but for those who haven’t yet, the question remains: Will Charlie send the message to Nick?

Elsewhere, Elle looks primed to attend the Lambert School of Art after having her art chosen for exhibition and landing a coveted spot at the school. Being so, Tao wants to continue their relationship, especially since they officially defined their relationship with the boyfriend-girlfriend labels. Meanwhile, Tara and Darcy get even closer by saying “I love you” and learning about Darcy’s home life, and Isaac seems open to exploring possibly being asexual and aromantic.

There's certainly a lot that fans are looking forward to in Heartstopper season 3. Is anyone else counting down the days?!

Stay tuned for more Heartstopper season 3 news and updates from Netflix Life.