Heartstopper season 3 photos reveal new character's connection to Charlie

Time is flying by, but it's not flying by fast enough! I mean, can it be October already? All eight episodes of the highly anticipated Hearstopper season 3 are set to drop on Oct. 3, and we're trying our absolute hardest to be patient. Did Charlie end up sending Nick that text message saying he loves him? We need to know!

According to series creator Alice Oseman, the upcoming third season will see a tone shift. She says that Heartstopper season 3 will be a lot more grown-up than previous seasons. While season 2 touched a little on Charlie's struggles, season 3 will explore them even more. We'll see Nick try his best to be by his boyfriend's side through all his trials and tribulations. We'll also see the young couple and their friend group experiencing new things while also learning more about themselves and each other.

Something else that we're really excited to see in Heartstopper season 3 is the new characters. There will be five new characters introduced in the third season, and some of them are played by well-known actors. We're talking Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One's Haley Atwell, and Back to Black's Eddie Marsan. Bailey plays Jack Maddox, Charlie's Instagram-famous crush. Atwell portrays Diane, Nick's aunt, and Marsan plays Charlie’s therapist, Geoff.

Joining these three actors in the third season are newcomers Darragh Hand as Michael Holden, Tori's new friend, and Jensen Clayden as Oliver Spring, Charlie and Tori's younger cousin. Book fans will instantly recognize Michael and Oliver from the Heartstopper books. However, it looks like Oliver's relationship with Charlie and Tori was changed for the show.

In the books, Oliver is Charlie and Tori's younger brother instead of their cousin. It's unclear why Oseman decided to change Oliver's connection to Charlie and Tori in the show, but we're excited to see what this new character will bring to the upcoming season. According to Oseman, Oliver will be making a "small but festive appearance" in Heartstopper season 3. We can't wait to see his and Charlie's dynamic!

Here's a look at Jensen Clayden as Oliver Spring in Heartstopper season 3.