Nick and Charlie are back! What time to start watching Heartstopper season 3

It's been a longer wait than usual, but the wait is finally over! This week, Heartstopper season 3 arrives on Netflix to catch us up on what's been going on with Nick, Charlie, and all their friends. They're growing up quickly and facing some of the most complicated situations of their young lives in what's sure to be one of the most acclaimed seasons of the series yet.

When we last left Nick and Charlie in the season 2 finale, Charlie was opening up to Nick more about what he's been going through personally, and that nearly included dropping those all-important three little words: I love you. Charlie didn't get the chance to tell his boyfriend how he feels about him just yet, but the big moment's likely coming around the corner in season 3!

The countdown is on to the big premiere, but when can fans around the world tune into the new epsiodes? Below we're sharing everything to know before you tune in, including the release time based on time zone and more.

Release date and time

Heartstopper season 3 will be released on Netflix on Thursday, Oct. 3 at midnight PT, which is 3 a.m. ET. For those in the UK like Nick and Charlie, you can start your season 3 binge-watch bright and early at 8 a.m. BST.

Obviously, fans in the United States have to stay up much later or wake up in the middle of the night to start watching as soon as the eight episodes arrive on Netflix. But around the world, the series premieres at a much more reasonable time.

Check out the table below to find out what time Heartstopper season 3 begins streaming in your area and when you can start watching!

Synopsis, trailer, and mature content

As previously mentioned, Heartstopper season 3 finds Nick and Charlie and their friends in one of the most formative time periods of adolescence. They're falling in love, thinking about having sex, considering where they want to go to university, and asking all of the questions about the rest of their lives. Sometimes growing up gets real all at once.

The third season will also tackle the heavy subject matter revolving around Charlie's mental health and eating disorder, which was beginning to be explored in season 2. If you have read Alice Oseman's books, you have an idea of what's to come this season. But be warned that the themes of season 3 are much more mature than seasons past, in regards to mental health, sex, and other topics.

For a closer look at what will be happening in the upcoming episodes, here's the official season 3 synopsis via Netflix:

"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."

In the trailer for season 3, the kids' summer holiday dwindles down as the school year nears, but Charlie's mental health continues to decline. Both Nick and Tori express their concerns for his well-being as it's teased that he leaves to receive treatment. The season also explores the feelings of young love as it turns emotional to physical, but the realities of possibly moving away for university enter the minds of the friend group's couples.

Watch the season 3 trailer before tuning into the full season!

Heartstopper season 3 begins streaming on Thursday, Oct. 3 on Netflix.