Heartstopper season 3 is a considerate evolution of the present as its characters face new challenges. At its core, Heartstopper is a joyful expression of younger queer love and friendship, anchored by the romance between Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor). The first two seasons had been dominated by a candy-colored palette, neatly incorporating Heartstopper‘s comedian roots with bursts of animation at key moments.

However, the tip of Heartstopper season 2 got here to a crossroads – its characters had been rising up, and the present was toying with some heavier materials than it had explored beforehand. The finale hinted at a darker, extra mature tone going ahead, which it totally embraces in season 3. While the enjoyment the present is understood for is definitely on show in some components of the brand new season, this can be a decidedly heavier run of episodes than Heartstopper has tried up to now.

Heartstopper Season 3 Tackles Some Tough Topics

Charlie’s Story Is Hard To Watch But Handled Well

This is particularly the case within the first half of the season, which is essentially dedicated to Charlie’s deteriorating psychological well being and consuming dysfunction. While there are many tough-to-watch moments consequently, the present handles that growth with a degree of care that’s spectacular even by Heartstopper’s requirements. While Charlie’s perspective is given the display time it deserves, I got here away from season 3 much more impressed by the best way the present explores the toll it takes on Nick, Tori (Jenny Walser), and the opposite individuals who care about Charlie.

The season explores a number of thorny stuff concerning the burden of being a caretaker, the potential hazard in letting a relationship – even a beautiful one – devour you, and the best way a brand new love modifications dynamics with family and friends. Those are fairly bold ideas for any present to sort out, and season 3 not solely doesn’t shrink back from them however greater than does them justice. It involves a head in episode 4, a season standout that covers a number of months of Charlie’s well being struggles and Nick’s response to them.

As a part of its extra grownup tone, the season explores intercourse in a means it hasn’t earlier than, which looks like a pure turning level contemplating many of the characters are actually in relationships and getting older. I used to be curious to see the present’s tackle this and never stunned that its strategy was fairly mild and candy, exploring it realistically however not in a means that takes the present in a too-graphic course.

Heartstopper Season 3 Takes Advantage Of Its Ensemble

Charlie’s Friends Come Together & The Performances Are Impressive

While Charlie is understandably a focus of the brand new episodes, the Netflix present put a number of time into establishing his pal group within the first two seasons, and that basically pays off this time round. The characters are so wealthy and their dynamics are so well-established at this level that the present can decide any two buddies, put them collectively, and have it really feel fully pure. For instance, Nick has some fantastic scenes with individuals it would be simple to label as “Charlie’s friends”, however it’s clear they’re simply as intent on supporting Nick as they’re Charlie.

With the heavier materials, it is an actual pleasure to look at Heartstopper’s youthful actors turn out to be much more assured of their performances. In season 3, the place Charlie bottles rather a lot up as Nick worries about him, Kit Connor’s tendency to play Nick fairly brazenly juxtaposed with Joe Locke’s extra restrained strategy is especially efficient.

While Olivia Colman’s absence is conspicuous at occasions – scheduling conflicts prevented her from returning as Nick’s mother – Hayley Atwell is completely solid as Nick’s aunt, bringing a heat however no-nonsense vitality suited to what he wants on the time. Ted Lasso followers will take pleasure in seeing Annette Badland (aka Mae) pop up as Darcy’s gran, and Jonathan Bailey’s look is temporary however memorable, resulting in one of many season’s funnier moments.

Heartstopper Season 3’s Darker Turn Is Earned But Might Leave Some Viewers Wanting More

The Joyous Moments That Defined The First Two Seasons Aren’t As Prominent This Time Around

If there’s a adverse to season 3’s barely darker and extra mature tone, it’s that the enjoyable, romantic moments aren’t fairly as plentiful as they had been within the first two seasons. There are nonetheless joyous scenes to be discovered, however I want that they had somewhat extra time to breathe. While the present used to experience swoony, romantic moments, letting us soak them in and really feel the character’s pleasure, there’s not fairly as a lot time to have a good time earlier than we’re hit with one other unhappy second in season 3.

I used to be additionally left wanting a bit extra for one of many present’s new pairings: Tori and Michael. While Tori is given much more to do that season to nice impact, a lot of it entails Charlie, which suggests there’s not fairly as a lot time for her and Michael. The two are a delight and assist present a number of the season’s lighter moments, and a bit extra time with them would have benefited each the characters and the season’s tone.

Heartstopper season 3 ends in a hopeful place, albeit with out a lot decision for some storylines. This feels acceptable for this specific season. As these episodes clarify, the characters are rising up and dealing with new challenges; their lives are rather a lot messier than they was. The finish of the season left me hoping for a season 4 renewal sooner slightly than later, and after seeing the brand new episodes, I count on many will really feel the identical.

All eight episodes of Heartstopper season 3 will probably be obtainable to stream on Netflix on October 3.