There's a Surprise New Character in 'Heartstopper's First Look Images

If the dog days of summer have you turning up the air conditioning and wishing you could fast-forward to autumn, the good news is that one of Netflix’s most anticipated releases of the fall feels closer now than ever. Heartstopper has released first-look images for its third season, along with some details about a new character, bringing the show’s forthcoming installment into focus.

Heartstopper, adapted from a webcomic-turned-graphic novel by Alice Oseman, follows teens Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) as they meet, fall in love, and grow their ever-expanding group of friends who each have their own coming-of-age stories to tell. Season 2, which landed on Netflix in August 2023, ended with Nick and Charlie having a more serious conversation about their relationship, stopping just short of three words that begin with I, L, and Y.

Series creator and writer Oseman teased a more serious turn for Season 3. “While Heartstopper will always celebrate the joyful and point towards hope, I’m really excited that we are allowing the tone of the show to mature alongside our beloved characters growing up,” Oseman said to Netflix. “Mental health, sex, university ambitions, and more: Nick, Charlie, and the Heartstopper teens are getting older, learning more about themselves and each other, and experiencing new desires, new fears, and new joys as they approach adulthood.”