Heartstopper season 3 is now streaming on Netflix, and what an emotional rollercoaster of a season it was! While watching the new installment, you'll quickly notice that there's a shift in tone. Actually, a change in tone was first noticed from season 1 to season 2.
While season 1 was more light-hearted, focusing primarily on the sweet beginnings of Nick and Charlie's budding romance, season 2 took on more of a serious tone, exploring deeper emotional themes such as coming out, identity, and personal struggles.
Some of those personal struggles concerned Charlie, who we find out in the second season struggles with his mental health and exhibits concerning behaviors related to food intake. Nick tries his best to be there for Charlie, and while things seem to be looking up for him at the end of the second season, those same issues Charlie was dealing with rear their ugly heads in the third season.
Spoilers ahead from Heartstopper season 3!
Heartstopper season 3 spends most of its time focusing on Charlie's ongoing struggle when dealing with his mental health, while Nick tries to be the best boyfriend and support system he can be. After seeking medical help and spending two months in a treatment facility, Charlie comes out hopeful that he can overcome his eating disorder and manage his OCD better. Meanwhile, the rest of his and Nick's friend group have their own struggles to deal with, whether it be personal struggles or relationship struggles.
Everyone's growing up and maturing in Heartstopper season 3 as they approach adulthood. But where do our favorite British teens end up at the end of the season? Do any of the main couples stay together? Are any new couples formed? What do some of the year 12s decide to do next after sixth form? There's so much that happens at the end of the season, and we've shared everything below.
Here's everything that happened in the Heartstopper season 3 finale and some other things that happened in the third season as a whole:
- Charlie and Nick, Elle and Tao, and Tara and Darcy all remain couples throughout the entire season, even though they have their fair share of relationship troubles.
- Although Elle's struggle with body dysmorphia initially stops her and Tao from having sex, she eventually realizes that she has nothing to worry about because Tao loves her for her. After coming to this realization, she sleeps with Tao for the first time.
- After several failed attempts at having sex, including on Charlie's 16th birthday, Charlie and Nick finally sleep together for the first time after they have a heart-to-heart conversation about Nick's well-being and future.
- Isaac comes to terms with his sexual and romantic orientation as asexual and aromantic and tells all of his friends about it.
- While on the college trip, Imogen confesses to Nick that she's never really liked boys. She and Sahar make out at the Halloween party and even share a passionate kiss at the New Year's Eve party, but they ultimately decide to remain friends. It's obvious that she and Sahar still like each other, though.
- Charlie decides to stay at Truham Grammar School for sixth form and applies to be Head Boy after Mr. Ajayi suggests that he does.
- Darcy comes out as non-binary and decides that they will take a gap year after sixth form.
- Viewers don't find out what Tara's plans are after sixth form. However, she makes it clear to her friends that she doesn't want to go to Oxford. In fact, she tells them that she doesn't want any more academia altogether.
- Elle tells Tao that she's considering attending art school in Europe after finishing sixth form.
- We never find out Nick's plans after sixth form, but it's obvious that he wants to attend Leeds University, which is further away from home and Charlie.
- It's unclear if Tori and Michael get together at the end of the season, but after a talk with Charlie, it looks like Tori may be open now to seeing where things could go with Michael.
- The last scene of the season shows Charlie and Nick sleeping together again, but this time around, Charlie feels comfortable enough to take off his shirt.
Did you enjoy watching Heartstopper season 3 on Netflix?