Spoilers are ahead for Heartstopper season 3.
This article mentions difficult topics that are discussed in the show, including mental illness.
Despite being one of the most memorable parts of the Netflix adaptation’s first outing, Olivia Colman didn’t return forHeartstopperseason 3. In the coming-of-age romantic drama’s first two seasons, Colman plays Sarah Nelson, Nick Nelson’s (Kit Connor) mother. Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series of the same name,Heartstoppercenters on the budding romance between Nick and Charlie Spring (Joe Locke). Loving, supportive, and perceptive, Sarah has easily become one of the show’s best parental figures, which made it all the more disappointing (and surprising) when Colman didn’t joinHeartstopperseason 3’s cast of characters.
Picking up whereHeartstopperseason 2’s endingleft off, the third outing sees Charlie navigating a dreaded rite of passage: saying “I love you” to Nick for the first time. After Charlie faints from not eating enough on a school trip in the sophomore season, Nick also has something important to discuss with Charlie. While supporting characters, including Tara (Corinna Brown), Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), Isaac (Tobie Donovan), Elle (Yasmin Finney), and Tao (William Gao), still have major roles,there’s a renewed focus on Charlie’s familyinHeartstopperseason 3. This shift makes the absence of Colman’s Sarah even more glaring.
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Several months before the show’s return, viewers received adisappointing update about Colman’sHeartstopperseason 3 plans. Although Colman’s role as Sarah Nelson is relatively minor, she’s also a vital part of Nick’s world. In fact, the moving scene inHeartstopperseason 1’s ending, which sees Nick coming out to Sarah, might still be the show’s most emotional moment yet. Sarah has always provided a welcome contrast to other fictional characters' parents.In season 2, Colman’s character appeared more frequentlyas viewers learned about Nick’s homophobic brother, David (Jack Barton), and their absent father, Stéphane (Thibault de Montalembert).
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Despite this promising shift in the second season, Colman was unable to re-join the cast due to scheduling conflicts.The actor admitted that she felt “awful” about missing outon theambitious, mature, and effectiveHeartstopperseason 3. The Oscar-winning actor, who has appeared in everything fromThe FavouriteandThe CrowntoBroadchurchandThe Bear, added thatHeartstopperwas “one of the most beautiful things” that she has ever been part of in her career. Unfortunately, timing really is everything when it comes to the business of making movies and TV shows.
How Olivia Colman’s Heartstopper Season 3 Exit Changed The Show’s Story
Nick Was Forced To Lean On Other Characters For Support In Season 3
Colman’s absence was definitely deeply felt inHeartstopperseason 3. Funnily enough,Nick spends a lot of time at home during the third outing, which means the show must constantly skirt the fact that Sarah isn’t around. Since Nick and his mother would often bump into each other in the kitchen or spend quiet time together in the evenings, it’s hard to grapple with her sudden disappearance in season 3. Colman’s character is most glaringly missing inHeartstopperseason 3’s Christmas episode, which doesn’t bother to address Sarah’s absence. Thankfully, Nick’s dog Nellie is still around to provide emotional support.
“Love can’t cure mental illness,” Sarah tells Nick in one ofHeartstopper’s most beautiful passages.
However, Nellie isn’t the only one providing Nick with some much-needed support.Heartstopperseason 3 also introduces Nick’s aunt, Diane (Hayley Atwell), to deliver one of Sarah’s most memorable lines from the graphic novels. In Oseman’s source material, Nick has a heart-to-heart with his mom about Charlie navigating depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder. “Love can’t cure mental illness,” Sarah tells Nick in one ofHeartstopper’s most beautiful passages. While Colman was unable to deliver this line in the show,Atwell’s Aunt Diane serves as Nick’s key supportas he’s figuring out how to talk to Charlie.
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Colman’s Future In The Heartstopper Series Is Unclear — But It Would Make Sense For Her To Return
While theending ofHeartstopperseason 3leaves Nick, Charlie, and their friends in a good place, Oseman has teased that a fourth season would likely be the show’s last. Netflix has yet to renewHeartstopperfor season 4, but, if the show does come back for a final time,it would be great to have Colman return in at least a guest role. Toward the end of the season, Nick, Tara, Elle, and Imogen (Rhea Norwood) go on a tour of universities. Nick realizes that a uni that’s further from home might actually be the best fit for him.
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Understandably, Nick is nervous about the idea of leaving Charlie. If Netflix green-lights a fourth season,Nick’s university thread would definitely continue, which pretty much necessitates Colman’s return. Even if her appearance is brief, Sarah would surely dole out indispensable advice to her son about his future. Hopefully, Colman’s schedule isn’t too busy for her to visit the set ofHeartstopperone last time.
Heartstopper
Heartstopper is an LGBTQ+ coming-of-age teen romantic comedy based on the webcomic/graphic novel created by Alice Oseman. The show is viewed through the eyes of a young gay British teen named Charlie Spring, whose crush on a classmate grows into something more meaningful as they slowly get closer throughout the series. The show navigates the challenges of LGBTQ+ youth during tumultuous adolescent years.
