‘Heartstopper’ Season 3 ending, explained: Where Nick and Charlie stand now

Alice Oseman, the creator of "Heartstopper," has consistently stated that the graphic novel series adapted into a Netflix show will conclude on a positive note.

The vibrant orange and blue leaves that swirl around during the characters' intense emotions, along with its uplifting synth music, create a nostalgic narrative about first love. Although Season 3, released on Netflix on October 3rd, delves into deeper themes, the latest episodes maintain that emotional essence.

To recap, the first season of the show wrapped up with Nick and Charlie enjoying a date on the beach, where they talked about their future as newly formed boyfriends.

In Season 2's finale, Nick reveals that he is bisexual, and the friends celebrate prom night with a charming house party montage featuring Taylor Swift's song "Seven." Additionally, Nick and Charlie come close to expressing their love for each other.

In the first season, we explore the transition from having a crush to entering a relationship, while the second season focuses on making that love known to others. Now, in the third season, there are two main storylines, as Kit Connor and Joe Locke share with TODAY.com.

"The season has a clear division," Locke, who portrays Charlie, explains. "The first part focuses more on facing challenges and tackling personal problems to improve your relationship."

"Then, the latter part focuses on how their relationship evolves and how they grow as individuals, maturing into young adults," Connor continues.

At the conclusion of prom night in Season 2, Episode 8, Nick checks in on Charlie when he realizes he seems distant and isn't eating much. Charlie opens up to Nick about having hurt himself before, but he reassures him that he no longer does that.

In Season 3, we can expect a deeper look into Charlie's challenges with his mental health. The official trailer shows Nick taking a moment to talk to a noticeably distant Charlie, expressing his concern by saying, "I'm truly worried about you."

In this part of Season 3, we explore how mental health is addressed, the evolution of relationships, and what these developments mean for Nick and Charlie's future, as discussed by Locke and Connor.

????Caution: This article reveals key plot details for Season 3 of “Heartstopper.”

What Happens At The End Of 'Heartstopper' Season 3?

Season 3 of "Heartstopper" features eight episodes that explore deep emotional themes. The opening episode, titled "Love," continues the story from the end of Season 2, with Charlie eager to express his feelings and Nick hoping that Charlie will share more about his struggles with mental health.

By the conclusion of the season, both aspects are resolved.

By the halfway point of Season 3, Charlie must confront the impact his mental health challenges have on his life.

In Episode 4, he checks into a hospital for residential care where he receives a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anorexia is a condition characterized by a severe restriction or excessive control over food intake. On the other hand, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves persistent unwanted thoughts, known as obsessions, that drive individuals to engage in repetitive actions, referred to as compulsions, which can create significant anxiety and disrupt everyday life.

Locke shared with TODAY.com that his aim was to depict a person dealing with anorexia and OCD in a way that is both genuine and respectful.

“It’s really challenging to accurately depict this topic on screen, and the last thing you want to do is to offend or upset anyone unintentionally,” he explains. “I reached out to people I know and conducted extensive research to ensure I was avoiding any unnecessary stereotypes.”

In the series, Charlie shares his diagnosis with Nick during a phone call, which is one of his initial conversations from the clinic.

"I was honestly a bit taken aback by the OCD. I have so many guidelines in my mind about what I eat, and if I stray from them, it feels like I won't make it," Charlie explains, letting out a soft laugh. "I have to find humor in it; otherwise, I'll just end up in tears."

"Even if you're dealing with anorexia and OCD, Nick says that the word 'sorry' is still off-limits."

By the end of Episode 4, Charlie comes back home after finishing his treatment. The rest of the season explores his journey as he engages with a therapist, follows a meal plan, and focuses on improving his communication with his family.

The latter part of the season mainly focuses on Nick and Charlie as they explore deepening their relationship.

Following a candid discussion about Charlie's anxiety regarding taking off his shirt—he expresses, "I don’t look anything like Jack Maddox," (we'll talk more about him later)—the pair chooses to move forward with having sex in the final moments of Episodes 7 and 8.

The title of the season finale, "Apart," suggests the challenges that lie ahead, especially regarding Nick's upcoming graduation.

Nick, who is a year older than Charlie, is beginning his search for universities. However, the one that is nearest to home—and to Charlie—might not be the school he's interested in.

In Episode 8, Nick, Tara (played by Corinna Brown), Imogen (Rhea Norwood), and Elle (Yasmin Finney) take a trip to visit a university. While returning, they find themselves stuck in traffic and nearly miss a festival where Charlie and his band are set to perform. However, staying true to the spirit of "Heartstopper," the episode wraps up with a heartwarming moment as the group makes it just in time.

A Surprise Cameo By Jonathan Bailey

On a more cheerful note, the latter part of Season 3 features a much-awaited appearance by a famous celebrity.

In Episode 6, Jonathan Bailey plays the role of Jack Maddox, a Classics expert and the object of Charlie's admiration. The two go to one of his talks, and by the end of it, Nick is also amazed and at a loss for words after encountering Maddox.

Locke mentions that he and Connor gain a great deal of knowledge from working alongside individuals like Bailey during filming.

"You can gain a wealth of knowledge from those who excel in their field, and simply observing his approach and work ethic is incredibly valuable," Locke explains.

What specific guidance does Bailey have to offer?

"I believe he didn't have quite enough time, sadly," Connor comments. "I’m certain that if he had been around for a little longer and we had provided him with more tasks, he could have shared more of his insights with us."

"Honestly, he had some really complicated lines to deliver, and it seemed like he was just trying to nail them down. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to pull it off as quickly and smoothly as he did," he continues.

What’s Next For Nick And Charlie?

Although "Heartstopper" hasn't received an official confirmation for a fourth season, Connor believes there is still a lot more to discover in the relationship between Nick and Charlie.

"Connor notes that it will be interesting to observe how their relationship develops as they face new challenges, like the possibility of a long-distance dynamic or simply dealing with the ups and downs of life and emotions."

Season 3 covers material from the first five volumes of Alice Oseman's "Heartstopper" graphic novel series, with the fifth volume being released in the U.S. in December 2023.

Oseman has revealed that the series will wrap up with Volume 6, which she is currently writing. In a September interview with The Guardian, she mentioned, "I’m only 50 pages into it, but I’m clear on the storyline and the dialogue. Now, I’m just focused on illustrating it, which is what I enjoy most."

If a fourth season of "Heartstopper" is confirmed, it would draw from the sixth volume and a novella titled "Nick and Charlie," as Oseman shared on her Patreon in May. "Nick and Charlie" was originally released in 2015 and takes place before Nick heads off to college.

Regarding the content of Volume 6, Oseman mentioned her desire for it to serve as an "epilogue" that captures the essence of "Heartstopper." She aims to focus on the ongoing development of Nick and Charlie’s relationship, as well as the highs and lows of their time in school together.

In 2023, Oseman shared with Attitude Magazine that she has been aware for a long time of how "Heartstopper" will conclude.

"I'm not going to give anything away," Oseman stated. "But I can say that it wraps up on a positive note."

Maddie Ellis works as a weekend editor for TODAY Digital.