If there’s one lesson Heartstopper stars Kit Connor and Joe Locke want you to take away from their last scene in the Season 3 finale, it’s: “Practice safe sex,” they say together. “Take your time. There’s no rush,” Connor continues with a cheeky smile. It took them three whole seasons to do it, and they’re just fine.”

While the pair’s words might elicit a grin, it’s serious business as their characters — Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring — reach a new level of intimacy together. Although teenage lust is at play in the scene, it’s also the culmination of three seasons of feelings and growth for both of them. 

Series creator Alice Oseman calls the Season 3 ending the “the conclusion” of Charlie’s intense eight-episode journey of self-discovery. In the season premiere, Charlie doesn’t feel comfortable taking his shirt off at the beach. But, by Episode 8, he’s proud to shed all of his layers in front of the boy he loves. “It ends in such a joyful, beautiful place for both of them. Charlie finally has such confidence, security, and safety in himself — not just in his relationship,” Oseman says. 

The graphic novels that inspire Heartstopper include a slightly different, more uncertain extra scene, which points to Nick’s looming university decision and the threat of a long-distance relationship. But Oseman reveals they wanted to end Season 3 “on a high note.” Their stars are happy with the decision. 

“I think it really works so much better for the TV show,” Connor says, as Locke nods in agreement alongside him. “It’s such a nice, emotional end to the season. I’m really glad that it ended up that way.” 

The pair, along with their cast and Oseman, have so much more to say about Episode 8 — along with the rest of the YA drama’s latest poignant and passionate ride. Keep reading for your own A Levels study guide to Heartstopper Season 3. 

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What does the ending of Heartstopper Season 3 mean? 

Heartstopper’s Season 3 finale is marked by renewed optimism after Charlie’s painful mental health battle. Nick goes on a university tour road trip with Elle (Yasmin Finney), Tara (Corinna Brown), and Imogen (Rhea Norwood) while Charlie stays home to practice for his band’s big summer fete show. Charlie even decides to wear a T-shirt instead of a bulky sweater, nodding toward his improved body image.

Despite traffic, Nick eventually makes it to Charlie’s performance, where he’s already playing confidently. Giddy from the great night, they head home and straight to Nick’s room. In a vulnerable moment, Charlie asks Nick to take his shirt off before they get into bed together. Both boys realize what an important moment they’re sharing. The last frame of Season 3 shows the duo postcoitally holding each other to Oscar Lang’s “Million Little Reasons” as Heartstopper animated leaves blow around the romantic shot. Oseman is excited to show young people a teen couple who rejects the social pressure of quickly hitting the sheets — and “takes their time” with sex instead. 

“It’s something that I always knew we would get to in the show. It feels like a completely natural progression for their relationship,” Oseman explains. “They’ve both been through so much. But they reach a point where they do feel emotionally ready. So much of that storyline is about the emotions of it — asking, ‘How do I know if I'm ready?’ ” 

Locke is proud of the ending scene. “It really shows the progress that Charlie and Nick have made as a couple and individuals,” he says. “The characters are growing up, but they’ve not finished growing up yet.” 

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How did Heartstopper approach Charlie’s mental health journey? 

After seeing how much Charlie and Nick overcome in Season 3, their blissful final scene feels particularly meaningful. Earlier in the season, Charlie goes to a mental health facility and is diagnosed with anorexia and obsessive compulsive disorder; Nick must learn how to support a loved one through a challenging period while also maintaining his own mental health. The Heartstopper team went through two weeks of rehearsals, and Oseman says most of their conversations with Connor and Locke were about tackling this delicate storyline. 

“I know that they both love, more than anything, the moments that are more dramatic, that are darker, and that are more challenging for them to perform,” Oseman says. “It gives them something new and something different to be working on.” 

The showrunner wants Charlie’s journey to be relatable for viewers. “I hope it helps people feel understood and seen — and shows people how they can reach out for support,” they say. “So much of Season 3 is not just about Charlie’s darker moments, but about Charlie’s healing and the process of him taking those small steps to get himself to a better headspace.” 

Connor counts Episode 4, which tracks Charlie’s time at the mental health facility and Nick’s response at home, as his favorite episode of Season 3. “It was tricky to see Nick with this real sense of melancholy. He feels like he’s lost an arm or something,” he says. “But it’s really important that you see Nick like that. Because then you see him later in the season trying to work out how to be more himself and more comfortable with himself when Charlie isn’t there.” 

His co-star, Locke, also enjoyed bringing this storyline to life. “Because challenging yourself is always a good thing to do. But it’s also difficult making sure we did them respectfully and authentically,” he says. 

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How did Heartstopper approach its intimate scenes? 

As Tobie Donovan, who portrays Isaac, first told Tudum on the Heartstopper Season 3 set last year, the series was about to get a lot more mature. “It’s more grown-up. It’s more adult,” he promised. Part of that maturity is that couples beyond just Nick and Charlie are exploring sex this season — including Elle and Tao (Will Gao). 

Gao revealed on set that Heartstopper would explore the couple’s “sexual awakening.” In Season 3, we see Elle talk candidly with her boyfriend about approaching sex as a trans girl. 

“The realism of this series will really give people a view into what it’s like to be a trans person, especially a young trans woman,” Finney told Tudum last year. “I’m very lucky to be able to have that … I’m growing into a woman as Yasmin, and I’m able to play that through Elle.” 

Oseman reveals they found the heart of these scenes with Finney during the rehearsal process. “She felt like she really wanted to see a slightly more realistic side of Elle’s trans experience. So Yasmin and I had a lot of conversations about what that story should be, and a lot of it centers around her exploring sex with Tao,” they continue.   

“I’m really, really happy and excited about that story and obviously so grateful to Yasmin for getting involved in voicing her opinion. She helped me create a much better and more interesting and more impactful story for Elle.”  

Gao is also thankful for being a part of this important conversation. “In the bracket of Heartstopper being a very beautiful and idealistic show, I think it’s really good that we’re actually talking about some deeper things, and we’re layering it as the seasons go on, because that’s what life is like,” he said. 

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Are Tori and Michael dating? 

Although many Heartstopper couples are leaning into their relationships, one pair is in a bit of a gray area: Charlie’s sister, Tori (Jenny Walser), and her friend Michael (Darragh Hand). In the finale, we learn Michael is ready to call Tori his girlfriend, and Tori isn’t so sure. Even Charlie is confused about why Tori won’t say yes. 

Oseman says that the answer to Charlie’s question lies in her fifth Heartstopper novel, which the show hasn’t caught up to. In Volume 5, Tori tells Charlie that she believes she’s asexual. “This is why she has been quite confused by her relationship with Michael,” Oseman explains. “She clearly cares about and loves Michael a lot. But she doesn’t really know whether it counts as a relationship or not.” 

Donovan, who plays the YA drama’s other asexual character, is glad he gets to bring some much-needed representation to that community. “I haven’t seen loads of other ace stories being told on TV, but I feel really grateful that we get to tell this one. I get lots of lovely messages from people who are finally seeing themselves in a character on TV. I think it’s important for everyone,” he said. 

To keep the Heartstopper conversation going, keep coming back to Tudum for the latest on Charlie, Nick, and all of their friends. 

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