Adaptations
7 Pivotal Book-to-Screen Changes in ‘Heartstopper’ Season 3
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Heartstopper Season 3. The following post also contains discussions of disordered eating.]
In Season 3 of Netflix’s romantic drama Heartstopper, Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) check more than a few firsts off their lists as a couple.
The first time they say “I love you” (and the million times after that). The first time they spend an extended period of time apart when Nick goes on vacation with his family to Menorca. Their first couple challenge as Charlie is sent to a treatment facility for his eating disorder. And, of course, their first time having sex.
Fans of Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series, on which the show is based, knew all of this was coming because, in some cases, it happens word for word as it did in the books – primarily Volume 4 and Volume 5. But in other cases, Oseman, who also writes the series, changed things up for fans onscreen.
With Season 3 out in the world and questions swirling about what could be next, let’s take a look at some of the biggest book-to-show changes in Heartstopper Season 3.
If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association at 1-800-931-2237 or text NEDA to 741-741.
Heartstopper, Season 3, Streaming Now, Netflix
Oliver, At Last!
In Oseman’s graphic novels, Charlie and Tori (Jenny Walser) have a younger brother named Oliver, who is a sorely missed presence in the TV series where Oliver is only mentioned as a cousin. But he finally makes an appearance in the “Winter” episode this season, which is partially based on Oseman’s novella This Winter. There are pretty adorable scenes of Charlie, Tori, and Oliver playing Mario Kart and opening presents. But the real crux of the episode is derived from the intense state of frustration Charlie is in as his extended family tries and fails to acknowledge with some degree of sympathy and kindness his recent treatment for anorexia and OCD.
He ends up fleeing to the much more understanding haven that is Nick’s house, followed by an abandoned Tori who just wants to make sure her brother is OK. Oliver gets a few appearances in the episode, but not like he is woven throughout the books. Nevertheless, it was nice to see the little guy!
Tao and Elle: Trailblazers
At the beginning of Volume 5, Charlie confides in Tao (William Gao) and Aled (Issac in the show) that his latest makeout sessions with Nick have… felt different. In the book, Tao insists that maybe they should consider it is time to have sex, to which Charlie gets more than a little flustered. As that conversation continues in the book, Tao also panics when asked if he and Elle have done the deed yet. But in the show, Tao and Elle (Yasmin Finney) have already taken that step after a heartfelt New Year’s Eve exchange that rivaled even the fireworks exploding outside.
While the Tao of Season 1 was a self-centered, self-conscious friend, his experience with Elle in more ways than one have made him a pillar of confidence to help and encourage his best friend Charlie. We like this Tao even better than in Oseman’s pages.
Aunt Diane Steps In
In Volume 3 of Oseman’s graphic novel series, Nick comes to terms with Charlie’s eating disorder while on vacation in Menorca. That internal reckoning culminates in a moonlit heart-to-heart with his mother on the beach, where she assures him he can only do so much for Charlie as his boyfriend — no matter how much he loves him. But with Olivia Colman not available to play Nick’s mum this season, Hayley Atwell assumes the role of sage advisor as Aunt Diane, who does briefly appear in the novels. A qualified psychiatrist, as she puts it, Diane is the one who consoles Nick as he crumbles under the uncertainty of how to help Charlie.
The moment is a poignant and important anchor that Nick constantly relies on as things get tough with Charlie, and Diane’s subtle presence throughout the season is a nice reminder of her advice. While there’s no replacing the warmth Colman offers as Nick’s mum, Atwell serves as a pretty good second-string pitcher for a Nick in need. In the novel, his insufferable brother David is also on this vacation, but thankfully, the show left him at home. The less time spent with him, the better.
Uni Trip
When Nick, Tara (Corinna Brown), and Elle leave to go look at uni options later in Volume 5, it is just the three of them on the eye-opening road trip. But in the series, there’s a fourth person in the car: Imogen (Rhea Norwood). This season, Imogen has struggled to understand who she is and what she wants after a brief tryst with Sahar (Leila Khan). It’s been a long road for Imogen, from the girl hopelessly pining for Nick to the girl ready to seize her future. While she isn’t a part of the books, we are glad to have her on the journey in the TV series.
Tara Feels the Pressure
Among those participants in the uni trip is Tara, who, like many of the supporting characters, has a much bigger role to play in the series as she figures out her future. Her uncertainty about what to do with the rest of her life manifests at Charlie’s birthday party as a panic attack. She is paralyzed by her options and overwhelmed about what is the right move. She gets some moral support from Charlie and her partner, Darcy (Kizzy Edgell). But the road trip certainly helps, as does the therapeutic nature of her dancing. Nevertheless, the Tara of the series struggles a lot more in Season 3 than her graphic novel counterpart.
Baring It All
As Charlie and Nick struggle to get on the same page about when, where, and how to have sex for the first time, one of Charlie’s biggest concerns is his own fear that if Nick, who is good shape (especially when he is embodied by Connor), will like his more slender frame with his shirt off. This is such a big part of Charlie’s journey to a steadier sense of self-confidence that it serves as the climactic first step that he and Nick take in the season finale. BUT! There is one other moment in the books that didn’t make the show. While Nick is on his self-discovery trek to different universities, he FaceTimes Charlie after a rough day, and Charlie has just gotten out of the shower. As he gets dressed in front of Nick, he’s shirtless, which the comic panel says Nick was “unprepared” to see. It’s a little moment but shows that the Charlie of the books and the Charlie of the show are a little different in their journeys.
Lingering Lust
On the topic of that final scene, the series closes out Nick and Charlie’s first time with a montage of tender, dialogue-free cuddle scenes as they bask in the afterglow of this big step. In Oseman’s book, however, she takes the opportunity to tease the next hurdle in their story — university. Nick finally tells Charlie that he really likes Leeds, which would mean a four-hour distance between them while Charlie finishes school.
In fact, one of the final things said in the book is the dreaded three words — “long-distance relationship.” That concern already lingers over the final moments of Season 3, but it is notable that the show doesn’t have that conversation and instead lets Nick and Charlie linger in that quiet moment just a little bit longer before they face the future.
