The third season of Heartstopper, which fans were eagerly waiting for, was released on Netflix on October 3. It marked the return of leads Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke), who were figuring out their relationship and wondering what would happen next. However, one person in particular is missing. Nick’s loving mother Sarah, played by Olivia Colman, is nowhere to be found this season.
Fans have greatly appreciated Coleman’s presence as Nick’s mother, especially in the scene where she comes out as bisexual and is accepted with grace and support. Such heartwarming mother-son moments are missing from this season. However, the Fleabag actress regrets that she could not shoot for this season.
In an interview with Forbes, Coleman cited his busy work responsibilities as the main reason for not being a part of season three. She said, “I couldn’t do number three. I couldn’t fit in. I feel very bad about it. I feel like I was a part of one of the most beautiful things ever.” Nevertheless, she said that she would have no problem with shooting a spin-off or a fourth season, in which she would happily participate.
In a tearful scene in Alice Osman’s graphic novel, Nick talks to Sarah about his boyfriend Charlie and Charlie’s struggles with mental illness. Sarah explains to her son, “Love can’t cure mental illness,” making it a key scene for Season 3 of the show. Osman understood that Coleman would not be available so she had to take another route.
The Heartstopper creator told Entertainment Weekly, “I knew the conversation needed to be had, but sadly it couldn’t happen with Nick’s mother. So I had a backup plan at the time.” In the comics, Nick’s aunt and uncle are Diane and Richard, who were written out of the series because they did not contribute much to the plot. However, since there is no Coleman, Osman came up with the idea of adding the aunt and then making her a physician.
Not long after finding out that Coleman had scheduling conflicts, he learned that Hayley Atwell, known for Captain America and Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning, was interested in stepping into the series and joining the cast . Osman and his team took advantage of the opportunity as the Agent Carter actress herself will be joining the cast in the third season.
Osman explained the process of recreating the scenes to the outlet, saying, “At that point, obviously, I couldn’t push her into the story just for that one scene. It wouldn’t make any sense.” He highlighted how he had to add and change some new scenes while still introducing the character of Aunt Diane and establishing her relationship with Nick. This was followed by a gentle segway to the series’ final scene, which retained the same emotional impact as the presence of Nick’s mother would have.
Season 3 of Kit Connor, Joe Locke and Hayley Atwell’s Heartstopper, which doesn’t star Olivia Colman, is available to binge watch on Netflix.
Also read: Heartstopper star Joe Locke reacts to receiving hatred from Agatha during casting; Say ‘Sorry!’
