Heartstopper's latest season is finally out and making waves. The audience can't stop gushing over the relationship between their favorite couple, Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). While the first two seasons of the show were more breezy, this season was a bit more intense as Charlie battled with his body image and mental illness while having constant support from his boyfriend Nick and his friends.
While several mentions of Charlie's self-harm are made, and marks of this are also seen on his body in one of the scenes from the new season, the character doesn't try to kill himself on the show. Years of bullying, being outed, and his toxic boyfriend, Ben, have made Charlie a shy, awkward, and introverted teen. Heartstopper Season 3 explored mental health, especially in teens, and how it can impact important relationships around them.
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What mental illness does Charlie from Heartstopper have?
After several mentions and hints in previous seasons, Heartstopper's latest season explored Charlie's mental health in full swing. The initial episodes of the series show his boyfriend Nick suspecting him of having an eating disorder. After much hesitation, Charlie realizes he has issues and needs help.
Soon after, we see Charlie going to a mental health facility where he is diagnosed with anorexia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. His fears of body image are also clear in scenes where he is reluctant to take off his shirt at the beach and while changing in front of Nick. Years of bullying and the inability to control his life led to an eating disorder where controlling food became a part of his life.
Charlie's journey of battling mental health issues with Nick by his side is a much-needed representation of teen mental health in media. Characters like Charlie prove that one can improve with the right help and support.
What happens to Nick and Charlie at the end of Heartstopper Season 3?
Series creator Alice Oseman feels that the ending of Heartstopper is the perfect conclusion to Charlie's journey of self-discovery. While Nick goes on a University tour trip with his friends Elle (Yasmin Finney), Tara (Corinna Brown), and Imogen (Rhea Norwood), Charlie stays back home to practice for his band's summer show.
This season also showed the couple exploring intimacy like never before, a mix of heightened feelings and emotions built up from three previous seasons. It is refreshing to see a teen couple taking their time to have s*x when almost every other show shows teenage lust.
''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?''', Alice Oseman, on Charlie and Nick exploring intimacy in Heartstopper
The show's ending also shows the couple's progress since the beginning of their relationship. Charlie finally sheds the layers of sweaters and wears a T-shirt in front of his boyfriend. This is a bold step for Charlie and the beginning of his comfort with his body in front of the boy he loves.
While there is no official confirmation on Heartstopper Season 4, we wish to see more of Nick and Charlie soon.
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