Heartstopper Season 3 is out on Netflix, but fans won't see Nick's supportive mother Sarah, played by Olivia Colman. Despite the widely loved role, Colman couldn't make it to the series' latest and third installment.
While the series focuses on Nick and Charlie's relationship and their school life, Colman's character adds emotional depth to Nick's story. Her departure has left many fans disappointed as they loved watching the adorable mother-son duo, embracing their identities.
As seen in Heartstopper Season 2, Nick finally came out as bisexual and was happy to receive his mother's support. The season ended with the friends enjoying a prom night and vibing to Taylor Swift's Seven.
While talking about her exit from the teen drama, Olivia Colman said:
"I couldn’t do number three. I couldn’t fit it in. I feel awful about that. I feel like I was part of one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever been part of."
The actress was then asked if she would consider returning for a spin-off based on her character or a potential Heartstopper Season 4, to which Colman said she might return if the schedule works out.
Why won't Olivia Colman return for Heartstopper Season 3?
Olivia Colman's busy schedule didn't allow her to sign up for Heartstopper Season 3 but might consider if there's another season in the future. The actress is one of the most acclaimed celebrities in the entertainment world and has been honored with an Academy Award for playing Queen Anne in The Favorite (2018).
The actress is set to return as Angela Burr for the highly anticipated The Night Manager Season 2, followed by Tom Hiddleston in the leading role. The first season came out in 2016 and became incredibly popular. The series is currently in development, so there's no exact release date.
So even if you couldn't see Olivia Colman in Heartstopper Season 3, get ready to watch her playing Angela in the upcoming thriller. The actress is also the UNICEF UK's president since 2020 and has been actively managing her duties.
Did Hayley Atwell replace Olivia Colman in Heartstopper Season 3?
No, Hayley Atwell hasn't replaced Olivia Colman as Sarah, instead, she has joined the hit Netflix series as Nick's aunt Diane. While Sarah isn't around, Nick will be looked after by his aunt, who's as supportive as Sarah.
Atwell's casting was important as there's a scene in Alice Oseman's novel where Nick is discussing Charlie's mental illness with his mother, to which she says "Love can't cure mental illness," making the conversation a crucial moment in the book.
Since this cannot be ignored in Heartstopper Season 3, Oseman came up with a "backup plan" and introduced Aunt Diane as Nick's emotional support for the ongoing season. The author told Entertainment Weekly that:
"I knew that conversation needed to happen, but sadly it couldn't be with Nick's mom. So I did have a backup plan at that point."
Following Colman's departure, executive producer Patrick Walters also shared a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account explaining that they tried hard for the character but couldn't make it. However, Walters also mentioned that "the feels will still be there", likely hinting at Atwell's Aunt Diane in the latest installment.
Heartstopper Season 3 is streaming on Netflix.
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