'Heartstopper' Will Conclude with a Feature Length Film

Heartstopper Season 3 surprised many of its fans who had come to regard the series as a comfort watch. After two seasons of watching teen boys Nick (Kit Conner) and Charlie (Joe Locke) slow-motion fall in love with all the joyful and celebratory feelings that come along with it, reality set in. In the graphic novels, Charlie Spring suffers from disordered eating and deep insecurities. Though Seasons 1 and 2 didn't shy away from his mental health issues, Season 3 went full bore into them, as a reminder that love isn't magic, and that sometimes the best thing you can do for someone you love is get them help.

While critics praised the show's bravery, and viewers still tuned in with high viewership, Netflix was mum on the possibility of a fourth season. One reason is that the graphic novels upon which the show is based were published in 2023, Volume 5 of 6 (the webcomic is complete online, but only started issuing print editions in 2018). The final installment is scheduled for release sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. Moreover, Seasons 1 and 2 spanned two and a half volumes each, keeping pace with author Alice Oseman's publication of the print editions. With only one slim volume, was a fourth season even possible?

Apparently not, as Netflix has announced that Heartstopper will return for one more round, but not as an eight-episode season. Instead, the story will conclude with a single feature-length film.

Here's the film's synopsis:

Nick and Charlie are inseparable, but with Nick preparing to leave for university and Charlie finding new independence at school, the reality of a long-distance relationship begins to weigh on them. Doubts take hold, and their relationship faces its biggest challenge yet. Meanwhile, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on. Can first loves really last forever?

So far, the only cast members confirmed to return for the film are Connor (His Dark Materials) as Nick Nelson and Locke (Agatha All Along) as Charlie Spring, the teen lovebirds who anchor the story. However, fans should not be overly concerned; this is primarily a matter of contract negotiations. Netflix tends to sign casts — especially young casts — to three seasons at a time, which is partly why it always takes a minute to announce a fourth season for any series that lasts that long. With Connor and Locke signed on (and both also negotiating executive producer credits), it's a pretty good bet most of the core cast will sign on to return if asked.

Author Oseman will pen the film from her forthcoming final volume, with Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice) stepping in to direct, taking over from Euros Lyn, who directed all three seasons of the series. Oseman and Lyn join Connor and Locke in executive producing, alongside Patrick Walters, Iain Canning, and Emile Sherman.

The Heartstopper movie is expected to begin filming in 2025.