The hit Netflix teen drama “Heartstopper” released its third season this month. Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series, the show follows the blossoming romance of Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson as high school students. Season three continues their story while tackling more mature themes.

The new season picks up where the last one ended, with Nick having come out as bisexual and their relationship now public. According to reviewers, this season delves deeper into both the joys and challenges of maintaining a young romance. It also explores heavier issues like mental illness, eating disorders, and the difficulties of long-distance relationships when facing university or treatment programs.

Oneexample noted bycritics is a beach scene where Charlie expresses his love for Nick, but their moment is interrupted by Nick’s concern over Charlie’s potential eating disorder. This encapsulates how the show addresses both the excitement of new love and serious personal struggles.

Writer and creator Alice Oseman continues adapting her graphic novels faithfully for the screen. Animated elements are still used to convey emotions, connecting viewers to characters’ feelings. While past seasons focused on queer representation and coming out stories, reviewers say season three deals with the heaviest topics yet – including anorexia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and abusive relationships.

Nonetheless, the core focus remains on Nick and Charlie’s evolving bond. It examines how young love can bring both joy and hardship, especially facing separation. In one highlighted scene, Nick feels lonely without Charlie at a Halloween party while dressed as a Marvel character. This raw depiction of love’s darker emotions marks a tonal shift.

By avoiding romantic triangles or “will they/won’t they” tropes common to teen shows, “Heartstopper”zeroes in on maintaining real relationships. This makes it relatable to diverse audiences beyond teens. As the graphic novel series wraps up, Netflix has not yet renewed the show for season four while fans can read new installments online until then.