Heartstopper heartbreak as Nick faces tough choice – and potential exit

*This article contains spoilers for Heartstopper season three.*

The much-anticipated third season of Netflix's beloved dramedy Heartstopper has landed, offering fans a binge-worthy eight episodes brimming with heartfelt moments.

Adapted from Alice Oseman's acclaimed graphic novels, the show chronicles the life of young Charlie (portrayed by Joe Locke) as he weathers the storms of adolescence, mental health, and young love, particularly highlighting his blossoming relationship with Nick (played by Kit Connor).

In this latest instalment, viewers see Charlie and Nick, now a couple, grapple with expressing their feelings, culminating in a tender exchange of 'I love you's' early on in the season.

Yet, it's not the declarations of love that stir the waters this season. Over the course of the series, Charlie confronts his eating disorder head-on, while his friends Tara (Corinna Brown), Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), Isaac (Tobie Donovan), Imogen (Rhea Norwood), Tao (William Gao), and Elle (Yasmin Finney) navigate their own adolescent challenges, reports the Mirror.

As the season draws to a close, the focus shifts to future plans, with Nick and the girls embarking on a university road trip, leaving viewers questioning whether Nick will choose a path that keeps him near Charlie, who remains in sixth form, or if he'll venture further afield.

The final episode, aptly named "Apart," opens with an intimate moment between the couple, leading to a discovery on Nick's laptop he's been exploring the University of Leeds website.

"Some of these [universities] are really far away", notes Charlie. To which Nick promptly replies, "But my top choices are local. I've been kinda worried about being away from you."

Charlie feels comforted and jests