OlderOlivia Colman Exits 'Heartstopper' Season 3, Creator Alice Oseman Addresses How This Affects the Story
Olivia Colman will NOT be appearing in the upcoming third season of Heartstopper!
The Oscar-winning actress played Nick’s (Kit Connor) mom in the first two seasons, but unfortunately ran into some scheduling issues that didn’t allow for her to reprise her role this season.
“I couldn’t do number three. I couldn’t fit it in. I feel awful about that,” she told Forbes, adding, “I feel like I was part of one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever been part of.”
She did express interest in returning for season four, should the show get picked up.
“As long as it’s booked in advance, maybe I’ll be able to do it, yeah!” she added.
Producer Patrick Walters and creator/writer Alice Oseman addressed Olivia‘s exit and how it will affect the story in season three.
Keep reading to see what they said…
“we really tried, but it wasn’t meant to be this season. what initially turned out to be disappointing news ended up leaving space for something different, but equally special- the feels will still be there dw 🍂🫶💕,” Patrick shared on his Twitter/X account.
Alice took to their Instagram story to share several posts addressing the casting change.
“As many of you have heard today, the wonderful Olivia Colman will not be returning to the show for season three. We tried absolutely everything we could, but it wasn’t meant to be, and that’s just the way the TV world works sometimes. We are so deeply grateful to Olivia for the stunning performance she gave to the show and wish her the absolute best!”
Alice then addressed recasting her, and that one scene in the comic that fans were really looking forward to happening in season three.
“We did not re-cast Sarah, and I know many of you – comic fans especially – will be upset and concerned about how we will move forward without Nick’s mum. I know there is one scene in particular that many of you have been looking forward to in season 3, and you be feeling disappointed and disheartened with us. I totally understand – I was really worried too, when I first found out!”
“If there is one thing I could as of you, it’s to not give up on us qiute yet. I have done everything in my power to preserve that scene as written in the comic, and I’ve written in some new elements of the story to ensure that it gives us the emotional punch that it gives in the comic. And as for the rest of the season – please have faith! Nick’s story from the comics is still there, still infinitely important to me, and Sarah’s role as emotional support for Nick will shift to other characters in the story for now. If we get a season four, I would love for Olivia to be a part of it again!”
“Making a TV show sometimes has completely unavoidable challenges like this. All we can do in the face of such challenges is our best, and I mean it when I say that I love this season, I love this show, and I’m so proud of everyone involved. We’ve all worked really hard and I’m so excited for you to see what we’ve come up with, including a few new casting announcements to come in the next few weeks – some you may have heard about already, others that you haven’t yet…”
If you missed it, it has been rumored that a certain star has joined the cast, and there’s also another rumor about Hayley Atwell playing Nick’s aunt.
Stay tuned for more Heartstopper casting updates!!
In case you missed it, check out the behind-the-scenes first look at season three!
