Why did Olivia Colman leave Heartstopper? Star felt 'awful' about exit

Heartstopper season three arrives on Netflix on October 3 and Charlie Spring (played by Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) are ready to take things to the next level. Creator Alice Oseman said the new season will explore Charlie's mental health journey.

She told Netflix : "While Heartstopper will always celebrate the joyful and point towards hope, I’m really excited that we are allowing the tone of the show to mature alongside our beloved characters growing up. Mental health, sex, university ambitions, and more: Nick, Charlie, and the Heartstopper teens are getting older, learning more about themselves and each other, and experiencing new desires, new fears, and new joys as they approach adulthood.”

The first two seasons starred Olivia Colman as Nick's mother Sarah and viewers were starstruck when they first spotted the award-winning actress. She was part of the heartfelt moment when her son came out as bisexual to her, and she accepted the news with open arms.

Sadly, due to scheduling conflicts, she was unable to return for the third season. She told Forbes: "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." Patrick Walters, an executive producer, confirmed her exit on X, formerly Twitter.

He 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 [don't worry]."

The Crown actress said she would be interested in a spin-off show focussing on her and her relationship with Nick.

“As long as it’s booked in advance, maybe I’ll be able to do it, yeah,” she added.

In the same year Heartstopper season three was filmed, she starred as Miss Havisham in the BBC series Great Expectations.

She also played MI6 agent Sonya Falsworth in the Disney+ miniseries Secret Invasion. Olivia then produced and starred in the mystery comedy film Wicked Little Letters.

Viewers will have also seen her in the film Wonka and as the middle-aged Queen Elizabeth II in the final episode of The Crown season six.

The season three premiere of Heartstopper picks up with Charlie eager to tell Nick that he loves him and Nick holding on to something important he has to say to Charlie.

As they learn more about each other, everyone must learn to keep the ones they love close when life doesn’t go as expected.

Heartstopper season 3 arrives on Netflix on October 3