For months now, fans have been hounding Netflix for an update on the beloved coming-of-age series, Heartstopper. With two seasons out, everyone was waiting for the third season to be confirmed. Just a week ago, social media users were blessed with the news that the series would be returning for its third season. While fans had been waiting for any update on the queer British rom-com, they finally got the best one. Not only was it an announcement for the third season, but also an airing date. 

However, their happiness was short-lived as some rather bad news from a fan-favorite character from the show portrayed by the fabulous Olivia Colman followed. 

After portraying the supportive mother of Heartstopper's Nick Nelson for two seasons, Olivia Colman had some disappointing news for fans. In an interview with Forbes, the 50-year-old revealed that she would not be returning to the screen for the third season of the beloved show. The actress stated, "I couldn't do three. I couldn't fit in it. I feel awful about that." While the star's fans will not be alone in their sadness about her absence, she did not completely close the door on the character.

Colman might have been too booked to see through the third season of Netflix's show. However, the star revealed that she would not mind doing a spin-off series for just her character, but it would have to be "booked in advance." The star might have made no promises about making a comeback to the series later on, but she added that it was "one of the most beautiful things" she had ever been a part of.

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While the actress' absence will be clearly felt in the series, fans will have to wait and see how the streamer can cover it up in the upcoming season.

After the second season of Heartstopper was released back in August of last year, fans have been waiting for the show to dive into its third season. Now, after nearly 7 months of waiting, Netflix announced the upcoming season with a behind-the-scenes peek at the cast. The video also revealed that it would be airing in October this year. Although fans are excited to see Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, and more returning to reprise their roles, Olivia Colman's departure will be an obvious gap in the show.

After all, the actress' character, Sarah Nelson, had become a fan favorite for her loving and sympathetic qualities as a mother. She might not be able to come back to the show. However, Colman has left her fans with various memorable scenes to remember her character by.

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What do you think about Olivia Colman not returning for season 3 of Heartstopper? Let us know in the comments below.