Charlie's Disorders In Heartstopper Season 3, Explained (& What's Next For Him In Season 4)

The Netflix series Heartstopper has been universally praised for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ youth and serious teen issues, including Charlie's disorders in season 3. Based on the graphic novels of the same name by Alice Oseman, the British series premiered in 2022, and though Heartstopper boasts a talented ensemble cast, it primarily revolves around the romantic relationship between schoolmates Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) and Charlie Spring (Joe Locke).

While Nick is bisexual, Charlie is gay and was publicly outed before the events of the show. One of Heartstopper's most likable characters, Charlie is defined by his kindness, empathy, and sensitivity. Unfortunately, his sensitivity and his sexual orientation make him the target of bullying. Though Charlie has grown to stand up for himself, this bullying is detrimental to his mental health, and his disorders are explored in full, thoughtful detail in Heartstopper season 3.

Charlie Is Diagnosed With Anorexia Nervosa & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder In Heartstopper Season 3

He Seeks Treatment In An In-Patient Facility

Charlie (Joe Locke) crying while talking on the phone with Nick in Heartstoppers Season 3 Episode 2

In Heartstopper season 3, Nick is concerned with Charlie's eating habits and confronts him about it. Though Charlie initially denies he has a problem with food, he later admits to Nick that he may be right, and Nick convinces Charlie to talk to his parents about it. He gets a referral to an eating disorder clinic, but the months-long wait leads to Charlie's eating habits and self-harm worsening. Ultimately, he agrees to go to an in-patient mental health facility.

At the facility, Charlie is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and obsessive compulsive disorder. He remains in the facility for a few months, where he is treated very kindly by doctors, and receives the help he needs. This Heartstopper storyline was praised for its positive yet authentic depiction of Charlie's mental health conditions. Just Like Usreported that LGBTQ+ youth are three times more likely to have an eating disorder than heterosexual young people, and their research estimates that 18% of gay boys will struggle with eating disorders.

Rather than the typical OCD depictions of a character constantly cleaning their room or washing their hands Heartstopper shows how much deeper obsessive compulsive disorder is.

The depiction of Charlie's OCD also generated positive responses. In one scene, Charlie expresses that he needs to complete his compulsions (usually repetitive tasks), even though he knows that his compulsions are not based in reality. However, rather than the typical OCD depictions of a character constantly cleaning their room or washing their hands Heartstopper shows how much deeper obsessive compulsive disorder is. Most of the mental illness is experienced through intrusive, unrelenting thoughts, which Heartstopper portrays with accuracy and sensitivity.

What's Next For Charlie In Heartstopper Season 4

He Is Making Steps Toward Healing

At the end of Heartstopper season 3, Charlie seems to be working toward recovery for his eating disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. He is preparing to play drums in a band over the summer. He and his mother also take steps toward repairing their relationship, which comes to a boiling point when she won't let Charlie sleep at Nick's house. At the end of the episode, Charlie does go over to Nick's, and the two have sex for the first time. As for what's next for Charlie, and his relationship with Nick, that remains unclear.

While Heartstopper season 4 is not officially confirmed, creator and graphic novel writer, Alice Oseman says thatshe is in talks with Netflix for a fourth season. Season three drew from Volume Four and Five, and Oseman revealed that she is working on Volume Six, which will be the Heartstopper series' last.

The plan is for Heartstopper Volume Six to serve as the premise for season 4 of the show (via Netflix). Given the clever writing and excellent direction of the series, Heartstopperseason 4 is perfectly set up to continue its depiction of both young love and sensitive issues in a profound way.