Heartstopper Season 3 Preview: First Look at Michael Holden in Adorkable Action… But ‘Is He Tori’s Boyfriend?’

Be still our hearts. On Sunday, Netflix dropped a snippet of a scene from Heartstopper Season 3 that gives us our first glimpse of relative newcomer Darragh Hand in action as Michael Holden. And while that name might be unfamiliar to viewers of the Emmy-winning LGBTQ+ romance, it will more than ring a bell to those who have not only watched the show but read series creator Alice Oseman’s first novel, Solitaire .

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Suffice it to say, Michael plays an important role in the life of Tori Spring (Jenny Walser). Is he her boyfriend, though? That’s what her brother Charlie (Joe Locke) and friends Tao Xu (William Gao) and Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney) want to know in the too-cute clip. All we find out for sure is that Michael is an awkward sweetheart; wait till you see his perfect present for Charlie. (You can watch the clip below.)

Back in November of 2023, when Hand’s casting was announced, Oseman admitted on Instagram that “I was very nervous and excited to begin the search for our Michael! [He] is a quirky, eccentric optimist with a sunshine disposition, and it was a challenge to find someone who I felt truly channelled Michael from the books.

“But then Darragh came along and warmed our hearts, made us all laugh so much and perfectly complimented Jenny” and her take on diet-lemonade-loving Tori.

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Hand isn’t the only fresh face joining the Heartstopper family in Season 3, which drops Thursday, October 3. Also new to the cast are Jonathan Bailey ( Bridgerton ), Hayley Atwell ( Agent Carter ), Eddie Marsan ( Ray Donovan ) and pint-sized Jensen Clayden. (Read about their characters here .)

“Season 2 ended with Nick beginning to understand the extent of Charlie’s mental health issues, and it’s this that will drive the story through Season 3,” Oseman told Tudum. “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.”

First reaction to Michael — and Tori’s reaction to finding him with Charlie’s friends? The comments section is now open for your input.

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