Our hearts are skipping a beat as season three of Heartstopper will drop on Netflix on October 3! Nick, Charlie, and the rest of the beloved characters are back and before the release of season three, we got to Facetime with Leila Khan, who joined the cast in season two to play Sahar Zahid. We got to learn more about Leila’s chemistry with her castmates and what she is most excited for people to see in season three!
Heartstopper is based on the bestselling graphic novel series by Alice Oseman and follows the story of Charlie Spring and his classmate Nick Nelson as their story turns from an unlikely friendship to a love story. The show also explores the lives of their friends navigating high school and their identities. Season three will follow the same beloved characters and feature darker and more mature themes as they continue to grow up.
The same cast, including Joe Locke, Kitt Connor, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown and more return as well as a handful of new talent including Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey, Captain America’s Hayley Atwell, and Deadpool 2’s Eddie Marsan.
“Literally on the first day of filming [of season two], I met everyone and we got on really well.”
Leila began acting at a young age, starring in multiple film and stage productions but Heartstopper marked her professional acting debut, and we cannot think of a better show to begin a career in entertainment. Leila’s character Sahar is a new student at Higgs Girls School in season two, befriending Ellie, Darcy, Tara, Nick, and Charlie.
Leila said it was originally nerve wracking coming on to an already established set and cast, but she instantly felt welcomed and fit right in on the first day of filming. We had so much fun asking Leila her favorite things about her cast mates, and she said Joe Locke is the kindest human being, Kit Connor is so wise and helpful, and she loves to have fun with Corinna Brown, among the beautiful things she had to say about all her castmates.
“[Joe Locke] is the kindest human being and he is very patient and you can go to Joe for anything.”
“If there is something I don’t understand, I can ask Kit [Connor] and he’ll know.”
Leila’s character Sahar and Imogen, played by Rhea Norwood, develop a special connection towards the end of season two and Leila said her and Rhea built up their on-screen connection by bonding over their love of books on set. Leila said she is most excited for viewers to see Sahar and Imogen’s journey in season three.
“Me and Rhea had a conversation with Alice [Oseman] and Patrick [Walters], the director, to speak about the journey that Sahar and Imogen go on.”
We also asked Leila about what to expect fashion wise from Sahar this season, given her role as a guitarist in the show, and Leila teased a Billie Eilish x Heartstopper look in season three. You are just going to have to watch to see this all come together!
“The fan reaction to Sahar has been so overwhelmingly full of love in the best way.”
Thank you, Leila, for Facetiming with Young Entertainment! Make sure to follow her on her Instagram at @leila.khan. Watch the rest of the interview where we ask her more about the first day of season three, the most fun behind-the-scenes moments, and stayed tuned till the end for a round of rapid fire questions. While you’re there, be sure to like and subscribe to our channel for the latest news in young entertainment.
Consider this:
- Find a common ground with your castmates. Have conversations to find something you are both interested in and relate to which will help develop your connection on set.
- You grow the most as an actor or actress when you step outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to try new things and say yes to any opportunity that comes up on set.
