Former EastEnders star Annette Badland, best known for her role as Aunt Babe, is set to join the cast of the beloved Netflix drama Heartstopper in its third season, six years after leaving the BBC soap opera. The 74-year-old actress will star alongside Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey and Captain America star Hayley Atwell in the upcoming season of the hit LGBTQ+ series.
Heartstopper, based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, follows the blossoming romance between characters Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke). Season three, set to release on October 3, 2024, continues their coming-of-age journey, with Badland’s role adding another layer of intrigue to the much-anticipated storyline.
Badland, who played the villainous Aunt Babe on EastEnders from 2014 until her exit in 2017, is a fan-favorite known for stirring up drama in the soap. Her character famously caused chaos in Walford, from baby farming to threatening to expose secrets, before her eventual downfall. Now, she’s back on screen in a different role, much to the excitement of her fans.
In addition to Badland, Jonathan Bailey will join the cast as Jack Maddox, and Hayley Atwell will play Nick’s Aunt Diane, with Eddie Marsan set to appear as Charlie’s therapist, Geoff.
Confirming the exciting news, Netflix UK and Ireland said: “It’s not just Jonathan Bailey joining Heartstopper S3, we’re also welcoming Hayley Atwell and Annette Badland to the cast!”
Heartstopper season three premieres on Netflix on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
