Darragh Hand to Play Michael Holden in Netflix's "Heartstopper"

Hand is the first new cast addition of the upcoming third season.

Netflix has today made its first new casting announcement for the upcoming third season of its original drama series Heartstopper. Darragh Hand will join the ensemble as Michael Holden, a new friend of Tori Spring (Jenny Walser).

Michael Holden originally appeared as one of the leads opposite Tori Spring in Alice Oseman’s debut novel “Solitaire.” The character later went on to appear in a supporting role in the “Heartstopper” graphic novels.

Earlier this year, Hand made his television acting debut with guest starring roles on the British dramas Silent Witness and Grace. 

The streaming service has confirmed a number of returning cast members for the third season, including Joe Locke as Charlie Spring, Kit Connor as Nick Nelson, William Gao as Tao Xu, Yasmin Finney as Elle Argent, Tobie Donovan as Isaac Henderson, Cormac Hyde-Corrin as Harry Greene, Rhea Norwood as Imogen Heaney, Corinna Brown as Tara Jones and Kizzy Edgell as Darcy Olsson.

Furthermore, it was revealed shortly after the second season was released in August 2023 that Sebastian Croft would not be returning as Ben Hope in the third season. The character made his final appearance during the penultimate Season 2 episode “Sorry.”

Oseman will once again return as writer for all 8 episodes of the drama’s third season. Meanwhile, Andy Newbery will succeed Euros Lyn as director for the season. Lyn previously directed every episode of the drama’s first two seasons.

Production on the third season began in the United Kingdom in October 2023. It is currently set to wrap before the end of the year for a 2024 debut on the streamer.