After a four-year break, HBO’s hit show jumped five years into the future. The characters are now in their late twenties, dealing with adult problems like marriages, careers, and crushing debt. But while Rue (Zendaya) is still struggling and Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) is chasing internet fame, Nate Jacobs has undergone the strangest transformation of all. The angry high school bully who once choked his girlfriend and threatened people with guns now appears calm, supportive, and almost boring. This sudden shift in personality has caused a major stir among the show’s loyal fanbase.
Why Nate’s Look and Attitude Are Causing Confusion
The most obvious difference fans spotted immediately is the wardrobe. Gone are the simple hoodies and sweatshirts from East Highland High. In the new season, Jacob Elordi’s character is almost always wearing expensive, designer clothes from Bottega Veneta. He wears leather shirts that cost thousands of dollars and perfectly fitted neutral-toned outfits. This new look is sleek and mature, fitting for a contractor trying to impress wealthy investors.
However, the confusion goes much deeper than just the clothes. The personality shift is what truly has fans questioning if this is the same person. In previous seasons, Nate was a ticking time bomb. He was controlling, violent, and manipulative. Now, he is oddly passive. Reports and early episodes show that Nate is engaged to Cassie, who is running an OnlyFans account. The old Nate would have exploded in anger over this. The new Nate simply tells her, “Baby, I’m trying to give you everything you want.”
Fans React to the ‘Lobotomy’ Season 3 Version
Long-time viewers have not held back their feelings about this new version of the character. On social media, the reaction has been swift and harsh. Many believe the writers erased everything that made Nate Jacobs unique.
One fan famously tweeted that the show’s creators “gave nate jacobs 200mg of sertraline and a lobotomy.”
“You cannot sand down the edges of a character in such a significant, visceral way after such a hiatus without clueing us in as to what might have happened…that’s a stranger.”
— Fan reaction on X (formerly Twitter)
Another viewer noted that seeing Nate enter his “docile house husband era” feels jarring after watching him be a “certified threat to society” for two seasons. Critics have also pointed out that while the acting is strong, the writing does not support such a massive change. A review from Forbes noted, “This is not Nate Jacobs, this is a stranger,” suggesting that the character has been “body-snatched” to fit a new plot that doesn’t match his history.
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The Real Reason Behind the New Nate Jacobs
So, why does he seem so different? It turns out there are a few explanations for this shift. According to Natasha Newman-Thomas, the new costume designer for the season, the expensive clothes serve a story purpose. She explained that Nate is now a contractor trying to build a senior living community. He needs to look successful to get money from investors. She called his new style “performative workwear.”
Furthermore, Jacob Elordi himself has changed a lot in real life. Between seasons, he starred in major movies like Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights. He also became a real-life ambassador for Bottega Veneta in May 2024. His personal style has become more refined, and that real-life luxury has naturally bled into his fictional character. Elordi has also mentioned that the filming process felt “liberating” and that he had less time to overthink the role, leading him to try new things that felt right in the moment.
Also Read: John Hopkins Seen on ‘Harry Potter’ HBO Set, Fans Think He’s Hermione’s Dad
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