Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Heartstopper, which has completely captured hearts worldwide and become one of Netflix’s most beloved LGBTQ+ series that’s impossible to stop watching.
Heartstopper premiered on April 22, 2022, delivering 8 episodes of approximately 30 minutes each per season on Netflix. The series has completed 3 seasons and will conclude with a feature film instead of a fourth season. This British coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama is created by Alice Oseman, based on her own webcomic and graphic novel of the same name.
The series primarily tells the story of Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), a gay teen boy who falls in love with classmate Nick (Nicholas) Nelson (Kit Connor), whom he sits next to in his new form. What begins as an unlikely friendship between an openly gay overthinker and a cheerful rugby player evolves into something much deeper and more meaningful.
The show beautifully navigates school life and young love in this coming-of-age series, exploring themes of identity, acceptance, and the complexity of teenage emotions with remarkable sensitivity and authenticity.
Friendship to romance
Charlie, a high-strung, openly gay overthinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, are made to sit together in class one day. Their friendship becomes something more for Charlie, but he does not believe he has a chance. The series follows their journey from friendship to romance, handling each emotional beat with incredible care and realism.
The show doesn’t shy away from the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, including bullying, family acceptance, and self-discovery. Each episode builds naturally on the previous one, creating a cohesive narrative that feels both intimate and universal.
The series also explores the lives of their friendship group including Tao Xu (William Gao), Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney), Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan), Tara Jones (Corinna Brown) and Darcy Olsson (Kizzy Edgell), creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories about young love and identity.
Main Character A: Charlie Spring’s Journey
Joe Locke delivers a powerfully nuanced performance as Charlie Spring, capturing the vulnerability and strength of a young gay man navigating first love. Charlie’s character development throughout the series is remarkable, showing his growth from someone who accepts less than he deserves to someone who learns to value himself.
His portrayal of anxiety, self-doubt, and the gradual building of confidence resonates deeply with audiences. Locke brings authenticity to Charlie’s struggles with mental health and self-acceptance, making him a relatable and inspiring character for viewers of all ages.
Charlie’s journey of learning to communicate his feelings and set boundaries becomes one of the series’ most compelling emotional arcs, handled with sensitivity and depth that elevates the entire narrative.
Main Character B: Nick Nelson’s Discovery
Kit Connor’s portrayal of Nick Nelson is equally compelling, showing a character who discovers his bisexuality through his relationship with Charlie. Nick’s journey of self-discovery and acceptance is handled with incredible sensitivity, avoiding stereotypes while exploring the complexity of sexual identity.
The chemistry between Connor and Locke is undeniable, creating one of television’s most authentic and heartwarming romantic relationships. Nick’s struggle with coming out, family expectations, and societal pressures feels genuine and relatable.
Connor brings depth to Nick’s character, showing both his strength as a supportive partner and his own vulnerabilities as he navigates his identity. Their relationship serves as a beautiful example of healthy communication and mutual respect in young love.
Supporting Characters and Relationships
The ensemble cast, including William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Tobie Donovan, Corinna Brown, and Kizzy Edgell, creates a vibrant and diverse friend group that adds depth and authenticity to the series. Each character has their own distinct storyline and personality, contributing to the show’s rich emotional landscape.
The series excels at showing different types of relationships and identities within the LGBTQ+ community, from Elle’s transgender experience to Tara and Darcy’s lesbian relationship. These storylines are woven together seamlessly, creating a comprehensive portrait of modern teenage life.
The adult characters, particularly the parents and teachers, are portrayed with nuance and complexity, showing both supportive figures and the challenges that some LGBTQ+ youth face with family acceptance.
Success on Netflix
Heartstopper has achieved an impressive 8.5/10 rating on IMDb and received a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for the first season with an average rating of 8.7/10, based on 61 critic reviews. Connor and Locke’s portrayals of Nick and Charlie launched the first Heartstopper series into Netflix’s global top 10. The series has been praised for its inclusive storytelling and authentic representation of LGBTQ+ youth experiences. The show will conclude with a feature film instead of a fourth season, with Kit Connor and Joe Locke returning to reprise their roles while also serving as executive producers.
If you love heartwarming LGBTQ+ romance, authentic coming-of-age stories, and beautifully crafted characters, Heartstopper is the perfect series to binge on Netflix.
Heartstopper stands as a groundbreaking series that combines authentic LGBTQ+ representation with universal themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery, creating a truly unforgettable viewing experience.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 8 (Season 1), 8 (Season 2), 8 (Season 3) + Upcoming Feature Film Platform: Netflix
Rating: 8.5/10
Genre: Coming-of-Age Romantic Comedy-Drama
Main Characters: Kit Connor (Nick Nelson), Joe Locke (Charlie Spring), William Gao (Tao Xu), Yasmin Finney (Elle Argent)
Antagonist: Societal pressures, bullying, and internal struggles rather than a single antagonist