Heartstopper is the latest teen television series that celebrates and champions its diverse cast of LGBTQIA+ characters, and audiences are calling it one of the best of 2022. Released in an eight-episode season on Netflix, the show dropped on April 22 of this year and has been warming the hearts of audiences around the world ever since. The series is based upon the celebrated graphic novel by Alice Oseman, known for its illustrations of fall leaves criss-crossing its pages. Immediately following its release, Heartstopper, also written by Oseman, received star-studded reviews, and was quickly renewed for two more seasons. It was awarded 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and is up for a National Television Award in Britain, according to National World.
Heartstopper follows the story of Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), two teen boys who attend an all-male grammar school in the United Kingdom, as they fall in love and come of age alongside their friends and enemies. Its characters proceed through happy school days, after-school shenanigans, and rugby matches, each punctuated by hard conversations surrounding coming out, homophobia, and lessons about true friendship. The Netflix series is ultimately a colorful tribute to queer joy, integrating the positivity and self-confidence found within the graphic novels while staying true to the timeless complexity of high school relationships.
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5 Elle Befriends Tara and Darcy
Yasmin Finney brings heart and wide-eyed wonder to the role of Elle Argent, Charlie and Nick’s former classmate, who transferred from Truham Grammar High School to Higgs Girls School upon her transition. In episode two, “Crush,” Elle seems to be having trouble befriending the other girls in her classes. Even her teacher notices and brings it up, encouraging Elle to make at least one new connection before the term is halfway over. One day, Tara Jones (Corinna Brown) returns Elle’s pencil case after she drops it and the two strike up a conversation, resulting in Tara asking Elle to sit with her and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) at lunch. Elle eventually learns that Tara and Darcy are in a relationship. The three girls quickly bond over their shared experiences, with Tara calling Elle “officially part of the inner circle” as they all join hands.
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MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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Heartstopper succinctly captures how quickly bonds can be formed and trust can be established among LGBTQIA+ teens, especially under difficult circumstances such as transferring schools and facing prejudice. According to the Digital Spy, Finney has spoken out about the need to create more opportunities for trans actors such as herself, so that they aren’t always expected to play trans characters. Finney was recently chosen to play Rose in the upcoming Doctor Who.
4 Charlie and Ben Part Ways
Sebastian Croft plays Ben Hope, Charlie’s first boyfriend, who turns out to be bad news. After Charlie came out at school, Ben began seeing him in secret, going around his own girlfriend to do so. He wanted to keep his relationship with Charlie in the shadows at all costs, terrified that someone would find them out. Ben’s goal was to convince Charlie that no one else would want to date him, trying to control the situation and control Charlie as much as he could.
Ultimately, Ben was afraid of being outed as gay, and made things worse for himself by treating Charlie poorly. “I’m angry because you never even slightly cared about my feelings,” Charlie expresses in episode one, “Meet.” Ben kisses him forcefully, telling him no one else will love him. Nick comes around the corner and separates them, glaring at Ben as he says, “He told you to stop.” At that moment, Charlie sees in action the difference between a toxic relationship and a positive, mutually beneficial one that isn’t built on secrets and silence.
3 Nick Apologizes to Charlie
Charlie and Nick attend Harry Greene’s (Cormac Hyde-Corrin) birthday party together. They wander away from the festivities and find an empty room, start talking, and eventually kiss. Nick, who is still coming to terms with his sexuality, is stunned, and he leaves Charlie in the room by himself when they hear Harry coming down the hallway in search of them. Charlie is crushed by this and returns home to wrestle with his difficult feelings.
The next day, Charlie answers the door to a scene out of a romance movie – Nick Nelson, ready to make amends, in the pouring rain. The two of them have a heart-to-heart and spend the day together. Nick apologizes to Charlie, telling him that he is still trying to figure out his sexuality and that he hasn’t come out yet. Charlie tells him that it’s okay to take his time. This chapter in their relationship marks their dedication to growing alongside each other, and helping each other accept themselves as they are.
2 Nick and Charlie Confront Homophobia
Episode 7, “Bully,” is true to its name. Charlie and Nick go to the movies together, after Nick promises Charlie that they won’t run into Ben or Harry there. Unfortunately, the opposite ends up happening. Harry makes homophobic comments to Charlie, despite Nick’s attempts to get him to leave him alone. Their friend Tao Xu (William Gao) gets involved with the intention of defending Charlie and accidentally makes things worse. Harry calls Charlie a slur, leading to a physical fight between the boys, which then results in Harry’s suspension from Truham.
A rift is driven between Nick and Charlie, who quits rugby to distance himself. Nick and Tao eventually become friends, bonding over wanting the best for Charlie. This brings the three of them closer together, and Charlie finally speaks up to Ben about the toxicity of their past relationship. Nick expresses to Charlie that he wants to stay with him, and the two resume their relationship.
1 Nick Comes to Terms with His Bisexuality
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Ultimately, one of the best story arcs of the show follows Nick as he recognizes and accepts his sexuality for what it is. Episode 6, “Girls,” sees Nick express to Charlie that he thinks he may be bisexual, after deep diving into Google and taking quizzes to better understand his feelings. As the series progresses, Oseman’s story reminds us that one’s sexuality is a journey as much as it is a spectrum. Charlie patiently remains by Nick’s side as he figures out how he defines himself.
In Episode 8, “Boyfriend,” Nick sits at the kitchen table, bathed in orange light next to his mother. He says to her, “You know Charlie is my best friend… He’s my boyfriend. Charlie is my boyfriend. I still like girls, but I like boys too. And me and Charlie, we’re going out, and I just wanted you to know.” His mother lovingly embraces him and says, “Oh, my baby… Thank you for telling me.” He follows up: “It’s called bisexuality, if you’ve heard of that.” She smiles and says she has. Heartstopper is full of memorable moments, and this is one of the best, as it ends the series on a happy and hopeful note.
