Heartstopper was based on a story that started as a webcomic by writer and illustrator Alice Oseman. Then, because of its popularity, it became a comic book. Now, the audience gets to meet Nick and Charlie and fall in love with them as they discover that their relationship is more than friendship. The series comes a lot closer to queer stories with a lighter tone, such as Love, Simon and its spin-off Love, Victor, than other shows like Euphoria that focus more on young adults and their experiences rather than teenagers. The easy-to-follow coming-of-age narrative has a light tone that has a feel-good quality.

Charlie (Joe Locke) is recuperating after suffering bullying for a year due to his sexuality. Now, everyone knows he is gay, and he is trying not to bring attention to himself so that the bullying won't start again. On the first day back to class, he is assigned to sit next to another student, Nick (Kit Connor). It takes a second for them to lock eyes, and Charlie instantly knows: he has a crush. Their relationship starts as a friendship, but things quickly develop between the two, leaving Nick, who had never questioned his sexuality before, confused.

Heartstopper was just released on Friday (April 22nd) and has already won the hearts of people around the world. The show has been able to please the fans of the comic books (by including almost every scene of the first two volumes of the graphic novels) as well as people who knew nothing about the newest (and most adorable) couple of Truham Boys School. Here is why Heartstopper should be your next watch.

Heartstopper's Much-Needed Innocence

Heartstopper
Netflix

The extremely cute story about two boys who fall in love has all the best elements of a coming-of-age movie mixed with teen romance: an impossibly catchy soundtrack, heartwarming friendships, a popular kid falling for an outcast, and the best one of them all, kissing in the rain. What makes it impossible to stop watching the eight 30-minute episodes are the quick-witted characters mixed with romances that are so adorable.

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The series is much more family-friendlier than most coming-of-age stories, due (mostly) to the age of the main characters: Charlie is 14, and Nick is 16. The thrill of holding hands for the first time and the first kiss are the focus of the show. The innocence brought to the screen is one of the reasons why the show is so captivating and enjoyable to watch.

For a long time, there was only one type of story with queer protagonists: a drama surrounding their sexuality and the prejudices that came with coming out. Love, Simon helped change the view that those were the only stories which could contemplate a queer protagonist, creating a lovely narrative about a 17-year-old coming out to his friends and family. Heartstopper has a very similar vibe, creating an adorable story that leaves the viewer with tears in their eyes.

Between sweet moments that are embellished by graphic novel elements that enhance the warm feeling of the characters (and a nod to the comic books) and the important conversations on boundaries (relationships, friendships, etc.) the show delivers one of the most fun rom-com watches in a very long time.

LGBTQIA+ Community On Television

Netflix's Heartstopper
Netflix

What is refreshing about this series is how they deal with the struggles of young people discovering their sexuality. There is a focus on the importance of having a grounded support system for any teenager, but especially for the queer ones. Charlie's friends, his openly gay art teacher (Fisayo Akinade) who is always looking out for him, and his family are the reason why he was able to survive the bullying. Nick suffers when he notices how his friends react to Charlie and his sexuality. He then starts to get closer to people who are acceptive (and also a part of the LGBTQIA+ community), like Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell). When Nick feels comfortable telling his mother (the one and only Oscar-winning Olivia Colman), she immediately apologizes if she ever made him feel like he couldn't tell her.

Nevertheless, they deal with the bullying that can occur once a person comes out as belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community. It is a matter never taken lightly, and the show is explicit in condemning the behavior - and so are the characters that accuse peers of being homophobic. In an incredible scene, Nick stands up for Charlie and accuses his friends of being homophobic. They try to deny it, but Nick shows them that empty excuses won't suffice. It is simply unacceptable behavior.

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Another decision the show made was go explicitly say sexualities that are usually only hinted at in television and movies. There are two characters who come out as girlfriends, Tara and Darcy. Both of them say they are lesbians multiple times. This is unusual: most times, characters say they are queer or that they like women. This also happens with other sexualities, such as bisexual characters, which the series also addresses thoughtfully as Nick discovers himself.

The show is not only thoughtful about representation in the story, but it affected decisions such as casting. Elle, one of the best friends of the main character, is a trans girl. The producers cast a trans actress, Yasmin Finney, to play the role. It was not only incredible to see a new talent shine, but to really comprehend that it was not simply a matter of telling this story (Heartstopper also tackles transphobia), but it was important to cast an actress who can play the part truthfully.

Heartstopper has the potential to become a coming-of-age classic. The show has everything fans of the genre love, combined with a great cast and writing - it is definitely one of Netflix's best recent releases.