Spoiler Warning: HeartstopperHeartstopper, an adorable coming-of-age romance show from Netflix, took the internet by storm when the first season was released in 2022. Adapted from a series of graphic novels based on webcomics, the series follows Year 10 student Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) on his journey to find love after a falling out with his crush, Ben (Sebastian Croft). Love comes in the form of the school's older star rugby player.

Charlie isn't the only one trying to find love. He sits next to that older boy in form class. Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) is trying to label his sexuality as he and Charlie get to know each other, and it looks like sparks may be flying between two of Charlie's best friends. There are missteps and miscommunications along the way, but it seems to work out for everyone in the end.

Netflix has tons of shows about being in high school, so what makes Heartstopper different? Heartstopper gives audiences a look at relevant, relatable situations while maintaining an upbeat tone that can't help but draw people in. The show's second season came out in 2023, and the things people love about the show have only increased.

Update August 30, 2023: This article has been updated following the recent release of Heartstopper season 2.

Heartstopper's Representation

heartstopper netflix
Netflix

The trailer for Heartstopper shows Charlie and Nick and a quick look at the lesbian couple Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), but it doesn't get into the other LGBTQ+ representation featured in the show. It hints at Nick's struggle over his own identity and orientation, Charlie's heartbreak over crushing on thought-to-be straight guys, and his kind of breakup, but there is so much more to show than the love stories.

There's the bullying Charlie faces by Year 11 students, the homophobia Tara and Darcy experience after coming out to their peers, the secret relationship Charlie is in at the start of the show, and so much more. All the situations the characters experience are relatable in one way or another for everyone, from being bullied to crushing on someone that will not, or cannot, like you back.

There is also a trans character named Elle, played by trans actress Yasmin Finney. In an interview with Teen Vogue, Finney discusses how much she related to Elle. She even experienced some events Elle did in the show in her life, like almost being expelled for the length of her hair. It was wonderful to see the ample amount of representation in the show and that a key character like Elle was cast with an actress who could relate to the character's struggles.

Related: 5 Shows Like Heartstopper to Watch Next

Finney wasn't the only one who could relate to their character. While speaking with Attitude, Locke discussed how he relates to Charlie and how his life as a gay man has been different from his character's. He didn't go to an all-boys school, and he attributes attending a coed school as the reason he didn't have as many troubles with bullies as Charlie does. Locke notes he did experience hurtful language thrown his way growing up, but it was only a handful of times. Still, he was able to relate to Charlie in several ways, which rings through in the series.

The show also stays very true to the experience that bisexual teens may face while coming to terms with their sexuality. The struggle that a lot of teens go through around the topic of coming out to family, friends, and peers is also portrayed very well through the character of Nick Nelson. Especially in the second season, we see that even though Nick and Charlie are together, and their family and close friends know about it, Nick faces a lot of dilemmas about coming out to their classmates and also his estranged father.

Heartstopper also has great Asexual representation through the character of Issac, a bookish friend of Charlie, Elle, and Tao, who comes to terms with his sexuality after a brief romantic encounter with another boy. We get to see how he adjusts to the idea of being asexual and aromantic among his peers who cannot really relate to his situation.

The Support

heartstopper olivia coleman netflix
Netflix

When Nick comes out to his mom, Sarah (Olivia Colman), towards the end of the season after a wonderful day at the beach with Charlie, she reacts perfectly. She is an amazing example of how a parent should respond when their child shares something so personal with them. It was heartwarming to see such a kind and positive reaction, especially in comparison with the bullying throughout the series.

Sarah isn't the only character to show her support for someone's relationship and identity. Elle transferred from Truham Grammar School, the boys' school, to Harvey Greene Grammar School for Girls, but she didn't lose her friends. Charlie, Issac, and Tao are still there for her, using her correct pronouns and clearly making an effort not to refer to who she was before her transition. The respect they have for Elle is apparent and adds to the heartwarming nature of the show.

Related: These Are Our Favorite LGBTQ+ TV Characters of All Time

Tao and Nick are also great supporters, standing up to Harry and his gang of rugby boys when they bully Charlie. While Tao stands up to him throughout the series, it takes Nick a bit more time and self-realization before he tells Harry and his group off for their comments about Charlie after a night at the movies. It's always nice to see peers standing up against bigotry, especially at that age.

In the second season, we see that some of Nick's old rugby friends also apologize to him for their behavior and for not standing up to Harry before. Their support system only grows through the likes of characters like Imogen (Rhea Norwood), Sahar (Leila Khan), and most importantly, Charlie's older sister Tori (Jenny Walser), who stands up to Nick's older brother when he makes rude comments to Nick and Charlie about their relationship.

Mental Health

Netflix's Heartstopper
Netflix

Mental health is of extreme importance while dealing with themes like homophobia, bullying, and other traumatic experiences. One of the main focuses of the comic books and the show is on Charlie Springs, his past self-harming tendencies, and his eating disorder. In the show, Charlie passes out once on their trip to Paris, and we know that there is something wrong with his relationship with food.

Mental health problems are shown in a very compassionate way in this show which makes it better for people who are sensitive to some topics. In a way, this makes Heartstopper a great watch for everyone.

There is No Age Limit on Love

Fisayo Akinade and Nima Taleghani in Heartstopper
Netflix

One of the greatest things about Heartstopper is that despite being a show centered around teens, it still has representation for LGBTQ+ adults who find themselves in similar situations. In the second season, we see Coach Singh (Chetna Pandya), who has a talk with Nick after catching him and Charlie together. In the scene, she tells Nick how she and her wife met while attending university together and have been with each other ever since.

One of the best parts of the series has to be the budding romance between two teachers, Mr. Farouk (Nima Teleghani) and Mr. Ajayi (Fisayo Akinade). They become closely acquainted with each other, and we find out that Mr. Farouk only came to terms with his sexuality in his mid-twenties and, thus, missed out on a lot of the teenage love experiences. However, their sweet relationship shows us that there is no age limit when it comes to love and figuring yourself out.

The Atmosphere

Nick and Charlie in Heartstopper
Netflix

Despite the sad or difficult parts of the series, Heartstopper maintains an atmosphere that is hopeful and sweet. At its core, it's a coming-of-age series that has all the best parts of a teen series: a great soundtrack, an epic romance, and adorable scenes in various forms of precipitation. When Harry is bullying Charlie or the audience has to watch Charlie break down, the upbeat nature and tone aren't lost. The show discusses heavy themes at times, and even then, it doesn't feel like the hopefulness has vanished.

Heartstopper is the perfect series for people wanting a fun, feel-good show that covers relevant topics and themes. In today's times, a show like this is just what everyone needs. The second season is just as sweet and comforting as the first one, and the fans of the show are eagerly waiting for the next season to drop.