It's difficult not to be touched by the wholesome British LGBTQ+ teen drama Heartstopper. Based on the beloved YA graphic novel of the same name by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper tells the story of a recently outed social outcast named Charlie (Joe Locke) on his path towards finding love with one of his school's rugby players, Nick (Kit Connor), who's apparently straight. The Netflix series was highly anticipated by fans of Oseman's novel series, and immediately, audiences were hooked on and hopeful for Charlie and Nick's innocent love story.

In addition to Charlie and Nick's story, Heartstopper presents multiple teenage-related issues in an incredibly diverse manner, with the stories of a lesbian couple (Corinna Brown and Kizzy Edgell), a trans girl's experience in her first year at an all-girls school (Yasmin Finney), and their relationships with each other and their school peers. The second season of Heartstopper came out on Netflix a few weeks ago, and fans absolutely loved it. If you also enjoyed Heartstopper., here are 15 shows like Heartstopper, you can watch while waiting for the next season.

Updated September 5, 2023: If you enjoyed watching the wholesome teen drama Heartstopper, then you'll be happy to know this article has been updated with additional titles.

15 Skins

Nicholas Hoult, April Pearson, and Mike Bailey in Skins
E4

Innovative and captivating, Skins remains a quintessential British teen drama that spanned across seven seasons from 2007 to 2013. The series delves into the entangled lives of a group of friends as they weather the stormy years of adolescence and early adulthood, confronting challenges like mental health, substance abuse, and relationships.

A myriad of characters graces Skins, with each generation ushering in fresh personalities and narratives. Throughout its run, numerous storylines accentuate LGBTQ+ themes and connections, featuring the coming-out tales of Emily Fitch and Naomi Campbell, and the intricate bond between Maxxie Oliver and James.

Much like Heartstopper, Skins probes the intricacies of friendships and romantic entanglements, offering a sophisticated and unvarnished glimpse into young people's lives. Both shows candidly depict the hurdles encountered by the youth, such as the struggles of coming out and tackling LGBTQ+ relationships as teenagers in a world that can be harsh and judgmental.

14 XO, Kitty

anna cathcart xo kitty
From Netflix

A spinoff of the famous romcom movie series To All the Boy I've Loved Before, XO, Kitty follows Lara Jean's younger sister Katherine Song Covey, better known as Kitty on her journey to Korea to connect to her late mother and her culture. She starts attending the same school that her mother went to and the series shows her journey as she juggles different issues in her new school.

The story is not only about Kitty though, we also get to know her new friends and their unique problems. There are also LGBTQ+ characters that portray the struggles of being a queer teenager in Korea. A wholesome story about love, rivalry, and self discovery, this teen show only has one season but will return with a second season soon. Much like Heartstopper, this show also focuses on friendships and how important they are in life.

13 Atypical

Brigette Lundy-Paine in Atypical
Netflix

Heartwarming and insightful, that's how fans and critics of the show have described it. Atypical centers on the coming-of-age journey of Sam Gardner, a teenager on the autism spectrum, as he encounters love, camaraderie, and personal development. Across four seasons, the series managed to highlight Sam's quest for autonomy and his evolving comprehension of relationships.

Beyond Sam's narrative, Atypical also explores the life of his sister, Casey Gardner, as she embarks on her own odyssey of self-discovery and steers her lesbian relationship, which proves to be rather tricky as it's her first. The show tenderly portrays Casey's blossoming connection with Izzie, providing an authentic and relatable portrayal of young affection.

Emphasizing genuine characters and bonds, both Atypical and Heartstopper enable viewers to resonate with the protagonists and their experiences. Paralleling Heartstopper, Atypical delves into themes of self-acceptance and growth, underscoring the significance of self-awareness and embracing one's identity.

12 The Fosters

Lena and Stef in The Fosters
ABC Family/Freeform

Engaging and emotional, The Fosters is a drama series that aired between 2013 and 2018, comprising five seasons, chronicling a diverse family of adopted and biological children nurtured by a devoted same-sex couple. Throughout its run, the family confronts a plethora of obstacles and victories, addressing subjects such as adoption, race, and mental health.

The Fosters prominently showcases a caring same-sex duo, Stef Adams Foster and Lena Adams Foster, who form the family's backbone. Additionally, the show investigates gender identity and sexual orientation among the children, including the journey of Jude Adam Foster as he unravels his own sexuality.

Echoing Heartstopper's emphasis on acceptance and encouragement within a community, The Fosters highlights the power that stems from embracing diversity and love. Both series candidly portrays the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, emphasizing the importance of understanding, empathy, and support in surmounting adversity.

11 Heartbreak High

Chloé Hayden as Quinn
Netflix

Heartbreak High is an Australian teenage drama that is a reboot of the 1994 show of the same name. The series deals with a few teenagers from Hartley High and their struggles after the school authority discovers the wall where the sexual exploits of all the students are mapped out. The series takes a few unexpected turns, but in the end, it is a really enjoyable watch.

Like Heartstopper, Heartbreak High delves deep into a lot of issues like homophobia, sexual assault, and mental illness, among others. It also highlights the importance of sex education and how the lack of proper guidance can negatively impact students. The show has been renewed for a second season, which will be available on Netflix sometime in 2024.

10 Young Royals

Still from Young Royals on Netflix
Netflix

As a young adult drama, the Swedish series Young Royals has everything to win over fans of Heartstopper. The Netflix original series brings big twists and also touches on the lives of young LGBTQ+ characters. Indeed, Young Royals follows the plot of Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding), who begins a relationship with classmate Simon (Omar Rudberg) at the prestigious Hillerska boarding school.

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

There, the young man breaks free from his confined life and experiences, for the first time, the freedom to make his own decisions. With a new perspective on life, Wilhelm receives unexpected news and discovers that he is next in line to the throne. Considering his new relationships with his colleagues and, more importantly, with Simon, Wilhelm must decide between love and duty.

9 First Kill

First-Kill-Netflix (1)
Netflix

A teenage sapphic love story between a vampire and a vampire hunter? Yes, that is exactly what you will find in Netflix's short series First Kill. Based on a short story of the same name by Victoria Schwab, the show begins with two teenage girls, one a vampire and one a vampire hunter, both with ancient family legacy, waiting to make their first kills while also juggling their growing feelings for each other.

Juliette Fairmont struggles with her newfound bloodlust as her family is waiting for her to slay her first victim as a vampire. Calliope Burns, on the other hand, has to kill her first monster to begin her journey as a vampire slayer, which she is troubled over because she has feelings for the vampire. This fantastic enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance story will definitely touch your heart. The sweet queer love story will remind you of Heartstopper, but this supernatural romance is much different than the other show while being equally enjoyable.

8 Everything Sucks!

Sydney Sweeney in Everything Sucks
Netflix

Nostalgic and sure to take you down memory lane, Everything Sucks! plunges viewers into the 1990s. High school students navigate adolescence, friendships, and first loves in this series. A heartfelt homage to the era materializes, complete with retro fashion and outdated technology.

Kate Messner, a central character, undergoes a heartwarming coming-out journey. Self-discovery and acceptance emerge as her path unfolds. Fear, confusion, and ultimate acceptance of her sexuality are depicted sensitively and realistically. Furthermore, authentic characters and genuine relationships encapsulate the diverse spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences.

Delving into self-discovery and acceptance like Heartstopper, Everything Sucks! becomes a superb suggestion for fans. The coming-of-age narratives in both series illustrate young individuals grappling with self-understanding and acceptance. Additionally, the relatable and endearing characters and relationships are portrayed with charm and authenticity in both shows.

7 Elite

cast from Elite
Netflix

Elite is a Spanish teenage drama series that is set in a fictional private high school. The show begins when three working-class students get into this school for "elites" and how that changes the dynamics between the different students of the school. The main plot point of the first season was the murder of a student and the effect it had on the other students of the school. There are a total of six seasons of the show, and it has been renewed for a seventh season already.

Elite is a guilty pleasure show for those that enjoy teenage dramas. It has underlying themes of jealousy, resentment, revenge, sexual attraction, and much more. The show does not delve very deep into a lot of issues, but it is very enjoyable nonetheless. You can give it a try while waiting for the next season of Heartstopper if you want to watch something a bit different.

6 Never Have I Ever

Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi in Never Have I Ever
Netflix

Never Have I Ever shows the life of Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), the daughter of a couple who moved to the United States from India before she was born. Devi has two goals: to become a popular girl and be loved by everyone during high school and to get a boyfriend. Besides her journey, audiences also follow the path of her friends Fabiola (Lee Rodriguez) and Eleanor (Ramona Young), two girls who also share the experiences of being on the verge of exploring love and sexuality.

Of course, things don't always go the way they plan. Never Have I Ever was inspired by the adolescence of Mindy Kaling, who serves as the creator of the series. Diversity is one of the central points of the plot, as well as the goal behind the camera.

5 Genera+ion

Genera+ion
Max

Even though it was canceled after only one season, the show Generation, also stylized as Genera+ion chronicles the lives of a group of queer teenagers and their struggles living in a conservative community. The show is a testament to how important it is to find like-minded people who love and accept you just as you are.

Generation and Heartstopper both constantly show us the importance of having a supportive group of friends who will be there for you through thick and thin. The series also deals with the issues of questioning your sexuality and coming out to your friends and family. It is a heartfelt dramedy that will make you laugh but also make you think about a lot of recurring issues in our society that we oftentimes are not aware of.

4 We Are Who We Are

Jack Dylan Grazer and Jordan Kristine Seamon in We Are Who We Are
HBO

We Are Who We Are is directed by Luca Guadagnino, who gained greater notoriety for the success of his film Call Me by Your Name. The first episode of the series presents Fraser's (Jack Dylan Grazer) point of view. The second tells the same story but through the eyes of Caitlin (Jordan Kristine Seamón). With painted nails, bleached hair, and stylish clothes, Fraser leaves New York and goes to live with his mother, Commander Sara Wilson (Chloë Sevigny), at an American military base in the Veneto region of Italy. Sara's wife (Alice Braga) also accompanies her.

Fraser has never kissed anyone, doesn't even know if he likes boys or girls, and is not well-received by the youth group. What's more, he is only noticed by Caitlin, who finds in him the same insecurities and dissatisfactions she holds for herself. There are several topics covered: relationships, coming-of-age, the discovery of sexuality, Islamic fundamentalism, and, above all, the desires and frustrations of gender-fluid adolescents.

3 Skam

Isak and Evan in Skam
NRK

The Norwegian drama Skam became so popular across the globe that there have been multiple reboots of it in different countries. The show follows a different main character each season and show their journey as thry struggle with personal issues. The third season of the show became extremely popular because of the introduction of a gay couple, Isak and Even, and the hardships they faced along the way.

Related: The Best Netflix Shows About High School Life and Being a Teenager

The show is similar to Heartstopper because, much like the British series, this show also focuses on different personal struggles around the topic of coming out and accepting yourself. As of now, the show has seven reboots in different languages, and more are in the works.

2 Sex Education

Otis Milburn, Maeve Wiley and Aimee Lou Wood in Sex Education
Netflix

Sex Education follows a young virgin, Otis Thompson (Asa Butterfield), who lives with his mother, a sex therapist (Gillian Anderson). Despite never having had sex, his mother's expertise makes Otis an expert on the subject, being consulted by his colleagues with doubts about their own sexuality.

As such, Otis teams up with a savvy friend, Maeve (Emma Mckey), to create an "underground clinic" that gives sex education to teenagers. Laurie Nunn was the one who created the premise for the show. The Netflix series is a great take on young adults' relations and the numerous possibilities regarding sexual orientations, as well as how they tend to flourish during teenage years.

1 Love, Victor

Protagonist in Love Victor
Hulu

Love, Victor is a TV series spinoff of the film Love, Simon, which, in turn, is based on Becky Albertalli's YA novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. In the series, the titular Victor (Michael Cimino) sets out on a journey of discovering his own sexuality after enrolling in Creekwood High School, the same school where Simon (Nick Robinson) studied in the movie.

In a similar format to the movie, Victor exchanges messages with the now-graduated Simon, seeking advice about his own struggles. Rachel Hilson, Anthony Turpel, Bebe Wood, Mason Gooding, and George Sear complete the cast of the series, written by the duo Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger (This is Us). The first two seasons are available on Hulu.

Significant progress in the entertainment industry has been made recently in terms of representation, yet much remains to be accomplished. The persistence of promoting diverse voices and narratives is vital, both onscreen and off. Series such as Heartstopper and others on this list signifies a positive shift, but constant efforts are necessary. If you are in search of a wholesome romance or compelling drama, these shows offer an excellent starting point. Embrace the significance of representation and diversity in entertainment while enjoying these series.