Netflix’s new queer series “Heartstopper” makes explosive debut
Netflix’s highly anticipated new series, queer YA romance Heartstopper came out last April 22 to a warm welcome on the streaming platform. Already, the show is one of the most tweeted about shows on Twitter, eagerly filling the No.1 spot on Variety’s Trending TV chart over the last weekend with a grand 929,000 engagements.
The success of the series is hardly a surprise, with longtime fans of the original webcomic turned graphic novel by Alice Oseman (she/they) eagerly contributing to its success. The books have now sold millions of copies as well, and according to Oseman’s website, have garnered over 52 million views online. Oseman also wrote and executively produced the eight-part series, which follows the first two volumes of the comic.
A heartwarming teen drama for and by queer people
The British coming-of-age story follows 15-year-old Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) through his feelings and relationship with popular rugby player Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). While the story is aimed at queer youth, its large social media following features fans of all ages.
Fans describe the series as a warm hug, offering not only providing ample diversity, but tackling several uniquely queer issues, such as coming to terms with one’s identity, queer mental health, dealing with bigotry and internalized biases, and coming out and exploring new relationships with a positive undercurrent of hope.
An ode to queer identity, friendship, and first love
Although Oseman’s passion project spotlights an MLM romance, it is not lacking in LGBTQ+ representation across the board, including canonically gay, lesbian, trans, nonbinary, and bisexual characters, providing young viewers with healthy, positive depictions of their identities and relationships.
“We wanted young actors, we wanted to cast authentically, [and] we obviously needed talented people,” Oseman had said. “So we knew it was going to be a difficult, difficult task. But somehow, they just found their way to us.”
The story is a romance at its center, but Oseman has also tried their best to portray positive, compelling, and relatable relationships outside of Charlie and Nick.
“I think it’s really important to stress the importance of friendships in teen stories because, in reality, teens don’t usually meet the love of their life in their teens, and the most important relationships in the lives of teens are friendships. So even in a romance story, like Heartstopper, it’s so important to celebrate friendship as well.”
Already, fans are raving about the possibility of a second season of the show to cover the remaining three volumes of the graphic novel, however so far there have been no updates.
Watch Heartstopper Official Trailer from Netflix: