I’ve never seen a show and felt so connected to the characters and the storyline — until I watched “Heartstopper.”
The show details the lives of the main characters as well as their friends, teachers and family. To me, the show is unique because it portrays being in the LGBTQ+ community as nothing special. It’s a normal thing.
And as a bisexual person, that means everything.
Released in 2022, “Heartstopper” follows nine high schoolers in Slough, United Kingdom. Eight out of the nine are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the show accurately portrays the hardships that come with it. The show balances reality and the light-heartedness of being a teenager in the LGBTQ+ community.
The third season, released on Oct. 3, was a lot different from the first two. There was less sunshine and rainbows and more adversity. But I appreciated that this season, there was no sugarcoating. It made the show relatable.
Some of the main characters include Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), a shy and awkward teenage boy who struggles with his mental health and an eating disorder; Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), the star rugby player and Charlie’s boyfriend; Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney), a talented artist and transgender girl; Tao Xu (William Gao), a quirky, loyal friend and Elle’s boyfriend and Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan), a bookworm who is aroromantic-asexual and often feels left out.
As the season went on, we got to see Charlie get the help he needed for his mental health and eating disorder. It was nice to see mental facilities painted in a positive light because that is the story for many people watching.
“‘Heartstopper’ is such a special show that we can handle quite serious topics with quite a lighthearted tone in a way and the audience always knows that the characters are going to be okay in the end, which means that we can go to these dark places without feeling like we’re going to alienate the audience,” Locke said in an interview with Deadline.
In a way, it felt like I grew up with the characters. Over the last two years, my life has changed a lot, and it was nice to see the characters progress and grow as well. I also love that “Heartstopper” follows multiple storylines.
The show also highlights the pressures of getting ready for college. Along with Nick, other main characters such as Tara Jones (Corinna Brown), Sahar Zahid (Leila Khan) and Imogen Heaney (Rhea Norwood) take a trip to universities to see which ones fit them. This is where Nick realizes he needs to put himself first and not always have Charlie at the front of his mind.
Even though Nick and Charlie’s relationship had a bit of turbulence, I enjoyed seeing Elle and Tao’s relationship blossom, as it was more of a slow burn.
“I think the main thing for me was the relationship with Tao and how mature it is,” Finney, said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “It grows and builds into this unbreakable bond, which I love, and I’ve never experienced as Yasmin. The audience gets to see a very mature, fresh take on not only the gay experience, but the transgender experience, and the experience of falling in love in a more adult way.”
However, Isaac spends a lot of time in all three seasons feeling like an outcast. Due to his friends all being in relationships and his inability to feel that sort of connection, he feels like he doesn’t fit in. In this season he decides to tell his friends that he is both aromantic-asexual, and the group welcomes him with open arms.
Much like Isaac, Imogen also has an amazing character development story. In seasons one and two, she was boy-obsessed, but in season three she realizes that she only likes the attention and not being in relationships with them. She spends a lot of this season figuring out what she wants and leans on her friends for guidance and support.
I’m a sucker for coming-of-age stories, and to me, this show was the story of the year. The way the actors can make their storylines feel real sets it apart from any other show I’ve seen.
I wish that I had this show when I was younger. I think it would’ve helped me feel comfortable in my skin when I was dealing with figuring out my sexuality in middle school. But watching it now, I realize that I was never truly alone. So, I’m not-so-patiently waiting for season four, and even though I’m confident in who I am, I know my journey isn’t over yet.v
