TV Review: 'Heartstopper' Season 1

Whether you’ve read the graphic novels by Alice Oseman or not, this uplifting show is sure to make you smile. The Heartstopper series on Netflix that debuts April 22 consists of 8 episodes about 25 minutes each, so you can binge the entire thing in less than four hours. I purposefully didn’t watch them all at once, partially to keep my excitement going for as long as possible, but also to rest my face from grinning so much.

The story follows Charlie and Nick as they bashfully discover first love together at fifteen and sixteen years old, respectfully. Charlie came out as gay the previous year in school and continues to be bullied for it, but his experience helps him support Nick as Nick explores his sexuality as well. (For those concerned, the books and show keep strictly G rated.) Others in their friend group struggle to be true to themselves while being bullied as well, but they all support each other in the process.

For the book readers, the Netflix series covers both Volume One and Two, which isn’t surprising as they are fairly short. I was glad for the change as it would have been strange to leave the show where Volume One ends and have to wait a year or more for another season. Book fans will enjoy many nods to the graphic novels throughout the show; the novels are drawn in black, white, and turquoise, so the Netflix series features turquoise heavily, from wall colors to clothing. To my delight, the series also included some comic-style overlays: as Charlie and Nick gaze into each other’s eyes, comic-style hearts and stars swirl around them, all in Oseman’s drawing style.

I have dubbed Charlie “my baby boy”; he is so adorable with his dimples and his little waves to Nick that I want to pinch his cheeks and tousle his hair. The casting choices were phenomenal all around. The leads Joe Locke (Charlie) and Kit Connor (Nick) are perfect as they dance around each other, and teachers Fisayo Akinade (Mr. Ajayi) and Chetna Pandya (Coach Singh) bring true empathy to the boys’ journey. For the most part, the cast are relative unknowns, though Nick’s mother is played by someone quite famous indeed. (You’ll have to wait and see for yourself!)

The Netflix team thankfully kept Alice Oseman on as creator and writer, so it’s no wonder that the show is so faithful to the books. There are some added scenes to help round out the supporting cast, which I enjoyed immensely; it was so nice to get to know Tao, Elle, Tara, and Darcy a bit sooner than in the books. With Oseman so heavily involved, it also makes me hopeful that the series will get picked up for another season and stay true to the characters. I would love to see this cast frolic around Paris!

So if you’ve had a bad day or simply need to decompress with something lighthearted and wholesome, please watch this series. You will “aww” over the precious teen romances and cheer when bullies are defeated. As the characters say their catchphrase, “Why are we like this?”, you will answer, “Because you are exactly who you are meant to be, which is darling and hopeful.”