Heartstopper returns and meets all expectations
“Heartstopper” by Alice Oseman, originally a Webtoon comic, has become a four-book series, as well as a number-one show on Netflix directed by Euros Lyn. Since the summer of 2022, fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of its second season this August, after falling in love with the characters and the heartwarming storylines.
The show follows Charlie Spring, played by Joe Locke, throughout his year 10 and 11 at an all-boys school in England, when after being outed for his homosexuality, he struggles with his mental health due to the bullying from his peers. But, throughout any difficulties or hardships that had arised, Spring’s friend group, including his boyfriend, Nick Nelson, played by Kit Connor, supported each other unconditionally.
Last season, Nelson explored his sexuality and after coming out to his mother in season one, Nelson comes out as bisexual to the world officially this season, allowing him to be himself around his friends and peers. Fans, including myself, are so proud of Nelson and his actor, Kit Connor, who also came out as bisexual after feeling pressured by “Heartstopper’’ fans to do so. While many were initially upset that he felt pressured, he has stated he does not regret it and fans support him regardless.
In this new season, there continues to be developments in personal character, friendships and self discovery. During the year, Spring, Nelson and their friends embark on a school trip to Paris, during which both characters and viewers were stunned by Nelson’s fluency in French, and I was just as shocked by the multiple unexpected new romances that had sparked while in the “City of Love”.
Also while in Paris, ongoing relationships such as Nelson and Spring’s, deepened. The scene where Spring opened up about his internal obstacles to Nelson, who comforted him and assured him that they can tell each other anything was especially heartwarming.
In my opinion, this scene and the scene of Darcy Olsson and her mother, who disapproved of her daughter wearing a suit to prom and ultimately told her daughter to leave, were two of the most well-acted scenes in the show. The actors were able to portray the heartbreaking emotions their characters felt as if they were genuinely in that moment, through their facial expressions, body language and other incredible acting skills.
In general, all of the actors’ performances were phenomenal throughout the entire show. The music this season also elevated the actors’ performances and really added to the atmosphere.
Isaac Henderson, one of Spring’s first and best friends, and one of my personal favorite characters, began to discover his asexuality while in Paris, as well. Henderson’s character has been known to be asexual prior to the release of the show, but only now in season two is he really exploring the idea of asexuality and identifying with it. The way his journey and all of the other characters’ journeys in self discovery are cinematically portrayed is truly amazing, and I feel that for many of the viewers, this show can help them in their journeys as well.
Overall, “Heartstopper” is a wonderfully written and directed story that is incredibly inclusive and conveys such realistic, heartbreakingly relatable messages in a way that is somewhat comforting for any viewers that may be going through similar situations, or feeling similar emotions. As for season three, which I am sure “Heartstopper” fans, including myself, are already anticipating, Oseman has released the title for the first episode, “Love”.
