Heartstopper is such good television, such good storytelling. It’s a celebration of queer love in a group of teens who band together in a friend group for support. This coming of age series tackles some serious topics in season 3. The big ensemble cast is in top form.
I reviewed seasons 1 and 2 of Heartstopper. Everything I said then still applies. The characters are growing up, gaining some maturity, and face some serious issues.
The central relationship in the series is between rugby player Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke). Their story arc is intense in season 3 for several reasons. They declare their love for each other. They decide they are ready to have sex. Series creator Alice Oseman uses such tenderness and care for the young couple as they explore vulnerability, consent, and first love while working their way up to sex.
Charlie has mental health problems. He finally admits to his family and friends that he needs help. His sister Tori (Jenny Walker) and Nick were both worried sick about him and feeling helpless to fix anything. Charlie’s parents sent him to a facility where he had therapy with Geoff (Eddie Marsan). Geoff was a big help. Seeing Eddie Marsan as a kindhearted, understanding character was a treat. He’s usually typecast as a bad guy.
Nick’s mother, who was played by Olivia Colman in past seasons, was around, but we got no glimpse of her. Instead Nick talked over his issues and worries about Charlie with his Aunt Diane (Hayley Atwell). Aunt Diane was a psychiatrist and she helped Nick understand what he could and could not do to support Charlie in his mental health crisis. If you can’t have Olivia Colman, bringing on Hayley Atwell is a great move!
Tao (William Gao) and Elle (Yasmin Finney) also had a significant arc in season 3. They were in separate schools. They, too, wanted to take the next step to sex. They talked their way through Elle’s body dysmorphia issues and took care of each other beautifully.
Elle had a lot of followers on Instagram because she was posting her art. She was invited to be interviewed on the radio as a talented young artist. The interviewer asked her intrusive and unkind questions about her transness, and Elle walked out of the interview. Good for her!
Isaac (Tobie Donovan), the asexual and aromantic character, was having a hard time, feeling left out as everyone around him coupled up and left him feeling like a third wheel. He stuck up for himself and told them what he needed. To everyone’s credit, they responded with kindness and love.
Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) had a couple arc in season 3. But they had separate issues too. Tara was under a lot of pressure to be the top academically and choose a top university. Darcy was struggling with her home life and homophobic mother. Darcy tried out a nonbinary identity and it seemed to suit her well. She felt more comfortable in that identity.
Imogen (Rhea Norwood) struggled to define her sexuality too. She kept planting kisses on people when she was drinking at parties, then regretting it later.
My review of the character arcs makes it sound like there was nothing fun going on, but these are high school kids and they were doing all the high school things. There were parties, days at the beach and the zoo, family celebrations for Thanksgiving and Christmas, New Year’s Eve fireworks and lots of high spirits. Thoughts of the future, of university or possibly a gap year, were on everyone’s mind.
Little animations scattered here and there did two jobs. They often expressed joy and delight. They were used to show the darkness closing in on Charlie as he struggled with intrusive thoughts. The playful animations were a reminder that old ladies like me are not the core audience for this series. It belongs to the budding queer tweens and teens who desperately need this kind of representation on their screens.
Even though I’m decades beyond that demographic, I recognize brilliant storytelling. This series is outstanding. It’s full of heart and love. If you’ve never seen it, start with season 1 and watch it all. The season 3 trailer gives you a tiny taste of several storylines. It’s on Netflix.
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