Heartstopper prioritizes queer joy in a difficult year for representation

In a year filled with a seemingly overflowing amount of queer pain in media, Netflix’s latest release Heartstopper feels like a shining light in the darkness.

Coming right off the heels of one of the most egregious cases of Bury Your Gays since 2016 in the Killing Eve finale, I think it’s safe to say that the LGBTQ community and queer audiences need a pick-me-up. That bright spot is Netflix’s new 8-episode drama series titled Heartstopper, adapted from the graphic novel of the same name.

The series follows two high school boys, Charlie and Nick, as they navigate being young and queer alongside their predominantly queer friend group. While the main story focuses on the relationship between Charlie and Nick, the show also features a lesbian love story through Tara and Darcy, as well as trans representation with Elle.

While Heartstopper certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel, covering the heavily-trafficked topics of coming out and bullying, the series still finds ways to be fresh and heart-warming.

For starters, it’s incredibly rare to see two young queer boys be the central love interest of a show, let alone one that allows them to be happy throughout most of it. Even though Nick and Charlie have their ups and downs, and deal with much more than any high school kid deserves to, their storyline still always comes back to their happiness. We often see gay men suffer on screen, especially in shows like Pose and Riverdale, so Heartstopper’s constant queer joy sets it apart from the crowd.

Nick and Charlie aren’t the only two allowed moments of joy, either. Even though Elle’s struggles as a trans woman are discussed throughout the series, we never actually have to endure blatant transphobia as the audience. We understand her hardships, but we see her triumphs despite them. Where a lesser show might isolate her to highlight the hardships she may face as a trans woman, Heartstopper surrounds her with love, from both new friends and old.

Darcy and Tara also face their fair share of struggles, but, again, Heartstopper focuses on the joyous aspects of their relationship, and commits to showing a healthy, supportive, lesbian couple on screen.

The series reflects the reality of Gen Z, with each kid coming into their own and discovering themselves with each other’s support.

Nick’s storyline of discovering his bisexuality feels particularly special, especially since most bisexual characters never actually get to use the word on screen. Nick is allowed both the admittance and exploration of his bisexuality, with Heartstopper even going as far as to quantify it through a scene of Nick having a “bi panic,” while watching Elizabeth and Will share a scene in Pirates of the Caribbean.

The audience is even spared the traditional “unsupportive parent,” angle, through a touching scene between Nick and his mother, portrayed by Oscar winner Olivia Coleman. She accepts him for who he is the instant he comes out to her and doesn’t question his bisexuality at all. It’s refreshing to see supportive parents on screen; in the name of realism, some shows alienate their audience with depressing stories of rejection and hatred, but Heartstopper provides a safe space for its characters and audience.

In the aftermath of the Killing Eve finale, in particular, Heartstopper feels like a rebuttal, a pushback on those that insist suffering is an inherent part of telling good queer stories.

Accented by doodles and animations inspired by the graphic novel and underscored by a soundtrack filled with enough incredible indie-pop to compete with Love, Simon’s, Heartstopper is an incredibly joyous and heartwarming romp.

Through its 8 half-hour episodes, the series understands the pacing it needs to tell a convincing story, spending enough time with each character to make their final moments in episode 8 bittersweet. Bittersweet only because our short time with these characters is up, at least for now.

With so much up in the air at Netflix, it’s uncertain what will survive the massive overhaul currently happening at the streaming giant. Though, even if Heartstopper is an unfortunate one-season wonder, the ending is just satisfying enough to satiate viewers and leave its audience with the warmest of hearts.

If you’re queer and looking for your next quick binge, this show is it. It’s a high school drama without the juvenile feel of certain teen shows, and the themes of belonging and self-acceptance are universal enough to take any audience member through to the end.

If you liked Love, Simon, this one is a must-see, but even if you didn’t, it’s a soothing balm any queer TV lover needs after this particularly difficult year for representation. If you have four free hours to fill, let this be the show to fill it.

Heartstopper’s first season is streaming in its entirety, only on Netflix.