Heartstopper is a series of graphic novels by Alice Oseman that follows the story of Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson as they navigate friendship, first love and discovering who they are while at secondary school.
Charlie is openly gay, while Nick begins to question his sexuality as the series progresses. Together, they face the ups and downs of growing up, supported by a wonderful group of friends while also dealing with bullying, prejudice and the challenges of being teenagers.
One of the things I love most about Heartstopper is how warm and hopeful it is.
The series celebrates LGBTQ+ identities, with characters who are gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender and asexual, while also exploring themes such as mental health, friendship and self-acceptance. It's also wonderfully diverse, with characters from a range of different backgrounds, making it feel realistic and relatable.
It's a brilliant series that I'd happily recommend to readers aged 12 and above.
From Graphic Novel to Netflix
Thanks to the huge success of the books, Heartstopper was adapted into a Netflix series.
The show stays remarkably faithful to the graphic novels while bringing the characters to life in a way that feels authentic and heartfelt.
The casting couldn't have been better. Joe Locke perfectly captures Charlie Spring's kindness and vulnerability, while Kit Connor is fantastic as Nick Nelson. Their chemistry is one of the biggest reasons the series works so well.
Why Heartstopper Matters
LGBTQ+ representation on television has come a long way over the years.
For decades, LGBTQ+ characters were often stereotyped, hidden away or portrayed negatively. Today, shows like Heartstopper tell joyful, hopeful stories where queer characters are simply allowed to exist, fall in love and be themselves.
I think that's one of the reasons the series has resonated with so many people around the world.
Season Two
I absolutely loved the second season.
I may or may not have watched all eight episodes in a single day... and then watched them again the next day!
Season Two continues adapting the story from the graphic novels while also expanding some of the supporting characters in ways we don't always get to see in the books.
Without giving away any spoilers, I really enjoyed spending more time with Tao, Isaac, Darcy and Elle. Their storylines add even more depth to the series without taking attention away from Nick and Charlie.
I also thought the new cast members fitted seamlessly into the show.
That said... where's Aled?
Book fans will know exactly what I mean!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Heartstopper is one of the best book-to-screen adaptations I've seen.
It captures everything that makes the graphic novels special—the warmth, humour, friendships and emotional moments—while adding just enough new material to make the television series feel fresh.
Whether you've already read the books or are completely new to the story, I'd highly recommend giving both the graphic novels and the Netflix series a try.
Below you'll find the trailers if you haven't seen the series yet and want a little preview.
And if you haven't guessed already...
A very easy 5-star recommendation from me.
