This week Netflix drops the hotly-anticipated third season of its smash hit original Heartstopper.
For those who have been living under a rock in recent years, Heartstopper is the adaptation of Alice Oseman’s best-selling coming-of-age graphic novels, following titular characters Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) and their close-knit queer friend group.
The brand-new season picks up where the last one left off, on the edge of “I love you’s” almost shared between Nick and Charlie. Charlie is stressing about telling Nick that he loves him, while Nick is also wanting to bring up noticing that Charlie is struggling to eat. It’s a dramatic shift for a show which has always been light and breezy, but everyone’s growing up and so are the themes.
Elsewhere Elle (Yasmine Finney) and Tao (William Gao) want to take their relationship to the next level, but issues arise. Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) explores their gender identity, trying new pronouns whilst living with girlfriend Tara (Corinna Brown) who is struggling with anxiety about the future. Meanwhile Isaac (Tobie Donovan) explores his asexuality while surrounded by his coupled-up friends.
Oseman continues to adapt her own work, and across the eight 30-minute episodes there are shades of light and dark as Locke and Connor go from strength-to-strength. Charlie’s story arc underpins the season, allowing the show to grow with its target audience while tackling some tough material that book fans will already be familiar with. Although delving into confronting and emotional topics, it allows for stand-out performances all round, with episode 4 one of the year’s best as Charlie’s disorder takes centre-stage.
Filling the Olivia Coleman void is Hayley Atwell as Aunt Diane, who delivers some sage advice, and it’s refreshing to see Tori (Jenny Walser) get a more expanded presence as tough-times hit the Spring household.
Heartstopper may be growing up, but its still one of the most standout shows of the year that can’t be missed.
5 Stars
Heartstopper lands on Netflix today, Thursday 3 October.
