On April 22, Netflix released a new original series called Heartstopper that has been in the top ten on Netflix since it dropped, and should definitely be on your must-watch list for this year. Here is why.
Heartstopper technically has been adapted from the hit graphic novel series by Alice Oseman. It’s a colorful, heartwarming graphic novel that over the last few years has gotten enough attention to be adapted to a series. The series starts off capturing Oseman’s first two novels, focusing on the two main characters Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring. These two characters slowly fall in love, and viewers watch them learn from each other and make long-lasting memories.
The story has scenes where characters learn who they are, face coming out to their peers around them, stand up to people who drag others or themselves down, and so much more. On top of that the story also allows for the side-characters, Nick Nelson and Charlie Springs’ friends, to have their time to shine in the show. Viewers get to see the raw friendship between the group of friends and each of their characters. Mia Doraci, a sophomore at South, agrees that scenes with the side characters “are funny but also caring.” She watched the show this past week. “It’s well thought out and interesting,” said Doraci.
There is a lot of LGBTQ+ representation shown throughout the series, seen with multiple gay and lesbian relationships and a transgender character.
“I love the representation in the show. It is important that media is representative of all communities and Heartstopper was able to do that beautifully,” said Doraci.
That’s not all! The hit show also portrays Oseman’s graphic novel beautifully due to Oseman co-producing the show and working with the cast; this isn’t always the case with screen adaptations from books. Due to this Doraci points out that “the dialogue in the show often matches the dialogue in the books word for word, and also does an excellent job of foreshadowing things for the future season.” The show also incorporates some of the same drawings from the comic throughout the season: the school walls are painted with certain illustrations from the books, and when there are happy moments within the season tiny sketched leaves are seen floating around.
The show also has an amazing soundtrack featuring songs such as “Why Am I Like This?” by Orla Gartland, “Don’t Delete The Kisses” by Wolf Alice, and “Telephone” by Waterparks. They all are catchy songs that will for sure be played by you more than once after completing the show.
Additionally, one of the coolest things about this show is that the cast is mostly all under the age of 20 which is very rare for a show portraying teenagers. This allowed for the cast to relate to their characters more and allow for their characters to portray common things teens do today and how they act.
