Heartstopper
Heartstopper
Now Showing

Heartstopper

"The beginning of one thing can be the rest of everything."

8.6
Yr 2022
Status Canceled
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

Teens Charlie and Nick discover their unlikely friendship might be something more as they navigate school and young love.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 95 /100

Heartstopper has been widely celebrated by critics as a joyous, gentle, and essential entry in the coming-of-age genre. Reviewers frequently describe the series as immensely likable and heartwarming, praising its authentic, nourishing approach to queer romance and identity. The show's use of subtle animation elements and its upbeat, sunlight-drenched aesthetic are often cited as key factors in its inviting and adorable appeal.

While the near-universal consensus highlights the show as an important and restorative piece of television, a minority of critiques suggest that the series leans heavily into its young adult focus. Some reviewers noted that the show prioritizes a gentle, slice-of-life tone over complex plot development, leading to some debate regarding whether the narrative possesses enough dramatic weight beyond its sweet, romantic themes.

“This is quite possibly the loveliest TV series that I have ever seen.”

“The series opts for restraint and quiet humor, which gives its core lessons room to breathe.”

“Upbeat and gentle, full of sunlight and bright colours, with a welcome lightness of touch that sets it apart from others of its genre.”

“It's a stark contrast to fellow LGBTQ+ show Love, Victor... but in the case of Heartstopper, not much really happens.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix Standard with Ads
UK • CA • US
Netflix
CA • US • UK
Why fans love it

Heartstopper sidesteps the typical cynicism of teen drama by grounding its romance in genuine care. The series treats the budding relationship between Charlie and Nick with a gentle focus, allowing the stakes of school life and personal identity to unfold without rush. Joe Locke anchors this approach as the story navigates the quiet complexities of coming out and the vulnerability required to bridge a friendship into something more.

Beyond the central attraction, the show builds a broader landscape that honors a spectrum of experiences. By weaving in storylines involving non-binary identity, sapphic relationships, and the difficult reality of managing an eating disorder, the narrative highlights the interconnected lives of a diverse student body. It presents these themes with a sincerity that avoids melodrama, centering the importance of support networks during the unsteady transition toward adulthood.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 18
Longest run 24 eps
Show 67 more
Rhea Norwood as Imogen Heaney 22 episodes Momo Yeung as Yan Xu 5 episodes Jenny Walser as Tori Spring 17 episodes Leila Khan as Sahar Zahid 15 episodes Stephen Fry as Headmaster Barnes (voice) 5 episodes Alan Turkington as Mr Lange 7 episodes Isabel Adomakoh-Young as Miss Greenwood 3 episodes Courtney-Jai as Courtney-Jai 1 episode Leonie Spilsbury as Miss Hyder 1 episode Frewyn Thursfield as Orchestra Girl 1 episode Jack O'Doherty as Young Nick 1 episode Livia Nelson as Young Tara 1 episode Richard Stemp as Mr Budd 2 episodes Fin Milne as Student 2 1 episode Emilie Largier as Madame Martin 1 episode Jessal Kullar-Bell as Girl 2 1 episode Hesper Holden as Tiny Girl 1 1 episode Tabitha Byron as Tiny Girl 2 1 episode Kush Mukerji as Student 1 1 episode Ella Maisy Purvis as Girl 1 1 episode Sebastian Croft as Ben Hope 13 episodes Ashwin Vishwanath as Sai Verma 15 episodes Evan Ovenell as Christian McBride 15 episodes Araloyin Oshunremi as Otis Smith 14 episodes Fisayo Akinade as Mr Ajayi 14 episodes Chetna Pandya as Coach Singh 11 episodes Olivia Colman as Sarah Nelson 10 episodes Georgina Rich as Jane Spring 12 episodes Joseph Balderrama as Julio Spring 11 episodes Bradley Riches as James McEwan 9 episodes David Thackeray as French Teacher 1 episode Irina Leoncio as Spanish Teacher 1 episode Jack Barton as David Nelson 5 episodes Zoe Molyneux as Keira the Tour Guide 2 episodes Bel Priestley as Naomi Russell 7 episodes Ash Self as Felix Britten 7 episodes Phoenix Stone as Older Student 1 episode Laura Hanna as Mariam Argent 4 episodes LJ Bennion as Ticket Clerk 1 episode Benjamin Cléry as Ice Cream Server 1 episode Sam Firth as Young Charlie 1 episode Eden Gough as Young Tao 1 episode Euros Lyn as Security Guard 1 episode Thibault de Montalembert as Stéphane Nelson 3 episodes Vanessa Cruickshank as Pauline Jones 2 episodes Ethan Joseph-Robert as Alex the Artist 1 episode Rebecca Root as Principal Edwards 3 episodes Rachael Stirling as Amanda Olsson 2 episodes Baby Queen as Prom Singer 1 episode Habib Nasib Nader as Richard Argent 2 episodes Nima Taleghani as Mr Farouk 12 episodes Annette Badland as Ivy Olsson 3 episodes Hayley Atwell as Aunt Diane 3 episodes Eddie Marsan as Geoff Young 3 episodes Martin Marquez as Ant Spring 1 episode Darragh Hand as Michael Holden 4 episodes Malcolm Rennie as Grandad Roger 1 episode Tamara Ustinov as Grandma Nancy 1 episode Jonathan Bailey as Jack Maddox 1 episode Christopher Hatherall as Uncle Rich 2 episodes Riz Khan as GP 1 episode Lucy Speed as Susan Denvers 1 episode Jensen Clayden as Oliver Spring 1 episode Lara Decaro as Clara Spring 1 episode Georgina Bitmead as Esther Spring 1 episode Amber James as Producer 1 episode Eliott Hameau as Classmate (uncredited) 2 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Makeup Designer
Standby Art Director
Casting Associate
Creator
Executive Producer
Second Unit Director
Director of Photography
Line Producer
Art Department Assistant
Original Music Composer
Makeup Artist
Crowd Assistant Director
Storyboard Artist
Makeup Trainee
Producer
Assistant Director
Costume Design
Set Decoration
Casting
Special Effects Technician
Makeup Supervisor
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Heartstopper overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

coming out friendship high school love growing up romance coming of age based on graphic novel first love lgbt lgbt teen eating disorder teen drama asexuality non-binary gay theme gay relationship sapphic boys' love (bl) transgender kent, england
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
April 22, 2022
Status
Canceled
Origin
GB
TMDB Votes
1,761