Alice Oseman’s “Heartstopper” season two lands in the second-place spot of Netflix’s top ten on Aug. 3,
Since the premier, over six million people have watched the new season. It covers the third book of the “Heartstopper” graphic novel series on which the Netflix show is based.
While it’s primarily about queer love and expression, the show tackles heavier topics that teenagers often experience. It explores Charlie Spring’s (Joe Locke) struggles with an eating disorder and depression. The show dabbles in scenes of Darcy Olsson’s (Kizzy Edgell) home life. These were scenes and details from the book itself with nearly exact quotes.
The overarching part of the season was the school trip to Paris. A lot occurred on the trip, including a break-up between Ben Hope (Sebastian Croft) and Imogen Heaney (Rhea Norwood) and a party for Darcy Olsson’s birthday.
I remember when I heard the release date for the second season; I was excited. I love the actors chosen to take on the roles of the beloved characters. Their interpretations of the characters developed over season one, but they’ve established themselves this season.
I’ve been an avid reader of the series since I’ve been introduced to it and so have many others. Fans of the books were dying for a live action rendition. While some characters were excluded, new characters were introduced. They brought another depth into the series.
Two notably new characters (both featured in the first season) are Imogen Heaney and Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan). Imogen plays the role of Nick Nelson’s (Kit Connor) best friend who had developed a crush on Nick until he made it clear he didn’t want to pursue her. Isaac is the book-loving nerd of his friend group and expresses his asexuality and aromantic feelings. This was the first season to go in depth with his sexuality and show Imogen as more than a love interest.
The elements those characters added to the show supplied a new aspect of the series. People who are aromantic and asexual often don’t get representation, but I saw that the show properly showed the experiences. I liked how Imogen had a redemption from the first season and showed that a love interest can become more involved in the story.
Often, I see characters as one-dimensional people who don’t develop a connection to the audience. However, I easily related to the characters in “Heartstopper” because I’ve experienced a lot of the things they had. It was easier to relate to the characters because their actors were actual teenagers or young adults. The show wasn’t always serious, because teenagers are weird. Also, the high school relationships aren’t perfect.
The series represented more than gay relationships. Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney) Is a transgender girl who dealt with transphobia and socially transitioning. The series did an excellent job of standing for every part of the queer community.
I’m happy Alice Oseman’s book series “Heartstopper” finally received the live action treatment it deserved with actors who portrayed the characters well. I give the show 4.3 stars.
“Heartstopper” is rated TV-14 and streaming now on Netflix.