Kit Connor as Nick Nelson, Jonathan Bailey as Jack Maddox and Joe Locke as Charlie Spring in a scene from an episode of Seasin 3 of "Heartstopper." (Photo courtesy of Samuel Dore/Netflix)
Take the plunge already. You've run out of excuses, plus you've already heard how good it makes you feel, and not just from me. Okay, mostly from me.
This tough-love nudge could easily be applied to Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring, the appealing lovebirds at the center of the hit Netflix series “Heartstopper,” in response to the trepidation both characters feel about taking their relationship to the next level.
But no, the above coaxing is directed at friends and acquaintances to whom I've been recommending this small-screen adaptation of British author Alice Oseman's webcomic, collected in graphic novel form, about a group of predominantly LGBTQ+ teenage friends, ever since its debut in the spring of 2022.
And for two and a half years, that recommendation, with a few notable exceptions, has fallen on deaf ears, I'm having a hard time discerning why, because there is no doubt from where I'm sitting that this is not only the very best show on Netflix, but also, despite its wish-fulfillment trappings, one of the most accurate portrayals of that awkward hemming and hawing you experience the first time you fall for someone. It's perceptive about its characters' hangups and aspirations, bright and inviting in its depiction of its U.K. setting, and wise about the (frequently delicate) subjects it covers.
Most of all, the show oozes empathy. Its tenderness and generosity of spirit can heal the sick, generate power for a small nation and help bring about world peace. If enough people watched it. The show is undeniably a hit for the streaming giant, where it's topped the charts in quite a few countries, though not, tellingly, in the U.S., where at least until now, it has peaked at number 2.
So why the years-long foot dragging? Is it the young adult thing? Get over it. With its inspired writing, top-notch direction, eclectic soundtrack and uniformly excellent cast, the series transcends those trappings. Don't want to watch the misadventures of two teenage boys in love? That's not the show's problem. Also, are we really having that conversation? For a show about commitment, the response by too many people in my life has been dishearteningly noncommittal.
As of this writing, it's been just over 24 hours since Season 3 of “Heartstopper” dropped on Netflix. Once the Christmas-morning feeling dissipates, what stands out, even more conspicuously than before, is how much this is a show about growth, in terms of the characters as well as the uncompromising nature of its subject matter and thematic breadth. Our baby is coming of age, in more ways than one.
Kit Connor as Nick Nelson and Joe Locke as Charlie Spring in a scene from an episode of Season 3 of "Heartstopper." (Photo courtesy of Samuel Dore/Netflix)
The first half of this eight-episode season, with each episode running between 32 and 38 minutes in length, is dominated by Charlie (Joe Locke) and the toll that his mental health challenges takes on him, his family and the strong bond he shares with Nick (Kit Connor), his floppy-haired, rugby-king boyfriend. In one of the series' most inspired subversions, Nick is hardly a pillar of strength but someone who still harbors deep insecurities as he navigates his recently discovered bisexuality.
Joe Locke as Charlie Spring in a scene from an episode of Season 3 of "Heartstopper." (Photo courtesy of Samuel Dore/Netflix)
But what is never in doubt for him is how much he loves Charlie, a devotion that wafts off the screen with intoxicating flair, visually represented by animated leaves that swirl around the characters. It's a deft stylistic flourish that tips its hat to the series' source material. But love, Oseman conveys with sobering real talk, may not be enough to solve the growing dilemma first introduced during the boys' trip to Paris in Season 2: Charlie has an eating disorder that threatens to gobble up his entire world.
Oseman, who penned each of the episodes and is the series' showrunner, underscores Charlie's emotional isolation, and how his interactions with Nick, in person and via text messages, act as a lifeline that can only help him so much. The walls are closing in, and it might not be immediately apparent to viewers how stealthily Oseman is turning the screws on our central couple. That the show remains optimistic when dealing with these storm clouds, all while refusing to undermine the severity of Charlie's condition, is key to what makes it so special.
Another “Heartstopper” virtue is how the intimacy with which Nick and Charlie's relationship is depicted does not prevent Oseman and director Andy Newbery, capably taking over the reins from Seasons 1 and 2 director Euros Lyn, from fleshing out the supporting characters, and they are golden. Movie buff Tao Xu (William Gao) is dealing with separation anxiety now that his girlfriend Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney) is studying art and away from him for extended periods of time. Elle is dealing with her own issues as a trans artist whose burgeoning social media popularity is not without its pitfalls.
Meanwhile, interracial lesbian couple Tara Jones (Corinna Brown) and Darcy Olsson (Kizzy Edgell) are navigating uncharted waters after Darcy is kicked out of her home. A Season 2 interaction between Tara and Darcy's mom shows how ugly homophobia can be. But despite their issues, this is the most well-adjusted couple in the show. Coming out? They did it first and did it better. We also are given further insight into Isaac (Tobie Donovan), this circle of friends' avid reader. This is by far Donovan's most accomplished performance in the role.
Darragh Hand as Michael Holden and Jenny Walser as Tori Spring in a scene from an episode of Season 3 of "Heartstopper." (Photo courtesy of Netflix)
Perhaps the most marked character development comes from Charlie's family. His mother Jane (Georgina Rich), too often seen as a nag in Season 2, shows further layers this time, and his sister Tori (Jenny Walser), who is the protagonist of Oseman's novel “Solitaire,” is perhaps “Heartstopper's” secret weapon. The character, emo-adjacent and protective of her younger sibling, is also frequently funny. Will dating finally be in the cards for her? I'm not telling, but the series throws a delightful curveball her way.
Yes, fans of the first two seasons will feel the absence of Olivia Colman, so good as Nick's mom Sarah, who had to sit this one out due to scheduling conflicts, but Oseman has shifted a couple of crucial scenes to Nick's aunt Diane, played exquisitely by Hayley Atwell. One scene in particular, in which Nick shares his concerns about Charlie to Diane, reduced me to a blubbering mess. Connor and Atwell knock it out of the park.
Hayley Atwell as Diane in a scene from an episode of Season 3 of "Heartstopper." (Photo courtesy of Netflix)
If Season 3 feels somewhat lopsided, it's because the second half, which dives into the will-they-or-won't-they sexytime matter regarding its leads, can't possibly match the dramatic depth of Charlie's mental health arc. It's still a lovingly rendered depiction of the couple's escalation in physical intimacy. One may argue that there's a certain timidity in how much to reveal, but rest assured that Oseman doesn't look away. The progression is not without its stumbles, but the show is able to establish an ideal balance between funny and touching moments.
Kit Connor as Nick Nelson in a scene from an episode of Season 3 of "Heartstopper." (Photo courtesy of Daniel Escale/Netflix)
And that's why “Heartstopper's” fierce fans keep coming back for more. The show's safety-blanket approach to adolescence doesn't lose sight of the challenges the characters face. It is actually more adept in its handling of thorny mature topics than many series aimed squarely at grown-ups. When I reached the end of this latest, deeply satisfying season, I scribbled “serotonin for the soul.” This show is uplifting yet grounded, clear-eyed yet disarmingly romantic. A sweet confection that conceals some massive truth bombs. It's ready to sweep you off your feet. Are you in or not? The correct answer is yes.
2024 has been a big year for the show's stars. Theatergoers in New York can catch Connor opposite Rachel Zegler in a new adaptation of “Romeo & Juliet,” and moviegoers can hear him as the voice of an orphaned gosling in DreamWorks Animation's “The Wild Robot.” Locke recently wrapped up his own Broadway stint in a revival of “Sweeney Todd,” and Disney+ viewers can catch him in the new Marvel series “Agatha All Along” alongside Kathryn Hahn, Aubrey Plaza and Patti LuPone. Our boys have been busy.
Season 3 of “Heartstopper” is now streaming on Netflix.
