Newest Netflix Series, Heartstopper, Receives Rave Reviews on Premier Weekend -

By Angela Hickey

Netflix has shown viewers how to fall in love once again with its new hit series, Heartstopper, which was released last weekend, April 22.

Based on the hit ongoing web-comic-turned-graphic-novel by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper tells the story of Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), an openly gay, British grammar schooler, and his budding romance with his new deskmate, Nick Nelson (Kit Connor).

After binge-reading the entire comic on Webtoon in one day, I can say with complete certainty that this show has all the makings to be a complete hit. With breathtaking visuals, a plot nearly identical to the source material, and a soundtrack that wonderfully depicts the emotions of first love, Heartstopper has all the makings of a fan favorite, even going as far as to receive a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience rating of 99%.

According to Oseman’s website, the webcomic has amassed an enormous online fanbase with over 52.1 million views to date. Inspired by this online following, Oseman then crowd-funded a limited print-run edition, meeting her funding goal in less than two hours. The Heartstopper series has inspired an outpouring of love since it was first published in 2019, with one million print copies sold worldwide and selling-out nationwide book tours, which attests to just how beloved this story and these characters are to fans.

Locke and Connor do an excellent job at portraying the friendship turned romance between Nick and Charlie, displaying their serious acting prowess and perfect on-screen chemistry. The leading duo perfectly depicts the story that navigates the ups and downs of first love, friendships, coming out, and mental health; they are also beautifully framed by a warm cast of supporting characters. But, it would be good to keep in mind that some of these topics can be triggering.
If you are looking for a story all about love, friendship, and the complexities surrounding the search for oneself, you can watch the first season of Heartstopper on Netflix or catch up with the comic on Tumblr, Tapas, or Webtoon.