Opinion

Review: We need more shows like Netflix’s Heartstopper

Libby Greenall 463 Views ,  , 

One of the year’s most engaging new series is Netflix’s adaptation of Alice Oseman’s webcomic, Heartstopper.

Based and set in Kent’s seaside town Herne Bay, the LGBTQ+ based show has been popular on Netflix with it now being in the top 10 picks.

The Heartstopper production team filmed several sequences at Herne Bay Pier at Central Parade.

There were also a collection of scenes shot at the beach, and the town centre of the coastal town.

You might recognise scenes featuring Herne Bay High School or even characters travelling on Southeastern.

Synopsis:

Love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness are all themes in Heartstopper.

It incorporates all of Nick and Charlie’s minor stories that add up to something bigger.

Charlie and Nick go to the same school, but never meet until they are forced to sit next to one another in form. Through the course of the eight episodes, they evolve from friends to boyfriends.

The teen romance is an easy watch with only eight thirty-minute episodes – I watched the whole series in one sitting.

The show targets the age group of teen/young adults, who may be going through similar situations to the characters and shows the development and struggles they face.

Heartstopper feels very juvenile with little feuds between friendship groups and cartoon sparks when a hand touches and lots of long meaningful hugs. This, however, does suit the age group the show is aimed at.

I do think it is very refreshing to see characters partaking in school activities, confiding in parents and going to parties without alcohol.

Compared to other teen romance series like ‘Euphoria‘ for example which has a lot of drug and alcohol abuse within it.

Most conflicts between characters or tension are resolved fairly quickly with either a conversation or a run in the rain to each other’s front doors.

The characters have a mature understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and their sexuality.

They explore bisexual feelings and struggles some people face when coming out to friends and family.

There is potential for more stories to come after the first season as there is a lot more content in the graphic novels. Netflix could potentially invest in season two.

But by the time I’ve finished Heartstopper, I’ve realised why it’s so popular. It’s a comic book fantasy about LGBTQ+ youth, which many people in that age demographic can relate to.

I would recommend this series to people as an easy watch. However, I can’t imagine many people over the age of 25 finding it entertaining.

I feel like children and teenagers need more content like Heartstopper to help them understand the LGBTQ+  community and sexuality.

Photo Credit:  Netflix