Heartstopper: A Lesson in Adaptation and Representation
*mild spoilers ahead
Netflix’s newest addition to their catalog of teen shows is Heartstopper, an eight-part season of thirty-minute episodes that has been an immediate hit. Based on Alice Oseman’s webtoon turned graphic novel of the same name, Heartstopper primarily follows Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring as they become friends and eventually, boyfriends. Heartstopper also tracks the lives of Nick and Charlie’s friends and families, much of which is expounded upon within Oseman’s other works. Much like its source material, the show is designed to melt the coldest hearts, and infuse butterflies into the stillest of stomachs.
Both the source material and show have been clear in their efforts to represent the spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities that exist in our world. Those on-screen and behind the camera are openly members of the LGBTQ+ community, which allows for more authentic storytelling. Instead of depicting a simplistic romance by making both leads gay, Oseman has made the case for meaningful bisexual representation through Nick Nelson’s navigation of sexual orientation. The Pirates of the Caribbean scene speaks for itself.
Moreover, faithfully casting rising star Yasmin Finney as Elle Argent sounds like common sense, but is a step overlooked by many large-scale productions prior to Heartstopper. Casting a Black trans person as a Black trans character maintains the authenticity of Elle as a character, but also sets a positive standard for those watching that identify with aspects of her identity. Heartstopper is a welcome escape from reality, except it isn’t. The realism within the world of the show is what makes it so special. It’s not a paradise free from bigotry and ignorance–it’s a group of friends who are willing to support each other, despite the difficulties they face.
Many predecessors in LGBTQ+ inclusivity in teen shows are rooted in intense subject matter and mature storylines. Shows like Euphoria, Sex Education, and Skins are all sound examples of inclusive characters in mainstream media. However, the adult topics that are incorporated into the queer representation make it less accessible for younger audiences. Without shying away from heavier subject matters, Heartstopper is clear in avoiding exploitative trauma within storylines, and primarily focuses on the positives that come out of a life lived as your true self. There’s hand-holding, hugging, and the occasional kiss. It’s a remarkably genuine portrayal of falling in love when you’re 15, or 16.
The best step that was taken in adapting Heartstopper for Netflix was Alice Oseman working as the series creator. As the creator of Nick, Charlie, and everything else, Oseman is also credited as the creator (and writer) of the Netflix series. The multi-talented mastermind was reportedly on set every day offering advice to cast and crew alike in order to stay true to her vision, and the world that fans of the books knew.
An adaptation into a series allows for Heartstopper to cover more ground. In Oseman’s original works, Nick and Charlie’s friend group largely served as background characters. The show’s four-hour runtime allows the story to expand beyond just Nick and Charlie. Heartstopper offers the point of view of Elle as she starts at her new school, and gives insight into the beginning of her friendship with Tara and Darcy, as well as the experiences of the couple as they navigate going public. Tao, one of Charlie’s closest friends, deals with the changes in his relationships with friends as they grow up and branch out, challenging his protective nature. Nick’s mother, Sarah, is luminously brought to life by Academy Award winner and global sweetheart Olivia Coleman despite limited screen time, as she does her best to support her son.
While the transition from page to screen meant the exclusion of characters like Oliver (Charlie’s younger brother) and Aled (timid friend of Charlie and Tao), it has also meant the creation of new personalities, namely Imogen and Isaac. While Isaac didn’t have a lot to say in season one, he was providing viewers with new book recommendations with every scene, Oseman has tipped at a larger storyline for the ray of sunshine in the future. Imogen adds stakes to Nick’s discovery of self and delivers on dry comic relief. The best part about the changes made for the sake of a smooth transition is that Alice Oseman has been there every step of the way, ensuring that the heart of Heartstopper remained and that all adjustments made sense.
Fortunately, Heartstopper has been renewed for another two seasons, within only a month of the release of season one. Here’s to more happy stories about the myriad of identities that deserve to be told.