All eight episodes of Netflix’s Heartstopper season 2 are available to stream now.
Synopsis
In season 2, Nick and Charlie navigate their new relationship; Tara and Darcy face unforeseen challenges and Tao and Elle work out if they can ever be more than just friends. With exams on the horizon, a school trip to Paris and a prom to plan, the gang has a lot to juggle as they journey through the next stages of life, love and friendship.
Review
Today the wonderful Heartstopper returns to Netflix for its second season. There’s no escaping how the series burst out of the gate and won over the hearts of fans. It’s honest portrayal of LGBTQ+ life in the British education system was so perfectly cast and wonderfully written that viewers of all age couldn’t turn away from its uplifting message of love over all.
Adapting the graphic novel series by Alice Oseman, the series managed to keep an optimistic approach delisted refusing to compromise on representing the troubles of adolescence. Add to that a journey of self discovery and the complication of heartbreak and Heartstopper could have been a melodramatic mess. But with its incredible cast and unique flourishes, season 1 quickly found itself beloved by teenagers and hailed by us oldies as a show we’d wished we had when we were discovering our own identities in the 90s and 00s.
So the series returns today with the weight of expectation on its shoulders for season 2. The cast has become household names. Champions for LGBTQ+ youth and icons of pop culture. The series not only has to continue as an engaging story but needs to ensure the meteoric rise of Joe Locke, Yasmin Finney and Kit Conner doesn’t overshadow its deeply important messaging.
The framework of Alice Oseman’s story removed all of the will-they-wont-they anticipation by the end of season one. Nick (Conner) and Charlie (Locke) are together. Very much together. They’re really happy about it too. So whilst potential problems swirl around them, season 2 finds them loved up and in what is – so far – a healthy relationship. Not something we see often in LGBTQ+ relationships on screen. It’s refreshing and downright heartwarming to watch. Okay it could be a little sickly after eight episodes of snogging, celebrating small anniversaries and circling an inevitable conversation about sex. But the show is so tonally perfect that it never becomes an issue.
Oseman’s story is working hard to ensure that audiences know queer people do actually live happy lives. Whilst the bullies, the detractors and the bigots still exist in the world. There are still safe, happy spaces where relationships can flourish.
Season 2 isn’t without its drama however. The boys are building towards their GCSEs and their blossoming relationship is distracting from their education. Families are involved and that naturally causes conflict. Nick is also only out to his mother (the returning and OUTSTANDING Olivia Colman) and there are now other members of the family circling his secret who have their own strong opinions on bisexuality. One of this year’s most awkward scenes comes late in the season at a dinner party for both families. But in typical Heartstopper fashion, Oseman and co. are able to find the lighter side to underpin the weight of the situation.
It’s not all about Nick and Charlie this season though. The wider cast, particularly Elle (Finney) and Tao (William Gao) are given plenty of breathing space to develop. Much of their arc circles where there relationship stands and whether they can find a mutual place to move forwards. It feels oddly grown up but reinforces the message that despite their relatively young age, teenagers are able to make grown up and intelligent decisions when it comes to their direction of travel.
Ultimately there will always be those who choose to rally against a beautiful series like Heartstopper. If anything this show is made to prove to those people these stories deserve to be told. But with the unmistakably mature writing and charismatic acting, it would be hard for any viewer to defy the effectiveness of the show.
Verdict
The second season of Heartstopper quickly reminds viewers why we fell in love with these characters. Heartwarming, life affirming and never one to shy away from difficult conversations. Heartstopper continues to be a show we all need in our lives.
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