With the new Netflix adaptation of Heartstopper, we thought it’d be a wonderful idea to sit down and chat about Heartstopper this week! Both of us reread Volumes 1 — 4 of Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, and just finished watching the Netflix adaptation. So make yourself a warm cup of tea, and get cozy! This does get into some spoiler-y content, so consider yourself warned 🙂
Q: Who are your favorite characters?
Cossette: It’s no surprise that I absolutely adore Charlie and Nick, but I just love all of them, really.
Caitlyn: I really do love them all, they’re such likable characters, but I have a huge soft spot for Nick. He’s like a puppy and I adore him. Also shoutout to show!Isaac for always having a book with him, that was very relatable, I felt that on a personal level.
Cossette: Speaking of puppies, I adore Nellie. Just wanted to give a quick little shoutout to the cutest pup!
Q: What were some things that you liked better in the show? What were some things you liked better in the books?
Cossette: I honestly think that this was a perfect adaptation. I kept telling all my friends that the actors were exactly how I pictured the characters. I’ve seen a couple twitter threads comparing shots from the show to scenes from the graphic novels and I just love how this adaptation perfectly encompasses the cozy vibe from Heartstopper.
Caitlyn: I agree, I thought that the casting was so well done and the actors really fit their roles so well. The show brought me so much joy! I binged the entire thing one night after I had read all four graphic novels and I simply couldn’t stop watching. I definitely should’ve gone to sleep, but I was having such a good time that I didn’t want to.
Cossette: I think a large part of why Heartstopper worked as well as it did was the cast. Not only are they incredibly talented, but just the fact that they were all younger actors — and not actors in their 20s, was something really lovely and refreshing to watch. It felt like we were watching proper teenagers rather than adults playing teenagers. The little references, the keysmash, the music — it all felt very youthful and genuine.
Caitlyn: Exactly! One of my biggest pet peeves is when there are shows about teenagers, especially kids in the 14-16 range, and it’s just obvious that grown adults are playing these characters and the show runners thought that by putting less makeup on them, we’d believe that this 29 year-old is 14. There was never a moment in Heartstopper where I didn’t believe that I was watching a series about a group of 14-16 year-olds. Everything felt really organic.
Cossette: I’ve been listening to the Heartstopper playlist while I work (one of the many pros to working at home), and I must say, it’s so good. Every song on there is a banger, and simply is just so perfect. The vibes of Heartstopper are immaculate.
Caitlyn: Every single time a new song was played I found myself saying, “Oh, this song is so good!” The soundtrack really fit the whole vibe of the show, and I know I’ll be listening to those songs on repeat!
Cossette: I absolutely loved the little doodles too — the zaps of electricity, the little leaves, or butterflies or flowers that are crucial in the Heartstopper comics. It’s just so lovely to see all the details! Speaking of details, Mr. Ajayi’s pride pin in every scene made me so emotional. I wish I had a teacher like Mr. Ajayi back in high school.
Caitlyn: All the doodles, drawings, etc. really brought the graphic novels to the screen in the most lovely way! I got so excited every time I saw one of the little doodles that are so prominent in the graphic novel. One of my absolute favorite little details was the photo that Nick gives Charlie for his birthday. The homemade frame was so adorable and I just love that Nick chose a photo where he is looking at Charlie, it’s just the sweetest!
Cossette: I really loved the addition of the two new characters — Imogen, and Isaac. While I did miss Aled, I understood why he was cut out! I’m hoping to see more of both Imogen and Isaac next season (I’m certain there’ll be a Season 2 — We’re manifesting). I loved how supportive and perceptive Isaac was, and as Caitlyn said, very relatable with always having a book in his hands (especially during sporting events).
Caitlyn: Truly obsessed with show!Isaac. As Cossette said, I loved how supportive and perceptive he was. He was also so funny. One of my favorite Isaac scenes (besides when he was reading A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder at school because same bestie), was when Isaac, Elle, and Tao were sleeping over at Charlie’s house and they’re playing Monopoly. Tao, Charlie, and Elle are arguing over the goals of the game, and it looks like Isaac is asleep, but then he eventually just kicks the board over with a big smile on his face. That scene cracked me up, and I do wish that we got to see more of him because I just loved him.
Cossette: I’m a sucker for little details and easter eggs, and so I also really loved that Charlie’s bookshelf is full of Alice Oseman books, and at one point, one of the characters was holding up Radio Silence! Oh, and of course, the train scene where Alice Oseman was sketching Nick & Charlie? So cute!
Caitlyn: There were so many scenes that I absolutely loved, but I think one of my favorite things in general was every time Nick and Charlie hugged. Their hugs just filled me with so much joy. The way that Nick would lunge at Charlie and hold him so tightly, then tuck his head into Charlie’s neck. It’s just the absolute sweetest thing and every time all I could think was that those two boys deserved all the love and happiness in the world.
Cossette: It’s really hard for me to pick a favorite scene, but something that I absolutely adored was Nick’s coming out scene. I just loved Nick’s storyline so much. From him figuring out he was bisexual — the Mamma Mia and The Pirates of the Carribean references had me cackling. It’s truly the bisexual experience. Nick’s scene with his mom was so sweet, and I was in tears by the time I was done with the episode. Just so well done.
Caitlyn: As I said before, I loved so many scenes, so it’s really so hard to pick a favorite — but one that I think was so beautifully done was the scene where Nick came out to his mom. That’s also one of my favorite scenes in the graphic novels and I think that it was so true to the original scene and really heartwarming. I cried when I read it, and when I watched it.
Cossette: Something that I also really love is that Darcy and Tara both say that they’re lesbians. The fact that they say the word lesbian, on screen, several times, is so wonderful and refreshing.
Caitlyn: I loved Darcy and Tara and just how sweet their relationship was. The scene where they’re openly dancing and kissing and just being adorable teenagers in love at Harry’s (derogatory) party was so refreshing to see. I loved that they were in their own world, just being themselves. The lighting during that scene especially was magical, and it was so cute to see Nick be so happy for them.
Cossette: While I do think this was a pretty perfect adaptation, I do wish that there were a few things that were different. I was pretty disappointed with Tao, up until his apology in Episode 8. In fact, I texted Mansi (Hi Mansi! Thanks for giving us the idea to do a Cozy Convos Heartstopper post!) about how upset I was with Tao — I understand being upset that your friend seems to be abandoning you for a new relationship, but I was really frustrated and upset that Tao managed to turn Charlie and Nick’s relationship into something about himself. Like yes, I’m sure being the last one to know something about your friends is an awful feeling, but this isn’t the same as something trivial? Nick wasn’t out; it’s different. I did really appreciate Tao’s apology, and fierce protectiveness for his friends; I just wish that he’d handled that better. One of my favorite things about Heartstopper, both the show and the graphic novels, is how carefully it addresses being closeted. Ben Hope isn’t awful because he’s closeted; he’s awful because he’s cruel and insecure. Similarly, I really appreciated the reassurance to Nick that he didn’t have to come out if he wasn’t ready. I loved the explicit distinction between Charlie & Nick’s situation, versus Ben & Charlie’s. Heartstopper treats people who are closeted with love, respect and care, and I just appreciate that so much.
Caitlyn: I do agree that Tao’s situation in general could’ve been handled better. I could understand and sympathize when it was just him being a protective friend and not wanting the group to grow apart, because it’s always a really sucky feeling to feel like you’re being left behind by your friends. But, it was also frustrating that he was so reluctant to see the good in Nick. I get being productive, and I think it’s good that Charlie had such a protective group of friends in his conor after all of the bullying he dealt with after coming out, but I do wish that Tao had tried more. And yes, I agree Tao making Charlie and Nick’s relationship about him and his feelings instead of Charlie and Nick’s feelings was really bothersome.
This is 100% a little nit-picky thing, but Tao’s hair gave me huge Duloc Dancer in Shrek the Musical vibes and it distracted me quite a bit.
Cossette: I also wish that Nick’s mates weren’t as awful as they are. In the comics, they’re a lot more welcoming and accepting, and I wish we’d gotten to see more of Nick’s support system as well.
Q: What do you hope will happen next season?
Caitlyn: One of my favorite parts of the graphic novels is the class trip to Paris, so I’m really hoping to see that in season 2 — we’re manifesting season 2! I love the whole “Paris Squad” and how they all really bond during that trip.
Cossette: I’m very, very hopeful that there’ll be a Season 2 — and maybe even a Season 3, to finish out the books! I just finished my reread, and their Paris trip was so lovely. I know this season alluded to some of Charlie’s mental health struggles, so I’m also excited to see that happen next season and for him to get the help that he needs.
That’s all for today, friends! Have you watched Heartstopper? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!
