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BACK IN 2022, Netflix audiences were introduced to Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke), the boys at the centre of the series Heartstopper.
The coming-of-age tale was based on the webcomic and graphic novel by Alice Oseman, and tells the story of Nick and Charlie’s unlikely friendship turned love.
The first series was a massive success, and was followed up by two other series. But after series three, there was no news about what was to come – would a fourth season be on the way?
The answer was no – instead, we’re getting a film: Heartstopper Forever.
Is the same team working on it?
Yes, don’t worry – the film is written by Heartstopper creator, executive producer, and graphic novelist Alice Oseman. Plus, its stars Connor and Locke are now serving as executive producers for the first time, which means they have even more of a say in their characters’ trajectory.
There is one change, though - Olivia Colman won’t be returning as Nick’s mum, Sarah Nelson. She’s been replaced by the also brilliant Anna Maxwell Martin (Motherland).
The film’s director is Paul “Wash” Westmoreland, who directed the film Still Alice.
So what’s happening in the film?
When Heartstopper left off in season three, Nick and Charlie were madly in love.
Now, Nick is preparing to leave for university and Charlie is finding a new level of independence at school. So as you can imagine, the pair are struggling to figure out what the reality of a long-distance relationship will mean for them.
We’ve also watched their friends deal with things in their lives like being transgender, being asexual, starting new relationships, and being non-binary. So there’s loads to explore as we prepare to bid adieu to them all.
We’re told by Netflix:
Doubts take hold, and their relationship faces its biggest challenge yet. Meanwhile, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on. Can first loves really last forever?
What have the stars got to say?
The show’s built up a huge fanbase and gotten a massive amount of critical acclaim, so understandably the team are all excited about it returning. In addition, lots of fans have credited it with helping them to understand their sexuality, identity and/or queerness.
Kit Connor told Netflix:
“These characters have meant a lot to us over the years. As EPs [executive producers], it feels like we can really say goodbye to them in a way that feels the most right. It is bittersweet, but it is also a really nice way of ending it.”
And Joe Locke said: “This show has meant so much to me in my life. I’ll always carry that with me.”
The series’ writer and creator Alice Oseman told Tudum:
The movie will be an exploration of time, memory, love, pain, the changing of the seasons, endings and beginnings, and the core element of Heartstopper: the ordinary magic of our everyday lives.
Oseman had originally expected the series to run for four seasons, so that the graphic novel series could be fully adapted. Finally, we’ll get to see it all end on screen.
It’s important to add too that the Heartstopper stars have had some exciting times themselves since the series last aired. You might have seen Connor in Alex Garland’s Warfare, and he also starred on Broadway in Romeo and Juliet. Locke was in the series Agatha All Along.
When can I watch Heartstopper Forever?
You can watch Heartstopper Forever on Netflix now.
All images courtesy of Netflix.
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