Welcome back to Reel Relationships! This month, we are focusing on Heartstopper, a show targeted at a younger audience. Heartstopper is based on comics by Alice Oseman and follows a group of high schoolers as they navigate coming-of-age experiences such as interpersonal communication, coming out, bullying, mental health, and self-discovery.
Content Warning: Harassment, assault, unsupportive parents, homophobia, eating disorders
Season 1 – Harassment, Consent, & Coming Out
The main character, Charlie Spring, is a student at Truham High. The series begins with Charlie in a relationship with a boy named Ben Hope. Charlie is out at Truham as gay, while Ben is not. While it is entirely understandable to come out on one’s own time, Ben does not treat Charlie well. Their relationship explores themes of consent and boundaries, harassment, and coming out.
From the beginning, their relationship displays negative examples of consent and boundaries. This is seen when Ben kisses Charlie after Charlie clearly says he just wants to talk. Ben then insults Charlie and accuses him of trying to force him to come out, which Charlie is not doing. Charlie reassures him that he would never do that and expresses that he is upset because Ben does not seem to care about him.
It is clear that both boys are going through something, but Ben uses his struggles as an excuse to mistreat Charlie. This continues even after they break up, with Ben harassing both Charlie and Nick, Charlie’s love interest.
After several episodes of ongoing harassment, the situation escalates when Ben tries to confront Charlie after seeing Nick post about their relationship. When Charlie does not respond to his DMs, Ben shows up uninvited to an event, claiming he wants to apologize properly.
He begins by saying he is leaving Truham and that Charlie never has to see him again if he does not want to. He then excuses his past behavior, saying he knows he is “messed up” and needed time. He admits he liked Charlie but claims his parents would never accept him.
Charlie responds by calling out Ben’s behavior, including their first kiss, where Ben forced himself on him. He explains how Ben’s actions damaged his mental health and created a negative inner voice that tells him he does not deserve good things. Charlie acknowledges that Ben realizing his actions were wrong is a step, but firmly states that Ben cannot ambush him into forgiveness just to feel better. He ends by saying he hopes Ben becomes a better person but does not want to be there to witness it.
This scene is a strong example of setting firm boundaries and standing up for oneself. It shows that even if someone has good intentions, they must still take accountability and respect others’ needs.
Additionally, this storyline reflects the difficulty of coming to terms with one’s sexuality because of unsupportive family dynamics. This is symbolized in a scene where Ben backs away from a queer exhibition, despite being physically close to acceptance, highlighting his fear of rejection.
Heartstopper presents this in a meaningful way, showing young viewers that apologies alone do not fix harm. Growth and respect for boundaries are essential.
Season 2 – Learning About Yourself
Learning about yourself is a major part of adolescence, whether it involves career goals or identity. In Heartstopper, discovering one’s sexuality is especially central for characters like Nick and Isaac.
Nick Nelson, Charlie’s love interest, gradually realizes he has feelings for Charlie and identifies as bisexual. Throughout this journey, we see him feeling protective, confused, and curious. He takes online quizzes, watches queer content creators, and explores queer media. He is actively trying to understand himself, despite societal expectations that he would be straight due to stereotypes tied to rugby and masculinity.
This internal conflict comes to a head when Nick and Charlie share their first kiss at Harry’s party. Afterward, Nick abruptly leaves when he hears Harry calling for him, which makes it seem like he regrets the moment. Charlie, feeling unsure, leaves.
However, Nick later goes to Charlie’s house to talk things through. Charlie immediately apologizes, worried he pressured Nick. Nick reassures him by kissing him again and openly sharing that he is having a “proper full-on gay crisis.” He admits he wanted the kiss but needs time to figure things out.
Charlie responds with understanding and gives him space. From there, we see Nick grow more confident and eventually take pride in his identity. This leads to him standing up for himself and Charlie during a tense dinner with his father.
Though Nick becomes more open and tells friends and even posts about their relationship, family struggles remain. His mother is supportive, but his brother and father are not. During a confrontation, Nick comes out to his father, expressing both frustration and pride. This marks a significant shift from his earlier uncertainty.
Isaac Henderson represents another journey of self-discovery. Surrounded by romantic relationships, Isaac begins to feel different. When a potential relationship with James develops, it becomes clear Isaac does not share the same feelings. After they kiss, Isaac becomes emotional, realizing something feels off.
Later, Isaac meets with James and explains that he does not experience attraction the same way. He worries something is wrong with him, but James reassures him.
Isaac’s understanding deepens when he encounters an art piece about aromantic and asexual identity. Through a conversation with the artist, he realizes that this reflects his own experience.
These storylines capture the confusion, discomfort, and eventual clarity that often come with self-discovery
Season 3 – Mental Health and Relationships
Mental health and relationships take center stage in season three. We begin to see Nick increasingly concerned about Charlie, especially how his past with Ben impacts his well-being, including his eating habits.
Nick tries to support Charlie but is unsure how to approach the situation. He seeks guidance, including asking his aunt, a psychiatrist, for advice. She reminds him that he cannot fix Charlie but can support him.
Meanwhile, Charlie begins researching on his own but is initially hesitant to talk about it. Over time, he becomes more open, especially with Nick’s continued support. Eventually, Charlie seeks help, and the show jumps ahead to him receiving treatment.
The long-distance aspect of their relationship is difficult, particularly since Charlie cannot use a phone, but Nick remains supportive. When Charlie later shares his OCD diagnosis, Nick continues to stand by him without judgment.
By the end of the season, Charlie shows significant growth. He advocates for himself, gains confidence, and acknowledges progress even through setbacks. He reduces his therapy sessions with his therapist’s approval.
At the same time, Nick learns the importance of caring for his own mental health. Encouraged by friends, he begins to process his own emotions, highlighting that supporting someone else can also be emotionally taxing.
Tao also explores mental health themes. He opens up about losing his father at a young age and how it affects his relationships. Over time, he grows from insecurity to becoming more secure and supportive.
Throughout the series, Heartstopper emphasizes the importance of communication. Across friendships, family, and romantic relationships, it demonstrates how meaningful communication helps navigate challenges.
This show offers an impactful coming-of-age story, especially for younger audiences learning to navigate relationships and identity. Reel Relationships gives Heartstopper a 4.5/5 stars for its thoughtful portrayal of these themes.
We hope you enjoyed this edition of Reel Relationships and will tune in next month for our blog on the new movie You, Me, and Tuscany! Be sure to also check out our accompanying blog, Beyond the Screen, to learn more about the themes discussed here.
Howie Cable is an intern at Our Voice and a local student. He loves to promote community health education through creative ways, such as this blog.