The Netflix series Heartstopper includes numerous LGBTQIA+ romances and explores various aspects of belonging to this community. Season 1 primarily focuses on the evolving relationship between Nick and Charlie.
While Charlie is the only openly gay student at school, Nick is generally perceived as the stereotypical cisgender straight white heartthrob—a rugby star with a circle of jock friends.
Nick invites Charlie to join the rugby team as a second-string player, allowing the team to compete against other schools.
As they spend more time together, Charlie’s friends question the authenticity of their friendship, remarking that Nick appears to be the most heterosexual person they’ve ever met and is precisely the kind who bullied Charlie the previous year.
Escape and Representation
The show is known for the comfortable life it offers to people of all ages. “The show allows Nick to be given the respect he deserves when going on his journey of figuring out what Bisexuality means to him, and how complicated that can be.”
The show’s supporting cast adds racial diversity and touches on transgender and non-binary identities.
When I found the show, I was obsessed with its ability to capture so much love as friends, partners, and self. Season two expanded Nick’s arc from self-acceptance to coming out.
Disability and Disclosure
There are many disabilities people are required to disclose in order to be given accommodations in school or the workforce.
After that, there’s no guarantee that people will believe your identity is yours. If you don’t have a visual disability, it is less seen and part of the conversation in an already hushed minority.
The disability community is assumed to be one no one wants. Internalized ableism and stereotypical representation are to blame for that societal view.
LGBTQIA+ Taboo
Queerness is much more taboo to talk about than a disability. Both can invite unwanted questions about your personal life.
There are also harmful stereotypes, including the tropes of the gay best friend and bound wheelchair user. I am not comparing minority groups
Queer coding is a practice of identity erasure. That practice is littered across all genres that comprise the media. The erasure effect the statistics of the gay and bisexual community being at a high risk for eating disorders.
“Heartstopper did a big step forward by having their main gay character experience an eating disorder. But they then took ten gigantic leaps backward with what they did with it. Charlie’s disorder only exists as something for Nick to be a good boyfriend about.
To support and show care and concern for Charlie.” (Tevin, The Wholesome Facade of Heartstopper) To Telvin’s point, Charlie only exists for Nick to be good boyfriend material; Charlie says this in the first episode of Season 2.
“I’m going to do everything I can to ensure Nick doesn’t have to deal with what I did. I can protect him, make sure he never feels pressure, stress, or scared.” (Euros, Heartstopper)
Character Development and portraying Mental Health
This quote sets Charlie as a supportive and caring partner. He puts Nick’s needs before his own.
And that pressure of perfection accentuates Charlie’s symptoms of OCD. He is diagnosed with OCD and Anorexia in Season 3. In that season, he says, “There’s no unawkward way to say it.” Mental health is a heavy topic that society doesn’t address very often.
