But it has a modern sophistication, too, with its emotionally articulate protagonists, who have a surprisingly mature grasp of sexuality as a spectrum. There are double dates with milkshakes and lots of meaningful hugs. It certainly feels aimed at a young crowd, and if teenagers are watching Euphoria now, then this feels more like a throwback to Byker Grove/ Grange Hill days. I am not quite sure who the target audience is. The adults are practically nonexistent, bar the odd cameo from a parent and Stephen Fry, whose voice appears as the headteacher speaking over the Tannoy. There are minor dramas among Charlie’s friends, but mostly it’s about Charlie and Nick. It looks like Hollyoaks with an art-school twist. Charlie’s friend Elle wonders if she has feelings for their other friend, Tao, and hearts appear in the air. Hands almost touch cartoon lightning crackles between them. It nods to its origins as a graphic novel with moments of animation, particularly when emotions run high. When Ben progresses from treating him coldly to getting a girlfriend then belittling him when they are together, Nick comes to the rescue, and their friendship slowly builds towards something else. (There is much on-screen messaging in this, and watching characters write, delete, rewrite and re-delete their replies is tensely effective.) Charlie has a secret sort-of-boyfriend, Ben, who meets up with him in the library at break time, but who picks on him when anyone else is around.
It is unutterably sweet and wholesome, and by the end of its zippy eight episodes, it leaves the sensation of being on the receiving end of a solid hug.Ĭharlie is already out at school, and has experienced some bullying as a result, but seems to have settled into a supportive friendship group who value their film nights and send each other a lot of DMs.
Adapted by the writer Alice Oseman from her graphic novel series of the same name, it follows 14-year-old Charlie as he develops a crush on popular rugby player Nick, after they bond over whether it is appropriate or not to do your homework on the way to maths. H eartstopper (Netflix) may not quite live up to the dramatic promise of its title, but this adorable teen romance is a heartwarmer, at the very least.