Netflix's Heartstopper: A New TV Show Like No Other

Mihita Bose

Netflix’s newest teen queer show is a step forward in the media industry. Past generations of the LGBTQ+ community grew up with purely straight representation in the media. Having characters with diverse sexual-orientations and gender identifications, broadens the impact of media. It allows young children to see that everyone is different, and that’s okay.

What makes this new show even more remarkable, is the positive vibe of the first season. The show tackles heavy and weighed topics such as homophobia, transphobia, questioning sexuality, bullying, coming-out, drifting away from friends, and self-loathing. Heartstopper did not sugarcoat the difficulties faced by LGBTQ teens, but at the same time, the overall tone of the show was lighthearted and sweet. It gave the readers the chance to fall in love with relatable characters with flaws who are still figuring things out while dealing with their personal problems, but who somehow manage to be there for each other. Every character had flaws that were showcased and accepted.

There were specific aspects of this show that were rare and refreshing to its viewers to see. For one, there was a scene where (spoiler alert!) Nick Nelson cried a bit. It is rare to see pieces of media where boys are allowed to cry and show emotion without being criticized for it. Nick was questioning his sexuality and there was support given to him. There was representation of homophobia in school and how it can affect the queer community. The show portrayed feelings of worthlessness amongst the teenagers and eating disorders.

Above all, the show is a sweet love story about two boys who help each other to find themselves and make each other smile. It is a heartwarming show that showcases realistic problems faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community.