Editor’s Note: This article mentions sensitive topics of mental health related to the show.
Just in time for the season of jump scares, pumpkins, and black cats, the Heartstopper season 3 premiere on Netflix is here. It certainly contains none of the above hallmarks of the season but rather focuses on love, teen angst, and Border Collies. The third season of this coming-of-age teen drama show, which left watchers waiting for over a year, came out on Oct. 3.
“I really love season three, but season one will always have a special place in my heart, just because of the cheesy love story trope,” said OH senior Tennille Johnson. “But I think they outdid themselves with season three.”
The show Heartstopper has been around since 2022 and has sparked interest in many teenagers and young adults worldwide, including those here at OH. It revolves around an LGBTQ+ romance and addresses issues such as homophobia, coming out, bullying, and mental health.
OH senior Audrey Jomant said, “I think it’s definitely more mature than it was in the first season, obviously, since they’re older and just like growing with the actors and characters.”
The show’s third season delves deeper into sensitive yet significant topics introduced in the beginning seasons. As the characters reach their junior and senior years of high school, these issues grow increasingly evident, shining a realistic light on what some teenagers go through daily.
“It’s doing a lot for people who are getting publicity or people who have anorexia or any disorder that’s mental health-related,” said OH senior Trey Williams. “I think they should make more seasons than four.”
The show revolves around two specific characters, Nick and Charlie, who have an unexpected romance that delves into identity and coming out. Many teenagers believe each separate character and love trope accurately portrays important issues concerning self-discovery during youth.
“I mean [the characters] are supportive of each other. They’re all great friends and are all accepting of each other regardless of what it is,” Williams said.
Moving on is inevitable, and the last episode of season three unveils this motif, sending a significant message to viewers and improving upon the show’s past views, such as in season one, when it was said to be just some corny love story.
“I loved it, and I think that what they cover a lot more heavy topics than they did in the original season one, which felt like such a cute love story,” Johnson said. “And then, season three and two, they got more into it.”
Although at times unrealistic, the incredible development of the plot and characters as they grow older and as the story progresses takes a fundamental approach to topics that should be discussed more so teenagers worldwide can have their voices heard.
This is my first year as a staff reporter on 42Fifty and I am a senior at OHS. I am also involved in NEHS, Best Buddies, and Reading Corner at the school and in my free time I volunteer at the Naperville Area Humane Society. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
