JuliaMaia is a writer and filmmaker originally from Brazil. She grew up watching every piece of television and film she encountered from all over the world, which inspired her to come to Los Angeles to study film. She always knew that in order to be happy and fulfilled she had to be surrounded by art. She is always in search of the next film, show or performance that will inspire her. Her background in filmmaking helps her appreciate the technical elements of a film, as well as relish the journey of each story being told. There is not a topic Maia enjoys talking about more than film and the film industry and how it impacts the world and vice versa. The Hollywood Insider is the perfect platform for Maia to participate in the discourse about anything film related with many that , much like herself, love to take part in real important conversations and deeply appreciate the art of telling stories.
Oct 20, 2024
Table of Contents
What sets ‘Heartstopper’ (2022–) apart from any other coming of age is its sensitive handling of the complexities of growing up, the compelling performances, captivating characters, and the visually enthralling style that makes the show so wholesome. And now we finally have a third season of the most heartfelt teen drama.
Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, ‘Heartstopper’ (2022–) is a heartwarming British coming-of-age drama that primarily follows high schoolers Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) as they explore romance, friendship and self-discovery. Praised by both critics and audiences, the series stands out for its positive and nuanced portrayal of young love, especially queer relationships, which are often underrepresented in mainstream media. This makes ‘Heartstopper’ not only a compelling watch but an essential one.
Netflix’s most wholesome show returns for its third season, continuing to deliver the heartfelt, positive energy that brought fans to fall in love with the show. This time, however, the series goes even deeper, exploring the emotional complexities and personal growth of each character and their journeys with greater depth.
Nick and Charlie’s relationship remains strong, but they are confronted with real-world challenges such as mental health struggles, eating disorders, the pressures of coming out, and handling the complexities of young love. A big theme this season is the exploration of mental health. Charlie’s battles with eating disorder, anxiety disorder, and the lingering trauma from past bullying are portrayed with care and sensitivity. At the same time, Nick wrestles with his own anxiety as he tries to support Charlie while navigating his own emotional struggles.
The supporting characters also face significant growth and challenges. Elle (Yasmin Finney) experiences major changes, from switching schools and entering a relationship to flourishing as an artist while confronting self image issues. Tara (Corinna Brown) deals with anxiety over school and her future, while Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) begins to explore their gender identity, eventually embracing being nonbinary. We also see more of Charlie’s older sister, Tori (Jenny Walser), as she embarks on her own mental health journey, grappling with anxiety.
Each of these sensitive topics is handled with grace, care, and a deep sense of responsibility. The series excels in portraying these diverse yet universally relatable experiences without glorifying or oversimplifying them. Watching these young characters support one another and seek help when needed adds a profound emotional depth to the season, making it all the more impactful.
PERFORMANCES
Another standout aspect of the show is the performances. Each actor brings a sense of grace and empathy to their role, making their portrayals both captivating and compelling. Despite most of the cast being young, they demonstrate a deep understanding of the responsibility that comes with portraying these characters and that telling their stories requires a lot of sensitivity – which they deliver with remarkable skill and authenticity.
The production design in ‘Heartstopper’ remains faithful to the previous seasons, with warm and vibrant tones dominating the overall aesthetic. Each character’s unique personality is still beautifully expressed through their individual rooms, as well as their makeup and costumes. The cinematography continues in the same style as the first two seasons, using bright colors and warmth in every scene to enhance the show’s distinct visual appeal. The signature use of animated elements to highlight emotional moments is not only a clever nod to the graphic novels but they also add a whimsical yet moving layer to the storytelling. These visual elements are skillfully woven into the narrative, making the show’s style both effective and engaging.
Although season 3 of ‘Heartstopper’ takes on a noticeably darker tone than previous seasons, it successfully preserves its wholesome essence. The show masterfully balances lighthearted moments with more serious, mature themes, reflecting the characters’ journey through their teenage years into adulthood. Despite the individual (and sometimes collective) challenges the characters face, the characters still keep their relationships at the core.
Longtime fans will appreciate that the series stays true to its authenticity and relatability, resonating with young people—and anyone who has been young really—around the world, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community. This continued commitment makes ‘Heartstopper’ a truly special and impactful piece of LGBTQ+ representation in teen media.
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
JuliaMaia is a writer and filmmaker originally from Brazil. She grew up watching every piece of television and film she encountered from all over the world, which inspired her to come to Los Angeles to study film. She always knew that in order to be happy and fulfilled she had to be surrounded by art. She is always in search of the next film, show or performance that will inspire her. Her background in filmmaking helps her appreciate the technical elements of a film, as well as relish the journey of each story being told. There is not a topic Maia enjoys talking about more than film and the film industry and how it impacts the world and vice versa. The Hollywood Insider is the perfect platform for Maia to participate in the discourse about anything film related with many that , much like herself, love to take part in real important conversations and deeply appreciate the art of telling stories.
JuliaMaia is a writer and filmmaker originally from Brazil. She grew up watching every piece of television and film she encountered from all over the world, which inspired her to come to Los Angeles to study film. She always knew that in order to be happy and fulfilled she had to be surrounded by art. She is always in search of the next film, show or performance that will inspire her. Her background in filmmaking helps her appreciate the technical elements of a film, as well as relish the journey of each story being told. There is not a topic Maia enjoys talking about more than film and the film industry and how it impacts the world and vice versa. The Hollywood Insider is the perfect platform for Maia to participate in the discourse about anything film related with many that , much like herself, love to take part in real important conversations and deeply appreciate the art of telling stories.
JuliaMaia is a writer and filmmaker originally from Brazil. She grew up watching every piece of television and film she encountered from all over the world, which inspired her to come to Los Angeles to study film. She always knew that in order to be happy and fulfilled she had to be surrounded by art. She is always in search of the next film, show or performance that will inspire her. Her background in filmmaking helps her appreciate the technical elements of a film, as well as relish the journey of each story being told. There is not a topic Maia enjoys talking about more than film and the film industry and how it impacts the world and vice versa. The Hollywood Insider is the perfect platform for Maia to participate in the discourse about anything film related with many that , much like herself, love to take part in real important conversations and deeply appreciate the art of telling stories.
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