Heartstopper’s eagerly anticipated second season is finally here and boy oh boy it does not disappoint.

In case you somehow missed it, Heartstopper kicked up a storm in 2022 with its groundbreaking debut. Based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman, the series follows teenage boyfriends Charlie and Nick as they navigate the woes of new feelings, sexuality and growing up. 

The first season was all about the boy’s budding romance, and Nick (Kit Connor) discovering his sexuality. Season two starts with the gang finishing their exams and popping off to Paris on a summer trip, all the while building up to Nick coming out to the big wide world.

The magic of the first season is still going strong, cartoon doodles sprinkle across the screen. Get ready to feel like you are 16 again.

It’s not just about the boys.

Heartstopper season two courageously represents an increasing number of identities. Tao and Elle’s relationship comes on in bounds as they will-they-won’t-they from start to finish. Isaac (the bookworm) has his own journey of Asexual self discovery and even new teacher Mr. Farouk is a nod to people who discover their sexuality later in life.

Heartstopper portrays the realities of real life in a picture perfect world. 

The finale of season one saw Nick come out to his mum (Olivia Colman) and the boys’ story continues. The bulk of Charlie and Nick’s storyline in Heartstopper season two is Charlie supporting Nick as he prepares himself to come out to everyone else. Some of whom, like his a** of an older brother who has something to say about it.

If you’ve seen the first season then you probably know that the then 18 year old Kit Connor was pressured into coming out following accusations of queer baiting, and this is mirrored in the second season with “I’m bi, actually” seemingly becoming Nick’s catchphrase throughout the show, with memes aplenty hitting socials everywhere.

With the departure of Sebastian Croft from the Heartstopper series there is one character that is perhaps clipped a little too early. Ben, the closeted school boy who mistreated Charlie in season one, becomes something of an outcast in the latest series. With Croft leaving the show it feels a bit like the boy who needed the most help has been abandoned.

Shows like Heartstopper are important. For a teenage audience possibly facing the same problems as the characters, who might not know who to talk to or where to look for help, it gently shows them how to access resources and information that can save lives. 

For an older audience (possibly in the mid 30s realm) it makes you reflect back on those chaotic teenage years and wonder whether a queer positive show like Heartstopper might have changed the way you see yourself growing up.