(courtesy IMP Awards)
SNAPSHOT
Heartstopper Forever, written by Oseman and based on the highly anticipated final installment of their graphic novel series, bids farewell to a group of friends who have won viewers’ hearts since the series debuted in 2022. “Heartstopper starts like a fairy tale and a bit idealistic, in a beautiful way that we all love,” says Oseman. “But in the film, we’re taking a slightly grittier look at romance and what it is to be in a long-term relationship. I find that fascinating and exciting.”Charlie may be a self-proclaimed optimist, but change is hard, and maturing in tandem with your high school love is no easy feat. As you can see in the trailer, Charlie, Nick, Tao (William Gao), Elle (Yasmin Finney), Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), Tara (Corinna Brown), Imogen (Rhea Norwood), and Isaac (Tobie Donovan) each tread new waters and embark on bold adventures in the film concluding the beloved series. (courtesy TUDUM by Netflix)
When I was growing up in a sort of conservative Christian household and I realised I was gay, I honestly wondered for a good many years if I would ever have any of the good things in life.
It seemed impossible; after all, the theology of the Baptist church in which my dad was a minister (he was one of the good guys and handled my coming out beautifully, and society as a whole said I wouldn’t get to enjoy any of the things my straight friends did including finding that special someone and falling in love.
Well, they were clearly wrong because not only am I coming up to 18 years with the same wonderful, caring man who I loved more than life itself, but I am one of millions enjoying the romantic gay bliss of the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman.
The graphic novels were and are a delight of the heart, and the series on Netflix has more than done justice to them, and while I will be very sad to say goodbye to the stories of Heartstopper, it looks like they will go out with just as much heart as they began, affirming once again that the catchphrase “love is love” is not just something to say but a truth that real life cannot deny.
Heartstopper Forever drops on Netflix on 17 July.