Note from Marvelous Geeks’ Team: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the [series/movie/etc] being covered here wouldn’t exist. We stand with and for them.
Like its glowing debut, Heartstopper Season 2 is a triumph in storytelling and a wholesome showcase full of beautifully poignant queer romances. It’s a celebration of young love in all its stages—the mess and the joys of it all, coupled with gorgeous exhibitions of endearing friendships at its crux.
It’s an exploration of capturing the light in the darkness and how love can overcome a plethora of heartaches. Alice Oseman’s series is an artistic exploration of humanity and all its complexities through bright glints and sensible forms. The world can always use more joy—queer joy especially, and Heartstopper consistently delivers this with every episode, even when it ventures into complicated territories and heavy topics.
Charlie and Nick’s hugs are of utmost importance on Heartstopper, and Season 2 brings them to new heights with angsty, beautifully profound moments. Kit Connor and Joe Locke are better than before, with their sweet chemistry bursting through every scene to ensure how ardently Nick and Charlie care for one another. Their moments in the show’s sophomore season are exquisitely tender and vulnerable, allowing the characters to grow individually and as a couple. How their story unfolds and where we leave them are both rewarding and endearing.
The same can be said about various love stories throughout the season, some of which fans deserve to watch without any spoilers. Heartstopper Season 2 cares about its audience and, more importantly, the authentic stories it wants to tell through its characters. Thereby, every journey, not just Charlie and Nick’s, is thoughtful and packed with careful inquiries. In more ways than one, this series acts as a brilliant character study that teen shows often neglect in favor of overblown drama. That’s thankfully not the case with Heartstopper because Oseman cares prodigiously for these characters, ensuring that each storyline has the development it deserves.
The nuances in the series are no small feat and a massive accomplishment in crafting realistic characters whose journeys will undoubtedly inspire and bring warmth to viewers. The characters and their respective actors each bring something tremendously layering to the new season, adding more profundity to their feelings through organic arcs. As seen through the trailers, the Parisian narrative is très magnifique—as close to perfect and achingly romantic as it gets. Olivia Colman also brings another stunning performance through such subtlety that it remains a gift to the actress’ craft that fits seamlessly with the show’s themes of character agency.
There’s a perfect montage to a Taylor Swift song that makes for one of the loveliest scenes of the year for how it encapsulates the pure, unyielding love flowing through the characters. In essence, Heartstopper Season 2 emphasizes the importance of agency and communication. It ensures each character harbors a safe space to be themselves—unapologetically, loudly, and happily. The season, like its first, is a happy place even when there are complications. Life is anything but easy for teenagers, yet the show continues to show that it can be beautiful when people in your corner care wholeheartedly. It’s about showing up and standing steadfast when someone else is crumbling, reminding viewers of how enormously healing it can be for people to simply feel revered. The season improves the show’s heart and soul, making its sophomore run another thrilling success.
Heartstopper Season 2 is coming to Netflix on August 3.
Official Poster Credit: ©Netflix