“Heartstopper” is a coming of age drama about two high school teenagers in the United Kingdom. The newest season dropped in early October and came out with rave reviews.

This season explores several topics such as coming out to family members, self-harm, intimacy and explores the topic of eating disorder rehabilitation. In addition to those topics, it discusses each theme with precariousness and respect and not just as a throwaway joke.

The age range for this show is middle to early high schoolers, but many young adults also love the show. 

“I remember growing up in a time where a show like this could never happen without wide-scale pushback, where a same-sex relationship was relegated to offscreen character development or simply holding hands,” said avid “Heartstopper” fan Michelle Cates. “So, in 2024, it is so incredibly healing and important seeing two characters have the ability to love out loud and in public.”

Cates has watched “Heartstopper” since it first came out in 2022. Her roommate introduced her to the show.

“One aspect that I particularly love is that this show does not engage with needless drama and excess pain to the characters. In many shows, the gay characters go through serious bullying, self-harm, drug use, and/or needless self-destructive tendencies,” said Cates. “Unfortunately, that is the reality for lots of adult gay people, but I believe it to be necessary to show happy gay relationships without needless pain.”

The show does have its critics, mostly concerning how simple and the childish nature of the dialogue. However, the show is geared towards tween to teenage kids, and its simplicity and vulnerability can be extremely poignant.

“Heartstopper” is available to stream on Netflix.