Heartstopper brought familiar faces back for season two of the series. Inspired by the webtoon by Alice Oseman, the series re-imagines her work and ideas. The new season was released on Aug. 3, introducing new cast members to the franchise. With new characters drawn into the story line, they help develop the story more with character development and inner conflicts.
The new season continues to follow the relationship between Nick Nelson (Kit Conner) and Charlie Springer (Joe Locke), with continual tension and romance between the two of them. The episodes are more than 30 minutes long and there are eight episodes in season two. With there being new friends, the plot helps with expanding on the ideas of the different themes that are displayed throughout the show.
The new members of the story add in representation. Sahir Zahid (Leila Khan), friend of Darcy, Tara, and Elle, brings in representation of plus size characters. Disabilities are also represented, for example there is a character who is in a wheelchair named Felix. The new positive representation created by brand new side characters helps shape the plot.
The plot also introduces Nick’s older brother, David, who comes home from college to spend time with his mother and his brother. With the addition of David, the new character shows the strained relationship between both of them. The older brother illustrates the homophobic face of the family and how homophobia can affect a person who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This issue adds on to the conflict between the both of the characters in the show
There is a contrast established between two of the teachers in season two. The season introduces Youssef Farouk (Nima Taleghani), the physics teacher at Truhan Grammar School. A stark difference is shown between him and Nathan Ajayi (Fisayo Akinade), who is the art teacher at Truhan. Farouk is more direct and strict with the students, while Ajayi is more gentle and easy to talk with. The addition of the difference of both teachers adds more to the plot of the story. Another example of the contrast both the teachers add to the plot is the difference of personalities with Ajayi being soft spoken while with Farouk is aggressive to speak with.
With the new season on Netflix, the series is interesting with the new cast. Heartstopper opens up a conversation about self identity, acceptance in the community, and other heavy topics impacting today’s teens. Adding in the recurring themes and new character casts brings in new hopes in representation into media and into everyday life.The characters in season two differ from season one in that the characters bring in more in depth conversations with inner conflicts.
Seasons one and two of Heartstopper are available to watch on Netflix.
