Heartstopper Forever: The Final Chapter
Netflix's quietly revolutionary queer coming-of-age drama, Heartstopper, wraps up with a feature-length film, Heartstopper Forever. The series, adapted from Alice Oseman's graphic novels, follows Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) as they navigate love, homophobia, and adulthood. The finale focuses on the now 17- and 18-year-old characters facing university, gap years, and impending adulthood, with Nick struggling with alcohol dependency and Charlie grappling with jealousy.
Behind the Scenes: A Sweaty House Party
During a seven-week shoot at Bray Studios in Berkshire, the cast filmed a house party scene. Director Wash Westmoreland kept the energy high, shouting, "You're having the time of your lives, remember!" The scene required multiple takes, with Connor and Locke later admitting to feeling frazzled. Connor noted the emotional weight of saying goodbye: "There have been moments where I've had flutters of emotion. These characters have meant a lot to us."
Life-Changing Roles
Locke, who had never acted before Heartstopper, said the show changed his life. "I wouldn't be able to live in London at 22 without it. My life would be completely different." Connor, also 22, echoed the sentiment: "Obviously, I've grown up in these new circumstances. They've given me a different perception of myself." Both actors have since taken on other roles, with Locke joining the Marvel universe in Agatha All Along.
More Sex and Realism
The film includes more explicit scenes than previous seasons, including sexual activity on a pier and mutual masturbation. Connor joked, "If I'd had my way, I would have had Nick and Charlie cheating on each other. Because young people do that and don't necessarily need to be villainised for it." Locke added, "It would be weird if we hadn't shown it. Just because our show is a more earnest version of queer representation doesn't mean that sex shouldn't be shown." Filming these scenes was awkward, with Connor noting the silent room full of middle-aged men and Locke mentioning the camera and "cock sock."
Executive Producers and Declining Viewership
Connor and Locke served as executive producers on the film, giving them more say in script edits. Connor emphasized that Heartstopper "isn't just Alice's any more. It's everyone's." Reports suggested viewership for season three dropped about 30% compared to season two, but Locke bristled at the idea of declining interest: "I don't know how true that figure is, but the Heartstopper audience has been loyal throughout." He added that the show's presence on Netflix is crucial for queer audiences in countries where they can't be openly LGBTQ+.
Political Escapism
Heartstopper has always felt political by spotlighting queer representation. In the film, Elle (Yasmin Finney) gives an impassioned speech on trans rights. Finney said on set, "Heartstopper is a form of escapism for queer people. It's not about: 'Look what's happening in the world, feel sorry for us.' It's more: 'This is what queerness can be.' But I think it's just as important to have realism as it is to have escapism."
Looking Back and Moving On
Nick and Charlie reminisce about their younger selves in the film. Locke advised his younger self: "Just enjoy it. It's a very weird and strange and stressful thing, and I know I got in my head about it." Connor added, "It shouldn't be scary. Heartstopper is one of the more beautiful things you could ever do. So embrace the beauty of it." Their final scenes together were shot at Burnham Park in Buckinghamshire, a location that appeared throughout the series. Connor reflected, "This press tour is a way of telling your brain that: 'Oh yeah, it's not actually done yet.' But after this, then I think it may hit us. That's it, school is out."
