Look out for Heartstopper on Netflix

Look out for the first trailers for the new Netflix series, Heartstopper, based on Alice Oseman's novel. Filming began this spring and is expected to finish in the summer, ready for an autumn launch.

In this video, Alice introduces us to Heartstopper, which started as a webcomic, and its path to publication. Alice is now writing the screenplay for the Netflix series.  

Earlier this month, Oseman's novel Loveless won the YA Teen Book Prize - here's Alice reading from Loveless.

About Heartstopper

Heartstopper was originally a series of comics, which launched as a web comic on Tumblr and Tapas. It tells the story of Charlie and Nick, who become friends at an all-boys school in Kent and a romance quickly blossoms.

As they fall head over heels for each other, they find a strong community of allies and friends around them who help them to embrace their authentic selves, but also teach them there is no 'right way' to come out.

The series, which will be produced by See-Saw Films, consists of eight 30-minute episodes, all written by Oseman, and will chart relationship in a story that will tackle topics ranging from mental health to coming out and being your authentic self.

Release date

There's no confirmed release date for Netflix's Heartstopper just yet, but the series started filming last month (April '21) and is expected to be completed by the summer - so it could be screening by this autumn.  The first season will consist of eight 30 mins episodes.

Kit Connor, best known for playing a young Elton John in 2019 biopic Rocketman, will play the role of Nick Nelson in Heartstopper.  His co-star will be newcomer Joe Locke, who was discovered by the production after an open casting call that saw a whopping 10,000 auditions.

Alice Oseman said: "Nick and Charlie have existed as characters for almost a decade, and are two of my most beloved characters, so I was slightly apprehensive about the casting search, but I am so happy and excited that we’ve cast Kit and Joe.

"They’re both so talented, sweet, funny, and smart, and so perfect. It has been such fun getting to know them and welcoming them into the Heartstopper universe, and I can’t wait to see them bring the characters to life on screen."

The rest of the cast include newcomers William Gao, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Cormac Hyde-Corrin, Tobie Donovan, and Rhea Norwood.