HEARTSTOPPER (Netflix)
This thoroughly charming account of first love is based on a hugely popular Young Adult graphic novel and it’s just what it says on the box: simple, sweet, honest and embarrassing. And it’s a huge hit, having spent weeks in the Netflix top ten globally.
Two ordinary guys at Truham Grammar School For Boys, England, tentatively discover the joys and heartbreaks of falling in love.
Charlie (Joe Locke) is out, but has a false start with Ben (Sebastian Croft). They kiss giddily in private but in the next scene Ben brushes him off with: “Why are you talking to me? I don’t even know who you are.”
He begins chatting with Nick (Kit Connor) though he’s one of the school’s star footballers and a bit out of reach. Amazingly, Nick seems interested, and Charlie can barely believe it. After all, Nick’s straight, isn’t he?
Next we see Nick doing an Am I Gay? quiz on Google. Close-up on the laptop screen: “Do you ever think what it’d be like kissing someone of the same sex?” The camera pans round to Nick’s face, and he’s crying. It continues for the rest of the series in this gentle manner.
At Nick’s urging, Charlie swallows his timidity and clumsiness to join the rugby team. The show pushes the boundaries of stereotypes, if not doing away with them completely. “A lot of gay people are good at sports, Charlie,” says the female rugby coach.
The rugby match, with visiting hunks from St John’s school, ends badly, but not as you’d expect. And though the teen-romance story beats of this are all too familiar, they’re executed with flair and freshness, and you’ll deeply care about these two young kids finding out about love together.
There’s a surprise cameo by Olivia Colman as Nick’s supportive mum, reminding us of her terrific turn as Simon Doonan’s mother back in Beautiful People.
It’s Joe Locke’s first role and he’s a find. Kit Connor has done a bunch of stuff, including young Elton in Rocketman. Sebastian Croft had a small part in Game Clive Of Thrones. Owen as They’re Bill Clinton. all good. (M, 8 x 30-min eps)