It seems like a long wait Netflix confirmed it had started production on Heartstopper back in January 2021.

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The LGBTQ+ romantic drama, about two boys who meet at school and quickly start to develop feelings for one another, is based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Alice Oseman.

The graphic novel first found an audience as a Tumblr web comic before making the jump to the printed page.

The story follows Nick Nelson, a popular year 11 student, and Charlie Spring, a highly strung and openly gay over-thinker, who are one day made to sit next to each other, kick-starting a life-changing journey.

Now, we have confirmation of when Heartstopper will finally be hitting the streamer - and it's not far away at all.

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Read on for everything you need to know about Netflix's Heartstopper, including cast, release information and more.

Heartstopper release date

The first season of Heartstopper is now confirmed to be just around the corner, and is set to drop on Netflix at 8am BST on Friday 22nd April 2022.

The season will consist of eight episodes in total, each one clocking in at approximately 30 minutes in length.

Heartstopper cast

The following cast members have been confirmed for Heartstopper.

  • Joe Locke as Charlie Spring
  • Kit Connor as Nick Nelson
  • William Gao as Tao Xu
  • Yasmin Finney as Elle Argent
  • Corinna Brown as Tara Jones
  • Kizzy Edgell as Darcy Olsson
  • Sebastian Croft as Ben Hope
  • Cormac Hyde-Corrin as Harry Greene
  • Rhea Norwood as Imogen Heaney
  • Tobie Donovan as Isaac Henderson
  • Jenny Walser as Tori Spring
  • Fisayo Akinade as Mr Ajayi
  • Chetna Pandya as Coach Singh
  • Alan Turkington as Mr Lange

In April 2021, it was announced that Kit Connor, best known for playing a young Elton John in 2019 biopic Rocketman, will play the role of Nick Nelson in the Heartstopper cast.

Fans of His Dark Materials will also recognise him as the voice of Pan, the daemon of inquisitive young Lyra Belacqua, who takes many forms across the first two seasons.

Connor's co-star in Heartstopper, playing Charlie, will be newcomer Joe Locke, who was discovered by the production after an open casting call that saw a whopping 10,000 auditions.

Nick and Charlie in Heartstopper
Netflix

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 supporting cast for Heartstopper includes Sebastian Croft, known for appearing in the sixth season of Game of Thrones as a young Eddard Stark, but is comprised largely of new talent. The cast includes Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Cormac Hyde-Corrin, Tobie Donovan, and Rhea Norwood.

Heartstopper trailer

You can watch the Heartstopper teaser trailer, full of all the coming-of-age romance expected from the series, right now.

A lengthier trailer that shows off the plot of Heartstopper in great detail was released on Wednesday 14th April 2022.

Catch the clip below.

What is Heartstopper about?

Based on the graphic novels by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper will tell the story of schoolboys Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring, who meet for the first time after being made to sit together in class.

Their friendship quickly becomes something more for openly gay Charlie, but he initially doesn't believe he has a chance with Nick – yet that couldn't be further from the truth.

The series will chart their emotionally charged relationship, in a story that will tackle topics ranging from mental health to coming out and being your authentic self.

Heartstopper will stream exclusively on Netflix from 22nd April 2022. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the best series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide.

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