84 Days, 23 Hours, 21 Minutes, 35 Seconds
Prepare to say “hi” to Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) and Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) one last time. Fan-favorite romance Heartstopper will conclude with an upcoming feature film titled Heartstopper Forever. On the fourth anniversary of Season 1’s release, Netflix announced that Heartstopper Forever will premiere on July 17. Glimpse the Truham-Higgs squad on the set of the finale film above.
The film stars Connor and Locke (who also serve as executive producers for the first time) and is written by Heartstopper creator, executive producer, and graphic novelist Alice Oseman. See the Heartstopper Forever team celebrate the end of production below.
Heartstopper Forever picks up after the swoony Season 3 finale, which saw Nick, Charlie, and many of their friends take their relationships to a new level. “The movie will be an exploration of time, memory, love, pain, the changing of the seasons, endings and beginnings, and the core element of Heartstopper: the ordinary magic of our everyday lives,” Oseman tells Tudum. Can first loves really last forever? Keep reading as Oseman previews what lies in store for Heartstopper Forever.
Alice Oseman attends the Heartstopper screening at Picturehouse Central Cinema in London, England
Nick, Charlie, and all their friends’ stories are about to come to an end onscreen. What do you hope to accomplish with the movie?
Alice Oseman: On a basic level, of course, I want the movie to be a beautiful and emotional send-off for the Heartstopper story — celebrating what Heartstopper means to people, while offering a chance to say goodbye to our beloved characters, and many hints of what’s to come in the characters’ future lives.
On a slightly deeper level, I think this movie will explore what makes love survive, or what elevates it, or deepens it. At 18 and 17, Nick and Charlie are hurtling towards their adult lives. Many teenage relationships don’t survive that pivotal moment of change. Are Nick and Charlie a forever love? If they are, why? I want the movie to capture this transitional moment for them as a couple — from teens to adults, from teen romance to forever love, from past to future. And in doing so, get to the heart of what teenage love can become as adolescence becomes a memory, and what teenage love can mean for people in the overall picture of their lives. An exploration of time, memory, love, pain, the changing of the seasons, endings and beginnings, and the core element of Heartstopper: the ordinary magic of our everyday lives.
What does it mean to you to see all the positive fan responses to the news?
Oseman: The excitement and joy from Heartstopper fans is such a huge part of why we are still able to tell this story, years later. I’m so grateful to have such a passionate, supportive audience. I always have so much fun interacting with the Heartstopper community. I was pretty nervous about this announcement, but I shouldn’t have been, because the response has been amazing! I’ve always felt so much warmth and positivity from the Heartstopper community, and I’m so, so thankful for that.
What do you have to say to fans who are surprised Heartstopper is ending with a movie instead of another season?
I totally understand if fans are a little apprehensive. It’s a big change from what we know. It’s something new and unknown, and yes, the runtime will be less than a TV season. Even I needed some time to process and come to terms with the change. But once I began to see the entire vision, I knew it would be something even more beautiful than a regular season could achieve. We are feeling very ambitious about what is possible in a movie format. With no need for end-of-episode cliffhangers or a new twist every episode, every part of Heartstopper can be elevated to a higher quality to create something memorable, sophisticated, and atmospheric.
The last time we saw the characters, they were all taking new steps in their relationships and lives, from exploring physical intimacy to university prep. What can you say is ahead for them as they mature?
Oseman: The most pressing issue for Nick and Charlie, as we know from the end of Season 3, is that Nick will soon be leaving for university, effectively making Nick and Charlie a long-distance couple. For a teenage relationship, this is a pretty huge hurdle to overcome. Each of them has some conflicting feelings about this development. Nick isn’t sure who he is without Charlie, and Charlie is nervous about being left behind. They have some work to do — both on their relationship and individually.
Heartstopper’s other protagonists are facing similar conundrums about their futures. Because it’s not just the relationships that are being pulled in different directions, but the friendships too. I don’t want to tease too much more yet …
The movie will be based on your upcoming sixth and final Heartstopper graphic novel. What can you tell us about that yet-to-be-released book?
Oseman: When I started planning this final book, I told myself I was allowed to include anything and everything I’d always wanted to explore with these characters. I’m proud to say that’s what I’ve been doing. Among many things, it explores Charlie finding a new sense of confidence and independence, and healing from some of his old demons. Meanwhile, Nick has a bit of a crisis about his future, influenced by memories of his past.
Are there any characters or storylines you want to tease for now?
Oseman: I’ve been uploading the Heartstopper Volume 6 comics free-to-read on their usual webcomic platform, if you’d rather not wait for the book publication. So, if you’re looking for hints about what might happen in the movie, I’d recommend checking those out. Of course, there will be some tweaks for the movie, as there always are in adaptations … But I’ll leave those a surprise for now.
The film will wrap up Nick and Charlie’s journey. After Season 3, the couple is inseparable. But, with Nick preparing to leave for university and Charlie finding new independence at school, the reality of a long-distance relationship begins to weigh on them. Doubts take hold, and their relationship faces its biggest challenge yet.
Meanwhile, Nick and Charlie’s friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on.
Oseman is the writer of the romance film, as well as an executive producer, alongside Patrick Walters, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Euros Lyn, Locke, and Connor. See-Saw Films produces.
“I am completely overjoyed that we will get to tell the end of the Heartstopper story,” Oseman said when the title was first announced. “I’m so grateful to everyone who has worked hard to make this possible and to the incredible fans of Heartstopper for your patience and passion. I cannot wait to bring this story to a magical conclusion.”
The main Heartstopper cast returns for the finale film:
Heartstopper Forever welcomes Anna Maxwell Martin and Derek Jacobi to the cast as well. Read more about their casting, only on Tudum.
You’ll see Nick, Charlie, and their pals when Heartstopper Forever debuts on July 17.
Until then, keep coming back to Tudum for more official cast announcements and the rest of your Heartstopper Forever news, as we celebrate the final chapter of this love story.
