Picture: Netflix
Heartstopper will be back! It just won’t be with a full fourth season, but rather a wrap-up movie that will tie up all the remaining plot threads and be based on the sixth and final graphic novel.
Earlier this year, Alice Oseman went on the record to say that she was hopeful and doing everything within her power to get the renewal greenlit. Speaking at a public event, the author and showrunner for the Netflix series said, “I’m working very hard behind the scenes to get us a renewal for Heartstopper. It is still ongoing, we don’t have a final answer yet, but there are so many people behind the scenes who are working really hard to make it happen. We’re feeling optimistic, we’re feeling hopeful, and hopefully we’ll be able to share some news about that sometime soon. Fingers crossed. Thank you so much for watching!”
Even in recent days, a return has been teased by show star Kit Connor, saying he’d be more than happy to return for a fourth season.”I’d definitely like to do it as long as it’s done right,” Connor told Vogue, adding, “I just want to make sure that we keep the heart in it.”
Well, Netflix has heard your cries for a continuation in some form and today announced that the series will be concluding with a final movie. The official Instagram unveiled the project for the show with a billboard displayed at London’s famous Liverpool Street station. The announcement also coincides three years after season 1 launched on Netflix on April 22nd, 2022.
Netflix has provided the following logline for the upcoming movie:
“Nick and Charlie are 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, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on. Can first loves really last forever?”
The project, set to commence production in the Summer of 2025, will be directed by Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice, Colette) with lead actors Kit Connor and Joe Locke both returning and in new roles, serving as executive producers.
In a statement, provided by Netflix, Oseman said about the movie order, “I am completely overjoyed that we will get to tell the end of the Heartstopper story. 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.”
Executive producers on the movie include Patrick Walters, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Alice Oseman, and Euros Lyn, with See-Saw Films producing.
Why is Hearstopper returning for a movie rather than a full season 4?
A few things have been working against Hearstopper for some time. The cast is all booked and busy with new projects, the source material that serves as the basis for the movie (and previously season 4) has not yet been fully written, and viewership has been falling each and every season, as seen in the graph below. In our renewal status article published shortly after release, we suggested that, because of the worsening viewership, a wrap-up in some form may come as part of a movie.
Of course, there were also many things working in its favor. It’s scooped multiple awards and is one of Netflix’s biggest LGBTQ+ shows in its library.
Are you glad Heartstopper is coming to a close with a movie, or would you have preferred a full season 4? Let us know in the comments.
Rating: TV-14
