10 More Heartstopping Romances
Netflix’s new series based on the first two volumes of Alice Oseman’s graphic novel series, Heartstopper, is must-watch TV. It is currently scoring highly on Rotten Tomatoes and has proven popular with both television critics and streaming audiences alike.
The show tells the story of Charlie and Nick, two British teens who fall in love while attending school. It also touches upon themes of homophobia, coming out, and school bullying within its 8-episode run. ..
-Both are written in simple, easy-to-read language -Both are about everyday life -Both are popular with readers Both “The Catcher in the Rye” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” are popular books that have been written in simple, easy to read language. They are both about everyday life and they are both popular with readers. ..
We’ve added a link to our full thoughts on that series so you can check it out and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with.
Love, Victor
Similarities – Romance
Nick begins to question his sexuality after becoming attracted to Charlie. While he is coming to terms with this, he begins to worry about ‘coming out’ and what this might mean for him. Nick is a young man who is just starting to explore his sexuality and wants to make sure that he does not do anything that could jeopardize his relationship with Charlie. ..
In Love, Victor, a high school student struggles to come out to his friends and family after realizing he is gay. Thankfully, Simon is on his side and the two communicate with one another as Victor tries to adjust to life as a gay teen. This series deserves more attention than I think it has received so if you haven’t seen it yet, this one’s streaming on Hulu and Disney+. It’s definitely one to add to your watchlist.
Young Royals
Similarities – School drama & Romance
In Heartstopper, Nick and Charlie are forced to keep their relationship a secret in order to protect themselves from Prince Wilhelm of Sweden and Simon Eriksson, two students at Hillerska Boarding School. The problems with hiding their relationship are as problematic as you might expect, given the fact that these two people are in a romantic relationship.
The international scandal that erupts when a sex tape involving two young lovers is leaked quickly becomes a battle for their lives. The boys have to deal with the bullying of their peers, as well as the scrutiny of the world. This well-written and gripping story is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the end.
Our thoughts on the Young Royals season are here!
Sex Education
Similarities – Romance and drama
Schools are notoriously bad when it comes to sex education, so thank goodness for Otis Milburn, the main protagonist of this hit Netflix show. Otis is on hand to counsel his fellow students in matters relating to puberty, sex, and relationships. His best friend Eric is an openly gay teenager who experiences his own sex and relationship problems after falling in love with school bully Adam, who hasn’t yet come out of the closet.
This show is more daring and risque than Heartstopper, but it still has a lot of heart. As it deals with sexuality in all of its forms, the show is one that will resonate with many.
Our thoughts on Sex Education in our full season reviews are here!
Skam
Similarities – Romance & LGBTQIA+ themes
This Norwegian teen drama chronicles the lives and loves of students at Hartvig Nissen School. The show deals with a lot of topics that are relevant to teens today, including mental health, relationship difficulties, and homosexuality. It is also very funny and heartwarming.
The third season of “13 Reasons Why” focused on the coming out of Isak Valtersen, a character who is struggling with his sexuality. The show received critical acclaim for its portrayal of the subject, which some viewers may find relatable. ..
It’s A Sin
Similarities – Friendships & Coming Out
Russel T. Davies’s recent Channel 4 miniseries explored subjects that we have seen on television before – homosexuality, Aids, family prejudice – but never in such a devastating and heartfelt way. The series was absolutely heartbreaking and while it features characters who are no longer in school, it still deals with the ‘coming out’ theme that is central to Heartstopper. You can actually watch this one on both Channel 4 and Netflix.
“Heartstopper is a show that is aimed at older teens and adults, so it isn’t one for family viewing!” “While it’s not as innately sweet as Heartstopper, it is still an absolute must-watch if you are of the right age and looking for some quality TV drama.” ..
Sin City is back and better than ever in It’s A Sin, the latest installment of the critically acclaimed series. The cast is stellar, with an all-star lineup that includes Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, and Eva Green. The story follows a group of sinners who are forced to fight for their lives against a religious cult led by a charismatic leader (Green). It’s A Sin is an exciting and thrilling ride that will leave you wanting more. Don’t miss out on this must-see movie! ..
Where Your Eyes Linger
Similarities – Romance
The more LGBTQ-themed television shows there are, the better. This is especially true in countries like South Korea, where there is less acceptance of LGBTQ people than in other parts of the world. Thank goodness then for this trail-blazing K-drama that touches upon the burgeoning relationship between 18-year old high school student Han Tae Joo and his childhood friend Kang Gook. Each episode of this 8-part series is only 10 minutes long, so it’s easy to binge watch if you have access to the streaming website Viki. ..
The story is about a young girl who is forced to leave her home after her family is killed. She must find a new place to live and start over. She does this by going on a journey that takes her to different places and meeting new people. In the end, she finds herself in a better place and has learned some valuable lessons.
Mr. Heart
Similarities – Romance
This K-drama is about two university students, Sang Ha and Jin Won, who have a passion for marathon running – and for one another. They are also in love with each other. This show is actually the follow-up project to Where Your Eyes Linger, so if you enjoyed that show you should definitely check it out.
The 10-minute runtime of each episode is a bit of a detriment to the story, as it could use more time to develop its characters. Despite this, “The King’s Face” is definitely worth checking out and it’s also available on Viki. ..
Special
Similarities – Romance & LGBTQIA+ themes
Ryan O’Connell stars in this Netflix series about a gay man with cerebral palsy. The show is based on his experiences and is set in a high school.
Special effectively explores what it means to be young and gay in a refreshing and real manner, just like that aforementioned show. It’s also very funny so is a worthy antidote to those LGBTQ shows that take an overly serious approach to homosexual themes.
One Day At A Time
Similarities – Romance & friendships
Heartstopper is a reboot of a popular gay teen sitcom that realistically portrays the experiences of gay teens. The show features a non-binary character which is still quite rare on mainstream television. This series can be applauded for its LGBTQ+ representation.
Queer As Folk
Similarities – LGBTQIA+ romance
The series, which ran for two seasons, was created by Davies and starred John Simm and Simon Callow. The show was set in a small town in England and the three main characters were the only openly gay people in the town.
All4’s Queer As Folk was controversial at the time, especially because of its taboo depiction of gay sex between Nathan and Stuart. However, it also offered a frank and realistic depiction of gay life and is still critically appreciated. Like Davies’ later series, this isn’t one for young teens as it takes a more adult approach to young love than Heartstopper. If you’re of the right age, however, this might just blow you away.
- “The Crown” – This show is about the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her court. It’s a bit heavy on the historical detail, but it’s still a great show to watch.
- “The Good Place” – This show is about a group of people who are sent to an afterlife where they are judged by God. It’s a bit dark and serious, but it’s still an interesting show to watch.
- “Stranger Things” – This show is about kids who go on adventures in a small town in Maine during the early 1980s. It’s a bit strange and mysterious, but it’s still an interesting show to watch.
- “House of Cards” – This show is about the life of Frank Underwood, the president of House of Cards. It’s a bit dark and political, but it’s still an interesting show to watch.
- “Veep” – This show is about the life of Vice President Veep Mike Pence. It’s a bit lighthearted and funny, but it also has some pretty serious moments that make it worth watching.
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