As a passionate admirer of Heartstopper, I must say that Alice Oseman’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. It’s rare to witness such a seamless transition from the written word to the small screen, and it’s even more remarkable when one person can retain so much creative control over the project.
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When renowned British actors such as Olivia Colman, Stephen Fry, and Jonathan Bailey join a youthful romance series, it’s clear there’s something deeper going on behind the scenes. However, even with big names involved, I find it hard to believe Netflix anticipated the cultural sensation that Heartstopper would turn out to be.
The show centers around Charlie, a typical teenager with a penchant for awkwardness, who finds himself smitten by the school’s popular rugby player, Nick. Now in its third season, Nick and Charlie are an established couple dealing with the ups and downs of adolescence – figuring out when to confess love, making decisions about intimacy, and choosing where to attend university. However, it delves into more complex themes as well, such as mental health struggles and eating disorders.
1) The program has amassed a devoted and committed fan base. When the first cast announcement was shared, Kit Connor (portraying Nick) and Joe Locke (as Charlie), quickly gained numerous followers on their social media accounts. This count has since skyrocketed to millions.
The mastermind behind the creation is Alice Oseman, who penned the webcomic and graphic novel that serve as the basis for this series. As she shares, Nick and Charlie were secondary characters in her debut book titled “Solitaire“. At the onset of our story, these two are already in a loving relationship, yet we’re unaware of their journey to this point or their past experiences. Intrigued by their personalities, Alice felt compelled to delve into their history. She initially attempted to write it as a prose novel like “Solitaire“, but soon discovered that format didn’t suit the story well.
The moment felt right for me to give comic creation a shot, as I’ve had a lifelong passion for drawing. I began developing Heartstopper as a webcomic, posting new pages weekly for everyone to enjoy at no cost. And it gradually expanded beyond that.
With over 124 million views, the webcomic gained tremendous popularity, which inspired Oseman, who had his first book published at age 18, to bring Nick and Charlie’s tale to life through print.
Turns out, even though I’ve previously published books, this project wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed. My literary agent reached out to publishers, but the response was that there wasn’t a demand for it in the UK. So, I figured, ‘Alright, I’ll go the self-publishing route.’ This is a common choice among webcomic artists – they often fund their book printing through crowdfunding campaigns.
In just two hours, Oseman surpassed the funding target. Subsequently, over two thousand copies of volume one were printed and accumulated at the Oseman household for a span of two months. Later on, Hachette Children’s Group took up the publication of these graphic novels. Now, sales have exceeded eight million copies, available in thirty-seven different languages.
As a child growing up in Kent during the 90s, Oseman was immersed in creating tales, engrossed in comic books, and captivated by the Artemis Fowl series. The world of young adult literature became central to their teenage years, with stories like The Hunger Games, Twilight, and works by John Green taking precedence. Television shows such as Skins and Glee were also significant parts of this cultural landscape. However, throughout all the books and shows they consumed, did Oseman find themselves truly reflected in these narratives?
At a time when I was completely clueless about my identity, I had this intuition that none of the stories I encountered seemed to be mine. Being an asexual individual, I hadn’t even come across the term before. I was entirely oblivious to its meaning. Consequently, I took up writing as a teenager since there was nothing that resonated with my own experiences. Needless to say, I never saw any depictions of such experiences on television or in movies.
Heartstopper is praised for its authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ individuals, featuring characters such as Elle (a young transgender woman), Darcy and Tara (a lesbian couple), and Isaac (who identifies as asexual and aromantic) within Charlie and Nick’s friendship circle. The series has gained recognition for offering support to teenagers in exploring their sexual orientations.
I had no idea who I was, I couldn’t find a story that was about me
Beyond just sexuality, the instructional worth of this show reaches much further. In the “Heartstopper” series, it raises significant questions about mental health and eating disorders. To clarify, this wasn’t my initial intention for the show. It has organically developed due to its consistently positive and hopeful tone. The message conveyed is: although challenging experiences may come your way, remember that everything will be alright.
In series three, the focus shifts towards Charlie’s psychological well-being. We delve into his deepest struggles, yet we also trace his path to recovery. This aspect is enlightening and beneficial as it underscores the possibility of overcoming even the most challenging mental health issues.
In the latest installment of Heartstopper, sexual content has been incorporated into the storyline. “There’s a lot of buzz that Heartstopper now includes sex, and everyone seems shocked by it! However, I believe it’s beneficial for young viewers to witness a couple who don’t jump straight into having sex. I think today’s teenagers face immense pressure to engage in sexual activities at an early age. It often feels like everyone is doing it, or that the internet and media are encouraging it. This new series might provide a refreshing perspective on this topic.
In the series ‘Heartstopper’, Nick and Charlie’s relationship progresses at a slower pace, which offers a refreshing perspective for younger audiences. The third season explores the topic of sexual encounters more deeply, emphasizing the emotional aspect rather than just physical intimacy. Characters like Nick and Charlie grapple with questions such as ‘Am I ready for sex?’ and ‘How can I tell if my partner is also prepared?’ or ‘What if it’s uncomfortable because we’re both unsure?’ This portrayal should resonate with many young viewers.
One distinctive feature that sets Heartstopper apart is that Alice Oseman has penned each episode of the series herself. Typically, when a book gets adapted for television, the rights are purchased by a broadcaster or production company. A writer may be brought in to collaborate in a writers’ room, but it’s rare for them to be entrusted with sole writing duties.
In a turn of events, Patrick Walters, another key producer on the show, learned about “Heartstopper” and reached out to my film representative expressing his interest in acquiring the story rights. Impressed by his enthusiasm and creative ideas, I agreed to meet him. His passion was contagious, and I found myself eager to collaborate with him. However, I made it clear that I desired an active role in the project. I wasn’t willing to simply hand over my story and step aside.
He proposed, “Why not compose the initial three episodes yourself?” I hadn’t written a screenplay previously. If it turned out poorly, they could hire an experienced screenwriter instead. Luckily, they appreciated my work! As a result, I wound up scripting the entire series. I’m really grateful for this opportunity because it gives me substantial control over the show’s direction and ensures that it remains faithful to the comic.
You can’t expect teenagers to know what their sexuality is
The resemblance between the content on the page and the screen presentation significantly boosts the popularity of the show. Additionally, the exceptional acting by Connor, who portrays the compassionate character Nick, and Locke, who breathes life into the fragile Charlie, are key factors in its success.
In a more recent discussion, questions have arisen about whether LGBTQ+ characters should exclusively be portrayed by actors who identify as such. Interestingly, Connor, despite openly identifying as gay since age 15, faced backlash online following the first season’s success, which prompted him to publicly declare his bisexuality. How did Oseman navigate discussions on casting and sexuality?
Initially, it’s against the law to inquire about someone’s sexuality during the hiring process. Furthermore, since our cast primarily consisted of teenagers, it’s unrealistic to assume they have defined their sexuality. In our casting call, we encouraged performers from the LGBTQ+ community to apply. If an actor found a personal connection with the character, that was wonderful. However, this wasn’t a prerequisite, and we would never ask applicants to disclose personal information about their lives when applying for a job.
Without a doubt, Series Three will scale the great heights achieved by its predecessors. But how has ‘Heartstopper’ impacted Oseman’s life? ‘I never imagined any of this would transpire. Webcomics are usually quite niche and independent – this is extremely uncommon. Sometimes people may assume I’d feel weary or drained by ‘Heartstopper’, but I adore this story so much, and I’m incredibly grateful for it all.’
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2024-09-27 16:07