Over the years, the Heartstopper graphic novel series by author and illustrator Alice Oseman has stolen the hearts of fans from all walks of life. Nick and Charlie’s wholesome and unexpected love story continues in the form of Netflix’s latest coming-of-age series, which has garnered a whole new audience of Heartstopper stans. Thankfully, the first season of the show had such a good reception that the streaming giant has greenlit it for not only one, but two more seasons. We love this journey for us!
So, if you’re looking for all the details on Heartstopper season 2, we’ve rounded up everything you’d want to know about the upcoming season of the beloved rom-com, from its cast and plot to its release date.
So, is season 2 of Heartstopper definitely happening?
Yep! You can count on Nick, Charlie, and the rest of their friends to come back for another two seasons (yes, you read that right!). Netflix UK & Ireland made the official announcement about a month after the first season premiered on the streaming platform. In a clip posted on Twitter, author and illustrator Alice Oseman created a digital drawing of the main characters throwing up a peace sign with a caption that read, “2 more seasons!” We. Cannot. Wait.
Has Heartstopper season 2 finished filming?
Yes! In December 2022, the series’ Instagram account announced that filming has wrapped. In an adorable snapshot, Kit, Alice, and Joe smile for the camera as Alice holds a clapperboard illustrated with Nick and Charlie’s faces. “And that’s a wrap on Heartstopper Season 2… à bientôt! 🍂,” the caption read. OK, where can we frame this perfect photo?? We have major heart eyes.
Heartstopper was in production for about three months, as the show confirmed the start of filming back in September 2022.
When does Heartstopper season 2 come out on Netflix?
We finally have a release date! Heartstopper season 2 premieres on Netflix on August 3, 2023. In the announcement video, the Heartstopper cast — including Nick, Charlie, Imogen, and Elle — tease what to expect from their characters in the sophomore season. We are 🥹.
Who is in the Heartstopper season 2 cast?
Since the story follows Nick and Charlie’s budding romance, we can count on Joe Locke and Kit Connor’s return for season 2. Jenny Walser, Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan, Cormac Hyde-Corrin, Rhea Norwood, Evan Ovenell, and Momo Yeung all reprise their roles as well, per the show’s Instagram account.
We’ll also see some new characters in season 2. According to Variety, Jack Barton joins the cast as Nick’s older brother, David, “a university student who’s less than enthusiastic about Nick and Charlie’s relationship.” Nima Taleghani has been cast as Mr. Farouk, a teacher at Truham Grammar School. Leila Khan will portray Sahar Zahid, a student at Elle, Tara, and Darcy’s school. And Bradley Riches returns this season as a named character, James McEwan.
“Welcome back to our original cast and hello to some new faces joining us for season 2! 🍂💖,” the show penned on Insta.
On November 5, the series confirmed via Instagram that Academy Award-winning actress Olivia Colman (!) will reprise her role as Nick’s mom, Sarah Nelson. (ICYMI, her involvement in season 1 was kept secret until the series premiere.) Chetna Pandya returns as Coach Singh, as does Fisayo Akinade as Mr. Ajayi, and Alan Turkington as Mr. Lange.
Three new cast members were announced in early November as well, including Bel Priestley as Naomi and Ash Self as Felix, new friends of Elle’s. Rounding out the new cast is Thibault De Montalembert as Stephane, Nick’s father.
Are there any trailers for Heartstopper season 2?
Netflix has released one teaser for Heartstopper season 2. Check it out below and prepare to get all the butterflies.
The streamer also shared the opening scene of season 2 during their annual TUDUM event. In the clip, Charlie and Nick send each other the sweetest good morning texts before they reunite at school. But that’s not all! Netflix followed the adorable glimpse into their relationship with a full list of season 2’s episode titles.
- Episode 1: “Out”
- Episode 2: “Family”
- Episode 3: “Promise”
- Episode 4: “Challenge”
- Episode 5: “Heat”
- Episode 6: “Truth/Dare”
- Episode 7: “Sorry”
- Episode 8: “Perfect”
Still dreaming of the first season? Well, on New Year’s Eve 2o22, Netflix dropped an adorable deleted scene from season 1 and we’re 🥺🥺🥺. The short clip shows Elle and Tao still awake at a sleepover with Charlie and Isaac, cuddled up and laughing at Tao’s phone. “I miss you,” Elle then says, to which Tao replies, “I miss you too. It’s just me and Isaac most lunchtimes now.” The pair sit in silence for a moment before Tao adds, “I don’t want to be alone.” Elle reaches over and reassures her friend that he’s not, and they continue to hold each other. The scene simply melts our hearts and, once again, reminds us that we need season 2 to premiere like, tomorrow.
What about photos?
Yes! Netflix has *finally* released photos from Heartstopper season 2 and not only are our fave characters and couples giving us all the feels, we’ve also officially unlocked a new filming location. Nick, Charlie, Elle, Tao, Tara, Darcy, and Isaac visit Paris on a school trip this season, and it appears that the City of Love has a major heart-eyes effect on the gang.
On July 18 — just two weeks before the season 2 premiere! — Netflix dropped a ton of new photos and we finally catch a glimpse at some fresh faces, including Nick’s dad, Stephane Nelson, and his brother, David Nelson.
We also see characters Sahar Khan (Leila Khan), James McEwan (Bradley Richaes), Felix (Ash Self), Naomi (Bel Priestley), Mr. Ajayi (Fisayo Akinade), and Mr. Farouk (Nima Taleghan).
What is Heartstopper season 2 about?
Lucky for us, Heartstopper is based on the graphic novels and web series of the same name by Alice Oseman. The first season of the Netflix series is actually based on the first two volumes of the graphic novels, so we can probably expect season 2 to pull inspiration from volume 3. The official synopsis of volume 3 is as follows:
Charlie didn’t think Nick could ever like him back, but now they’re officially boyfriends. Nick has even found the courage to come out to his mom. But coming out isn’t something that happens just once, and Nick and Charlie try to figure out when to tell their friends that they’re dating. Not being out to their classmates gets even harder during a school trip to Paris. As Nick and Charlie’s feelings get more serious, they’ll need each other more than ever.
Alice Oseman dished about the trajectory of Nick and Charlie's relationship in the upcoming season to RadioTimes.
"As with season one, there is more tension and drama because we have slowed down the story," Alice explained. "Everything happens so fast in the graphic novels, but in the show, we want to lengthen the storylines, therefore more obstacles have to cross our characters' paths."
The author revealed that because Nick wants to come out to more people, he is "faced with his nasty brother, his mostly absent father, and his laddy mates." As for Charlie, Alice said that he neglects his own feelings and mental health as he supports Nick through his obstacles.
In a February 2023 interview with Attitude Magazine, Alice teased that she already has an ending for the series in mind. While she doesn't spoil any details, the author clarifies that the story's ending is something she's been building. "I've known for ages exactly how Heartstopper is going to end. It's been really helpful to have that, like, endpoint for me to kind of build towards. I'm not going to spoil anything, but I mean, it's a happy ending. I feel like everyone knows that," she explained.
Joe Locke and Kit Connor were nominated as GQ’s Men of the Year in 2022, and during their chat with the mag, they revealed that the show was in its second week of shooting. The new season will explore issues of self-harm, disordered eating, and body dysmorphia. For Joe, he relates to his character Charlie’s battle and mental health struggles. “We grow up with the characters, but we’re also growing up [as people],” Joe told GQ. “Their views of the world are changing, and those changes happen quite quickly when you’re a teenager because of hormones and school being horrible.”
Joe revealed that he understands why many teens, like the one he portrays on Heartstopper, struggle with their body images. “Part of that is because most teen shows have 30-year-olds playing 17-year-olds,” he said. “They have actual adult bodies; 17-year-olds don’t look like that.”
If you can’t hold out ’til season 2 drops, you can snag the entire graphic novel series below and catch up on everything Nick and Charlie have been up to in the Heartstopper universe.
Catch Up on the “Heartstopper” Book Series!
Heartstopper Volume 1
Heartstopper Volume 2
Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn't draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.
Leah Campano is an Associate Editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health, and politics. On the weekends, you can probably find her watching marathons of vintage Real Housewives episodes or searching for New York City’s best almond croissants.
