15 Days, 13 Hours, 23 Minutes, 28 Seconds
It was the “Hi” heard around the world. When Season 1 of Heartstopper debuted in 2022, it swiftly became a cultural phenomenon. Seasons 2 and 3 followed suit, cementing Heartstopper as groundbreaking programming for queer youth around the world — and the upcoming feature film Heartstopper Forever will follow in those footsteps. Now, Netflix explores Heartstopper’s evolution, cultural impact, and lasting legacy with a new behind the scenes special, Heartstopper: Ending on a Hi.
“Heartstopper has always had such a wonderfully passionate and supportive community of readers and viewers,” says Alice Oseman, creator of the film, series, and graphic novels on which they’re based. “The connection that they have with the story is so beautiful, and I think the Ending on a Hi special celebrates all of that passion and joy and love, while also showing so many fascinating and hilarious moments from behind the scenes of Heartstopper!”
The 35-minute special will be released on July 24, a week after Heartstopper Forever arrives on July 17 — serving as a companion piece to the finale film. Ending on a Hi reunites the people who made the peerless series, and the fans who fell in love with it. “The thing that keeps us going is knowing that Heartstopper has made a positive impact in the world,” says Alice Oseman, creator of the film, series, and graphic novels on which they’re based. “No matter what hard stuff is happening, there’s always that feeling that you can find with other people.”
The Heartstopper fandom went beyond merely watching the show; with their fan edits, social media conversations, and passion, they shaped the series. Many saw themselves in Nick, Charlie, and their posse of friends, at a moment when such representation was rare and life-changing. When Season 1 first debuted, it immediately earned rave reviews and accrued 53 million viewing hours in its first three weeks. Its fresh-faced stars, Kit Connor and Joe Locke, went from having 200,000 Instagram followers to more than 2 million in just one week.
Heartstopper has carved out an important space in the entertainment landscape. The series celebrates queer joy and has facilitated conversations about identity for viewers around the world. For executive producer Patrick Walters, the community-building is the most gratifying part: “I’ve had more than one parent tell me that it allowed their child to have the conversation of, ‘I’m like one of the characters in the show,’” he says. “That makes it really real.”
“It’s rare for any actor to be a part of a project that has such a meaningful impact on people,” says Locke. “That will always be the most special thing.” Connor hopes that shows that center queer joy continue to get support, adding, “I’m hoping people will continue to make media like this, because no matter what happens, there will always be queer people, there will always be people who feel like they don't have a place. That’s the power of TV, film, and books — to make people feel seen and optimistic about what can feel like a very scary world.”
Ending on a Hi acknowledges that as one generation says goodbye, future generations can discover the series and begin their own journey — all it takes is a simple “Hi.” Keep reading to learn what the special will entail.
The behind the scenes special combines never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, cast and crew interviews, larger cultural commentary, and fan input.
More than a retrospective, Ending on a Hi is a thank you and a keepsake of everything Heartstopper became, and everything it continues to be. “I hope people do watch it in the future, and think, ‘This queer show was really popular 10 years ago,’” says Oseman. “I know that these characters will always be precious to me, so I do hope that people discover them in the future.”
Nick and Charlie’s farewell will be one to remember. So, naturally, there are many more ways to get into the Heartstopper spirit. The daily basement series will air from July 9-15, giving fans the chance to watch the cast solve a series of games together; the bloopers from that memorable series will debut on July 16. The cast and creative team will also gather for the Heartstopper Forever world premiere on July 14 — and you can expect an extra special look inside the event from Tudum.
You can also pre-order the vinyl box set starting on July 15. That would definitely be music to Charlie’s ears. And, speaking of listening, tune into Heartstopper Forever: The Official Podcast, which debuts in step with Heartstopper Forever on July 17. Stars Connor and Locke will appear on the podcast — emceed by returning host Tia Kofi — along with their fellow castmates, creator and writer Alice Oseman, and executive producer Patrick Walters.
The behind-the-scenes special will be released on July 24, a week after Heartstopper Forever premieres on July 17.
Walters and writer, creator, and executive producer Oseman are both featured, alongside cast members Connor and Locke, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Jenny Walser, Tobie Donovan, Yasmin Finney, and William Gao.
“For me, Heartstopper hasn't just been the TV show, it’s been the comic as well,” says Oseman. “It has been 10 years of my life, and taken me through my 20s.”
Luke Hyams directs, and Sunita Mirchandani Hyams executive produces. Pangaea produces.
Four fans named Susannah, Didi, Charlie, and Oliver will get the chance to say why Heartstopper means so much to them. Chair of Gay Times Tag Warner, writer and journalist Jamie Windust, TV journalist Cydney Yeates, and Digital Spy TV journalist Janet Leigh also lend their perspective.
