This article contains spoilers for Heartstopper on Netflix.
It’s only been a few days since landed on Netflix, but the show has already had a major impact on viewers’ lives.
The series dropped on the streaming platform on Friday and has been hailed as revolutionary for its LGBTQ+ representation and storytelling.
Heartstopper tells the story of Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) who develops a crush on form buddy Nick Nelson (Kit Connor).
The two quickly fall for one another and realise they are more than just friends, but have to battle with keeping their relationship a secret, especially since Nick is yet to come out to anyone.
However, the final episode of season 1 includes one of its most emotional scenes, with Nick finally confident enough to come out as bisexual to his mum, .
The teen is met with nothing but love, warmth and validation, and that very moment to share their true selves with their loved ones.
One Heartstopper fan took to Twitter to share that they used the pivotal moment in Nick’s story as inspiration for their own coming out.
‘just came out as queer to my parents using nicks coming out scene in the show feeling emotional rn ?’ they wrote, before detailing how powerful the show is to them.
‘this took like 7 years to come to terms with and do .. thank you alice oseman for creating a character that has helped me in ways i could never describe, thank you kit connor for being the most perfect nick nelson + encapsulating everything about him,’ they continued.
‘and thank you to the heartstopper cast for constantly inspiring me and making me feel normal for being queer <3 gonna stop being sappy now bye’
Their tweet has since gone viral, with over 25k likes and floods of supportive tweets in response.
One person replied: ‘When I saw that scene, I really felt like I wanna come out. I hope someday I’ll be brave enough to came out as a bi to my mother like Nick ♡’
‘i’m so proud of you, this is amazing, i hope it went as good as nick’s <3’ one person replied, before the fan assured: ‘it did thank you <3’
The one and only Kit – who plays the lovable student in the Netflix adaptation of the Alice Oseman comics – also responded to the tweet, and he was clearly taken aback by how powerful the series has become.
‘This. This is why we did it,’ he sweetly wrote.
This fan wasn’t the only person to use Heartstopper as the catalyst for their coming out, with plenty of others claiming it has helped them find the bravery they needed to live as their authentic selves.
‘I just came out to my dad as bisexual :)) i cried quite a bit but it was worth it cause he was accepting, heartstopper just kinda, gave me the confidence to do it and i couldnt be more thankful and I know this is a ramble but im so happy rn :),’ one wrote.
Another shared: ‘just came out to my parents. it went really well. heartstopper was so so influential and helped me get the courage to do it. queer representation is so important!’
Another tweeted: ‘hi i came out to my mom recently, so i thought i would come out here too. it’s been a long journey but i am bisexual :) heartstopper and nick nelson specifically have helped me learn to accept myself so grateful for heartstopper’
Fans are also praising the series for giving younger LGBTQ+ people the representation they both need and deserve, explaining how they wish they had that visibility when they were growing up.
One person tweeted: ‘as someone who came out in year 11 and was in a same sex relationship with a girl in my year, heartstopper would have been super helpful to me’
‘As someone who didn’t figure out they were queer until their twenties, watching queer teen shows like Heartstopper comes with a strange mix of joy and sadness b/c I love these stories but I wish I could have had those experiences as a teen,’ said another.
The series skyrocketed up the Netflix charts over the weekend, with its already diehard fanbase (thanks to the books) now growing into one big family.
It’s safe to say the sweet coming-of-age tale has taken the UK by storm, and we’re already waiting for confirmation of a second season.
Heartstopper is available to stream now on Netflix.
