Netflix pushes the boundaries with its new series Heart stroke. The LGBTQ romantic drama centers on a 10th grade student named Charlie Spring (Joe Locke). Charlie is openly gay, a little nervous, but he has a good heart. During a new term, he is forced to sit next to rugby player Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) from year 11. Their seating arrangement begins a life-changing journey. Before becoming a UK Netflix series, Nick and Charlie’s Heart stroke The story was first a series of graphic novels.

Charlie Spring wants to find someone who accepts him in “Heartstopper”

Heart stroke is an LGTBQ story about two high school students trying to deal with growing feelings, sexuality, and even friendships. Charlie is not a popular kid and has a close group of knight friends. His classmates are aware of his sexuality, but Charlie has been bullied before.

While Charlie isn’t afraid of who he is, his romantic interests are. At the start of a new school term, Charlie is assigned a new office mate. He happens to be one of the popular rugby players at school, Nick. Unlike other male classmates, Nick is welcoming and kind and shows no resentment towards Charlie.

“When sweet rugby-loving Charlie and Nick meet in high school, they quickly discover that their unlikely friendship turns into an unexpected romance,” reads a synopsis from Netflix. Heart stroke is a story of self-discovery about acceptance, love, friendships and finding courage.

“Heartstopper” was originally an illustrated graphic novel series first featured on Tumblr

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Netflix characters and story Heart stroke comes from the illustrated pages created by author Alice Osemen. According to Osemen’s official website, Heart stroke was first posted on Tumblr and Tapas in 2016. Her story quickly gained traction.

“Alice Oseman funded a limited edition edition, reaching her funding goal in less than two hours. Hachette Children’s Group released volume one of Heartstopper more widely in the spring of 2019, followed by volume two in July of that year. Since , Hachette Children’s Group has published two other volumes and a coloring book,” explains Osemon on its site.

the Heart stroke The graphic novels have sold over a million copies worldwide, leading to book tours and the new Netflix series. There are four novels in total in the series so far. Osemen’s plot from the first novel reads, “Heartstopper is about love, friendship, loyalty, and mental illness. It encompasses all the little stories from Nick and Charlie’s life that together make up something bigger that speaks to all of us.

Fans can learn more about the Heart stroke graphic novels, their author and the series on the Osemen website. His site also includes the plots of each novel and links to buy.

Joe Locke felt the pressure to live up to the ‘Heartstopper’ graphic novels

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The Netflix series features actor Joe Locke in his first major lead role of his career. He plays the title role of Charlie Spring. Fans will be hard pressed not to fall in love with the actor’s sweet smile and the show’s overall charm. Locke was a perfect fit for Charlie for graphic novel fans.

In an interview with 1883 Magazine, Locke explains that he felt some pressure to adapt the pictured character. The first season of the series adapts the first graphic novel.

“I think it sometimes comes with a bit of pressure to try to meet the expectations of these characters, but I think the Heart stroke fandom is so supportive of everything Alice does and trusts her vision so much that they place that trust in us as well. It’s a really nice feeling,” Locke said.

The actor admits that trying to live up to an expectation can be difficult. But he says he and the actors were able to add their own unique charm to the characters on their shows with Oseman’s blessing.

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