An entirely-bingeable-eight-episode-show about positive LGBTQ+ representation? Right in time for Pride Month!

Based on comics of the same name by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper tells the heartwarming story of Nick and Charlie as they navigate high school, friends, and a romance that blooms unexpectedly between it all. The Netflix show, starring Kit Conner (Nick Nelson) and Joe Locke (Charlie Spring), has been released to overwhelmingly positive reception.

The show immediately plunges the viewers into the world of the show. Charlie, who is already out to his school, meets popular rugby boy Nick Nelson. Against the advice of his friends Tao, Elle and Isaac (who insist on his straightness) he befriends Nick by joining the rugby team. The does-he-does-he-not dynamic between the two drives the story’s romantic plot, and the banter between the two borders awkward at times, but always stays endearing.

At just eight short episodes, watching the show felt like a whirlwind of activity. Viewers are left wanting more because of how short the runtime is, but the disappointment was by no fault of the actors. Kit Conner and Joe Locke deliver convincing performances, and for such inexperienced actors, they seem to be handling their roles pretty well. Their dynamic, which can only be described by watching two puppies play in the snow, is the highlight of the show.

“Was it incredibly cheesy? Yes. But I think that this kind of representation is so underrated,” said sophomore Moksha Madupuru.

Her opinion seems to be the general consensus among viewers as well. The show, although not groundbreaking or genre-bending, brings positive LGBTQ+ representation in a way that doesn’t completely center around romance. Yes, Charlie and Nick are undeniably cute. Their romance makes the tv show worth the watch. But Charlie’s struggle with self-definition and queer identity is something that many LGBTQ+ viewers can identify within themselves.

Having positive representation–especially for younger audiences– is so important. And because of this, “Heartstopper” doesn’t need to be the perfectly shot, or capture flawless performances from the actors.

“I think they did a great job of covering a lot of different topics throughout the show. I enjoyed it,” said sophomore Noor Rana.

“Heartstopper” is the cute and cozy show that we’ve all been looking for this pride month. Though it isn’t perfect, watching the show feels like a warm hug in a world that makes no sense. Exploration of identity and love feels less lonely, and it is exactly the kind of representation that young LGBTQ+ teens deserve.