Netflix has greenlit a Heartstopper film, starring and executive produced by series stars Joe Locke and Kit Connor, and directed by Wash Westmoreland, that will serve as the series finale. The announcement came on the third anniversary of Heartstopper's premiere on April 22, 2022.
Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman, whose graphic books the coming-of-age romance series was based on, is returning as writer for the feature film, which will draw on the upcoming sixth and final installment of the graphic novel. (The first season covered installments 1-2, season two was based on installment 3, and season three followed on from installments 4 and 5.)
There is no publication date yet for book 6, which is still being written. Oseman has indicated that the final book would ideally be released before the end of the television series.
In the Heartstopper finale, Nick (Connor) and Charlie (Locke) are inseparable, but as Nick prepares to leave for college and Charlie finds new independence at school, the reality of a long-distance relationship begins to weigh on them. Doubts mount as their relationship faces its biggest challenge yet. Meanwhile, their friends also grapple with the ups and downs of love and friendship, and face the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on. Can first loves really last forever?
Westmoreland, who has an extensive background in feature films, succeeds Euros Lyn, who directed the first two seasons of Heartstopper, and Andy Newbery, who directed season three. Filming is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025.
“I am completely overjoyed that we will get to tell the end of the Heartstopper story,” Oseman said. “I’m so grateful to everyone who has worked hard to make this possible and to the incredible fans of Heartstopper for your patience and passion. I cannot wait to bring this story to a magical conclusion.”
