Behind the scenes of Heartstopper series three

The Heartstopper series is gearing up for its third season, and the actors Kit Connor and Joe Locke, who portray the beloved characters Nick and Charlie, are thrilled about the new episodes. They emphasize that their friendship plays a crucial role in supporting each other during the challenging days of filming. On a chilly November day in 2023, we had the opportunity to visit the set of Heartstopper, which is located in a seemingly abandoned school on the outskirts of London. However, this unremarkable building is actually the filming location for the popular Netflix series. The new episodes are set to be released on October 3. Upon entering the set, the usual sounds of a bustling school corridor were replaced by the organized chaos of a film set. The interior of the school is adorned with vibrant murals inspired by the graphic novels created by Alice Oseman, which serve as the foundation for the show. One of the most recognizable locations is Mr Ajayai's art classroom, a safe haven for Charlie, played by Joe Locke, where he seeks solace during difficult times. During our visit, Kit Connor, who plays Nick, was filming a scene with Joe, and it appeared to be an emotionally charged moment. They were seated in a quiet corner, speaking in hushed tones, creating an atmosphere of intimacy. Heartstopper is renowned for its colorful settings, particularly Mr Ajayai's classroom, but the walls and corridors are repainted between seasons to accommodate other television productions. The art room is filled with paint bottles, and a stunning mural of a tree with autumn leaves graces the wall. While the producers were tight-lipped about the specifics of the scenes being filmed, they did reveal that 'it’s quite an intense scene. ' They prioritize maintaining a calm environment during emotional moments, limiting the number of people present in the room with the actors. A multitude of crew members silently observed from a nearby room, intently watching the actors as they performed multiple takes of the scene. The third season of Heartstopper will delve into more serious themes compared to the first two seasons. One of the central storylines will focus on Charlie's battle with an eating disorder, while some characters will experience romantic relationships for the first time. Joe Locke remarked, 'We’ve always said the show grows up with the characters, which is definitely the case this year. ' He elaborated that the series will address significant issues such as mental health and the challenges of adolescence, making it relatable for young viewers. The show has received acclaim for its portrayal of 'queer joy,' highlighting the positive aspects of growing up as part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, Joe Locke stressed the importance of maintaining authenticity in the storytelling. He stated, 'It’s all about authenticity, and trying to make your portrayal of a topic that is quite intense and quite close to people’s hearts as true as possible. ' Kit and Joe shared a lighthearted moment, joking about the awkwardness of kissing a friend on camera, especially during long filming days. Kit humorously noted, 'When you’re shooting for seven-and-a-half hours as we did for a slightly steamier scene, it’s like, what is my job? ' The chemistry among the cast members is evident, and they often engage in playful banter, which helps them navigate the more challenging days on set. After a long day of filming, they enjoy spending time together, cooking and relaxing without discussing work. Kit mentioned, 'After filming we all just sort of pile into someone’s flat and spend time together. ' He also playfully critiqued Joe's cooking skills, saying, '[Joe Locke] actually cooked a good chilli this time… last time it was a very, very bad chilli. ' The friendships among the cast are genuine, and they cherish their time together off-screen. Interestingly, some of the show's most iconic locations are constructed inside the school as needed. For instance, Nick's bedroom is set up in what was once the school's sports hall. Even in the dim lighting, the attention to detail in the bedroom is remarkable, featuring books about bisexuality and Polaroid pictures of Nick and Charlie. A crew member shared, 'The fans really notice everything, and have theories about even the tiniest of details… you should see some of the TikToks they make. ' The costume department also adds special touches for fans to discover. Designer Adam Dee explained, 'If they’ve got a scene with an open wardrobe, [we’ll] sneak in some iconic pieces from previous series so the audience can spot them. ' Heartstopper emerged as a surprise hit for Netflix, quickly becoming one of the most-watched English-language series shortly after its release. The third season will showcase older characters turning 16 and beginning to explore their romantic lives. Yasmin Finney's character, Elle, who is transgender, will embark on a relationship with her on-screen boyfriend, Tao. Yasmin expressed her joy about representing a trans character in a romantic storyline, stating, 'It’s nice to have that representation of a trans person being able to have those sorts of relationships. ' The show also features Tobie Donovan's character, Isaac, who discovers he is asexual, a topic that is rarely depicted on television. Tobie shared his commitment to conducting research to accurately portray this experience, saying, 'There’s been sort of nothing like this on TV before, so I really wanted to make sure I got it right. ' The cast noted that filming for the third season has garnered more attention than the first season, with people stopping to watch and take pictures. Before we concluded our visit, we had the chance to speak with the show's executive producer, Patrick Walters, who initially conceived the idea of adapting the graphic novels into a television series after developing a deep appreciation for the books. He takes pride in the show's diversity and believes it is vital for LGBTQ+ youth. He stated, 'It’s amazing to think it is an important show for LGBT youth. I like to think young people really see themselves in the characters, and that’s why it connects.