5 Biggest Changes Netflix's Heartstopper Made From the Graphic Novels

Fans of Heartstopper familiar with the source material recognise the strength of the Netflix adaptation. Alice Oseman, who penned the original graphic novels of the same name, also wrote the script. Who better to do so than the original author? After all, unlike third-party writers, they have a firsthand connection to their work, understanding its nuances, vision, and intended direction.

While the narrative centres on themes of love and friendship, the characters don't lead idyllic teenage lives. They grapple with homophobia, mental health struggles, and dysphoria — issues that, unfortunately, are common yet have only recently gained prominence in pop culture. To delve deeper into these topics in the series, Oseman made several alterations to the storyline, which we'll discuss below.

5. Elle and Tao's Relationship

In the novels, these two friends gradually come to recognise their feelings for each other. In the series, however, they spend a considerable amount of time navigating these emotions and debating whether pursuing a romantic relationship might jeopardise their friendship.

In the comics, Elle opts not to transfer to the Lambert School of Art and remains at Higgs. But, in future seasons, it appears likely that Elle and Tao will grapple with the challenges of a long-distance relationship.

4. Darcy's home life

Darcy's background remains consistent: life at home is distressing due to her abusive, homophobic mother. Yet, the graphic novels offer a more abbreviated take on this storyline, given the format's tendency to move swiftly from one arc to the next.

3. Omission of Oliver and Aled

Two characters from the graphic novels, Oliver and Aled, were excluded from the adaptation. Oliver, Charlie and Tori's younger sibling is a minor in the story. To afford other characters more development time, Oseman opted to leave him out.

The same rationale applied to Aled, another friend of Charlie, Tao, and Elle's.

2. The addition of Imogen

A new character, Imogen, was introduced. As a friend of Nick's who initially harboured feelings for him, she inadvertently aids him in recognising his bisexuality. The storyline hints that Imogen may start exploring her queer identity after developing an interest in Sahar.

1. Addition of Isaac for More Depth and Representation

In place of Aled, Oseman introduced an original character named Isaac. This inclusion is pivotal for highlighting facets of the queer experience beyond romance. Isaac identifies as aro/ace, spotlighting identities that typically remain underrepresented in media.