3. Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk

Some argue that Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk are the true kings of Heartstopper season two. They would be correct. Readers fell in love with Mr. Ajayi in the comics, being the supportive elder gay Charlie could confide in and helping Charlie when the bullying got too much to bear, supporting him while he was trying to find his footing again. 

Season two introduced Mr. Farouk, a science teacher who is looking over the end-of-year GRC’s and chaperoning the Paris field trip. At first, he seemed to be a loud and annoying teacher, but then he told off Harry, and he soon became the top of the audience favorites list. 

Not only do these characters captivate audiences on their own, but together is a partnership no one knew they needed, giving viewers an older gay love story that is so incredibly heartwarming. Mr. Farouk admits that he didn’t know he was gay until he thought it was “too late,” never getting to have that schoolboy romance that Nick and Charlie are experiencing. Mr. Ajayi ensures him that it is never too late to have something that feels like that. 

4. Coach Singh

Another elder gay and the super supportive adult title goes to Coach Singh! Since season one, she’s been on the side of good sportsmanship amongst peers and playing a good game of rugby. She welcomed Charlie to the rugby team and was nothing short of supportive of him through the whole process. 

Audiences get to learn more about her in season two, about the story of how she met her wife and her friendship with Mr. Ajayi. It is not so often that audiences see coaches in sports who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Having a character as small as a coach be gay speaks volumes to the nature of the story and the need for representation in the media. Her story was heartwarming and comforting to queer audiences, especially elder gays, proving once more that Heartstopper is for everyone, queer folks of ages with all kinds of stories. 

5. Isaac Henderson

Isaac Henderson, the best bookworm and sassiest friend of all time. Even though he doesn’t have much screen time, he sure knows how to captivate an audience. He’s super supportive of Charlie and his romantic dreams in the first season and even more supportive of their journey in the second season. If he were a video game character, his not-so-secret weapon would be a queer book. 

He gets more of a storyline in season two, one that is truly beautiful to see unfold. Gaining a love interest in season two, Isaac and James dance around each other, sharing some dialogue and even more glances. Viewers start to see something change in Isaac’s interactions with James. He learns along with Isaac that what he’s feeling is normal in that he’s not feeling anything at all for James. It is super beautiful. Isaac has a moment with a book called ACE: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex. That moment, when Isaac’s face shows audiences something so pure, the release of the burden on his shoulder, is truly one of the best moments in the entire series. 

Heartstopper seasons one and two are available for streaming only on Netflix!