Your favorite UK high schoolers are growing up in Heartstopper Forever, Alice Oseman’s finale film premiering on July 17. Nick (Kit Connor) is soon leaving for university — which will push him and Charlie (Joe Locke) into a long-distance relationship — and they’re haunted by the maxim posed in the first few seconds of the film’s trailer. “Everyone thinks teenage relationships don’t last,” says Charlie. Watch the Truham boys and their friends reckon with the imminent milestones in the bittersweet new trailer, above, as Olivia Rodrigo’s “Stupid Song” plays.
Once you’ve really fallen in love with the emotional trailer, you can access the complete footage here to create your very own fan edit to share on social media. Make Mr. Ajayi (Fisayo Akinade) proud by exploring your creativity. This is quite a large file, so give it a few seconds to fully download onto your device.
Heartstopper Forever, written by Oseman and based on the highly anticipated final installment of their graphic novel series, bids farewell to a group of friends who have won viewers’ hearts since the series debuted in 2022. “Heartstopper starts like a fairy tale and a bit idealistic, in a beautiful way that we all love,” says Oseman. “But in the film, we’re taking a slightly grittier look at romance and what it is to be in a long-term relationship. I find that fascinating and exciting.”
Charlie may be a self-proclaimed optimist, but change is hard, and maturing in tandem with your high school love is no easy feat. As you can see in the trailer, Charlie, Nick, Tao (William Gao), Elle (Yasmin Finney), Darcy (Kizzy Edgell), Tara (Corinna Brown), Imogen (Rhea Norwood), and Isaac (Tobie Donovan) each tread new waters and embark on bold adventures in the film concluding the beloved series.
Patrick Walters, who has served as executive producer of every episode of Heartstopper and the film, describes the stakes of this cusp moment: “They’re not adults yet, but there’s that feeling of looking over the edge of a cliff, and you know you're about to fall over it,” he says. “It’s going to be exciting, but you’re also scared. And that kind of energy and fizz is evolved and has a maturity, and still speaks to the teenage experience.”
After all, growing up isn’t all bad: Glimpse the Paris squad celebrating their evolving identities at a Pride parade, enjoying some pints at the pub, and dancing at quite a few parties. “This has always been true for Heartstopper,” says Oseman, “the idea that no matter what hard stuff is happening in your life, there's always that feeling that you can find with other people.”
With cozy string lights, sparkly eye makeup, and rustling cartoon leaves woven throughout, Heartstopper Forever promises to say a fitting goodbye to a beloved franchise. How does Oseman feel about closing a chapter in the lives of the characters with whom she’s spent a decade? “[Heartstopper has] taken me throughout my 20s,” she says. “I know that these characters will always be precious to me and I will never forget them.”
Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Euros Lyn also executive produce, with Locke and Connor nabbing their first EP credits as well. “These characters have meant a lot to us over the years,” Connor says. “As EPs, it feels like we can really say goodbye to them in a way that feels the most right. It is bittersweet, but it is also a really nice way of ending it.” Locke agrees, adding, “This show has meant so much to me in my life. I’ll always carry that with me.”
Is your algorithm already dominated by fan edits of Charlie and Nick’s final chapter? Now you can join in on the fun by accessing the complete trailer footage here. Download the file here (give it time to download) and then cut, zoom, and play around with the clip to your heart’s content. Heartstopper Forever is a gift — and it’s time to share it with all your friends.
Watch Heartstopper Forever on July 17, and stick around Tudum to say “hi” to Charlie and Nick one final time.
