Pick of the week
Heartstopper
The irresistible coming-of-age drama by Alice Oseman returns for a third series, with Nick and Charlie’s relationship still advancing, albeit in baby steps. Charlie’s struggle to be emotionally available is the focus; miscommunication and anxiety are the result. Elsewhere, Tara and Darcy are going through a rough patch and there’s an examination of asexuality via the buttoned-up Isaac. As ever, Heartstopper’s strength can also be a slight weakness – rightly, it point-blank refuses to colour LGBTQ+ life in shades of drama and trauma. Does this mean it edges towards the saccharine on occasion? Undeniably, yes. Does that really matter? Mostly not.
Netflix, from Thursday 3 October
