HEARTSTOPPER
THE L WORD
One of the most joyous moments of Heartstopper season one is when Darcy Olsson and Tara Jones, played by Kizzy Edgell and Corinna Brown respectively, share their first public kiss as lesbians. This significant scene happens on a crowded dance floor, surrounded by friends, as confetti falls from the ceiling, and Chvrches’ euphoric 2015 anthem ‘Clearest Blue’ plays. “We wanted our young gay audience to feel the queer joy inherent in that moment,” Heartstopper producer Patrick Walters explained to Attitude last year.
With the exception of Nick and Charlie, the amplification of the serious and mature content in season two is perhaps most evident in Darcy and Tara’s storyline. Early on in the season, Tara lets slip an “I love you” to Darcy. As the joker of the pair, Darcy makes light of it and avoids the topic on at least two occasions. “I think playing jokes is a coping thing,” says Kizzy, theorising carefully about the funny and charismatic character that is his debut acting role. “It’s ‘I’m uncomfortable with this so I’m changing subjects. I’m going to make a joke.’” The actor says that Heartstopper’s playing this side of Darcy comes naturally. “She does like making people laugh,” says Kizzy. “She’ll make it a comedic situation rather than a deep situation. She doesn’t like talking about feelings. She hides behind the comedy — and that’s what people do.”