Alice Oseman on ending Heartstopper with Volume 6 and the Netflix film

Alice Oseman has spoken about bringing Heartstopper to an end, saying she knew for years that the story should finish when Nick leaves for university and the pair’s school life together is over.

The creator of the LGBTQ+ series said the details of the final pages only took shape while she was writing Heartstopper Volume 6. She said there were no other ending options in mind once she came up with the memory book concept.

The series, which began as a Tumblr comic in 2016 before becoming a Netflix hit, is now reaching its final chapter through both the graphic novel and the screen adaptation Heartstopper Forever.

Oseman on the ending

Speaking to PinkNews, Oseman said the ending had been set in broad terms for several years.

“For the past few years, I’ve known that I want the story to end when Nick leaves for university and Nick and Charlie’s school life together is over.”

She added that the memory book idea quickly became the emotional centre of the conclusion.

“There were never any other alternative endings, though – as soon as I had the idea for the memory book, I knew it was the one.”

A final chapter for the cast

Oseman said adapting the story into a film format changed the pace and allowed more time with the characters.

“Rather than individual half-hour segments, you’re spending almost two hours non-stop with the Heartstopper gang.”

“It allowed me to take Heartstopper to a more dramatic place and to take Nick and Charlie on quite an intense rollercoaster!”

She described the last day on set as deeply emotional, comparing it to the end of the school year.

“The last day on set felt like the last day of school – everyone about to leave and embark on their own futures in different directions.”

Oseman said she has watched Joe Locke and Kit Connor grow with their characters and feels protective of the wider cast as they move on to new projects.

Hope, representation and LGBTQ+ youth

Oseman said joy, hope and optimism have always been central to Heartstopper, while also making space for the realities of queer adolescence.

She said she wanted the story to be a place where young people could see difficult experiences acknowledged without losing sight of a hopeful ending.

“It’s okay to want that happy ending.”

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Oseman added that she hopes the series remains a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth.

“I hope it continues to be that safe place for people.”

The final volume also includes more adolescent upheaval, including the breakup of Tao, played by William Gao, and Elle, played by Yasmin Finney. Oseman said that reflected her aim to show teenage life honestly, including relationships that are still unresolved at 18.

What comes next

After more than a decade with the characters, Oseman said the project has taught her confidence in her own voice and creative decisions.

She said she does not yet know what she will do next, but plans to rest and explore other people’s art before deciding on future work across books, graphic novels, film and television.

Heartstopper Volume 6 is out now. Heartstopper Forever arrives on Netflix on 17 July.