Heartstopper Forever cast open up to Gaydio as they say goodbye

Gaydio attends the premiere of HeartStopper Forever

Almost a week on from the release of Heartstopper Forever, fans around the world have finally seen the final chapter of Nick and Charlie's story.

Before the film landed on Netflix, Gaydio's Luis Wyatt was at the world premiere in London's Leicester Square, where creator Alice Oseman and the cast reflected on saying goodbye to one of the biggest LGBTQ+ shows of the last decade and what they hope its legacy will be.

For Alice Oseman, the evening was naturally emotional.

"It's so sad to be saying goodbye," they told Gaydio. "But we're also so proud to be here."

After first introducing Nick and Charlie as side characters in their debut novel Solitaire in 2014, Alice knew there was more of their story to tell. That decision would eventually grow into a global Netflix phenomenon, reaching audiences far beyond the UK.

"It's amazing to know that Heartstopper can be accessed and seen all around the world," Alice said. "Even in countries where being gay is illegal, you can still watch Heartstopper."

Speaking to Gaydio, several stars reflected on what it means to have a major platform like Netflix putting queer stories in front of millions of viewers. Rhea Norwood described it as "so important" that streamers tell stories which are representative of society, while Fisayo Akinade hopes Heartstopper won't be remembered as the exception.

"It can't just be Heartstopper," he said. "Let's have a hundred more shows."

His on-screen partner Nima Taleghani shared that hope, telling Gaydio he doesn't want Heartstopper to become "a flash in the pan", but something that opens the door for many more LGBTQ+ stories in the years ahead.

Of course, Heartstopper has always been about far more than romance. At its heart, it's a story about friendship, chosen family and the people who quietly help us become ourselves.

That's perhaps why the relationship between teachers Mr Ajayi and Mr Farouk has become such a fan favourite.

Fisayo believes many LGBTQ+ people recognise someone from their own lives in Mr Ajayi.

"We've all had somebody who just saw us for who we were," he explained. "Not as a child... just somebody who saw us."

The chemistry clearly extends beyond the screen too. Arriving together on the carpet, Nima introduced Fisayo to Gaydio as his "bestie" before laughing about finally getting the cast back together. Although Heartstopper Forever marks the end of the series, he was quick to reassure fans that they wouldn't be losing each other "any time soon."

That feeling of personal growth came up again and again throughout Luis' conversations with the cast.

Corinna Brown said she feels she's grown alongside Tara over the last four years.

"I've learned to follow my heart and walk with confidence," she said. "Sometimes you need to be there for yourself."

Joe Locke revealed Charlie taught him "quiet confidence" - the ability to be comfortable in yourself without needing to be the loudest person in the room - while Kizzy Edgell said it had been especially meaningful to continue Darcy's journey and show the character becoming fully part of the friendship group.

Even with the emotional weight of saying goodbye, there were still plenty of lighter moments on the carpet.

No one had actually seen the finished film yet, something Fisayo joked felt "like a Marvel movie" where the cast had been "kept in a basement" until premiere night.

When Luis asked what the most "movie star" thing they'd done recently was, the answers were equally brilliant. Darragh Hand admitted simply arriving in an air-conditioned Sprinter van made him feel glamorous, while Kizzy confessed they had started "getting way too many Ubers."

Throughout the evening there was one feeling that kept resurfacing: gratitude.

Looking back on the experience, Kit Connor described every day on set as being driven by "a feeling of love" and a belief that they were making something "special and important."

"We knew how much it meant to people," he said.

As Heartstopper Forever continues to find its audience, one thing feels certain: the conversations the series started about friendship, identity, acceptance and growing up won't end with the final credits.

If anything, everyone Gaydio spoke to hopes it's just the beginning.

Check out more of Gaydio's Heartstopper coverage across our socials

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