Behind the scenes of series three of Heartstopper

On a freezing day in November 2023, we head to a school on the outskirts of London. It looks disused and unremarkable, but a sign reading “Truham High” gives the game away.

This abandoned-looking building is actually the setting for the Netflix sensation Heartstopper, and on the day we visited, filming for the third series was well underway. The new episodes will be released on October 3.

Inside, the hustle and bustle one might expect in a school hallway has been replaced by the organized chaos of a film set. The school’s plain interior is covered in colorful murals painted in the style of Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, which inspired the show.

Mr. Ajayai’s art class is instantly recognizable.

In the first two series, Joe Locke’s character Charlie provided a safe space to go to when he was going through a difficult time. During our visit, he’s joined by Kit Connor, who plays Nick – and the conversation they film promises to be difficult.

They sit in a corner and talk in low voices.

The corner of an art classroom used for the filming of Heartstopper. The counters and sinks are covered in paint bottles and there is a mural of a tree with autumn leaves painted on the wall and along the window, its roots painted on the floor. — Heartstopper is known for its colorful scenery, like Mr. Ajayai’s classroom, but the walls and hallways are repainted between seasons so other TV productions can use them (Josh Parry/BBC)

Although the producers remain tight-lipped about the details of what they’re shooting, they tell us that “it’s a pretty intense scene.”

They protect the number of people in the room with the actors during the most emotional scenes. Dozens of silent crew members are crowded into a nearby room, watching intently on monitors as the actors do several takes.

The third series of the show deals with more serious topics than the first two; Charlie’s eating disorder will be a key storyline and some characters will have sex for the first time.

“We’ve always said that the show grows with the characters, which is certainly the case this year,” Locke said, speaking to us during a short break before his next scene.

“The show deals with heavier topics like mental health and growing up, so there’s a lot of adolescence.”

The series has been praised for showcasing “queer joy” – highlighting the positives of growing up within the LGBTQ+ community – but Locke says it’s important to make sure it stays realistic .

“It’s all about authenticity and trying to make your portrayal of a subject that’s quite intense and close to people’s hearts as real as possible,” he says.

During our visit, it’s clear that the chemistry between the actors goes beyond their time on screen. Throughout our interviews, they joke and gently poke fun at each other, which Connor says helps on the toughest days on set.

“After filming, we all pile into someone’s apartment and hang out. We have a great way of doing it without talking about work or anything like that,” he says.

“We all go home, make dinner, and critique each other’s cooking skills.

“(Joe Locke) actually cooked a good chili this time…last time it was a really, really bad chili.” This time, Will, who plays Tao, had seconds…but he’ll eat anything.

While the friendships may be real, some of the show’s most iconic locations are actually flat-packed and assembled inside the school as needed.

When we visit, Nick’s room is assembled in what would have been the school gym.

There are no lights as no scenes are planned here today, so we explore using our phone torches instead. Even in the dim light, the attention to detail is evident.

From books about bisexuality to Polaroid photos of Nick and Charlie together, they went to great lengths to make the room a true reflection of the character’s journey throughout the series.

“Fans really notice everything and have theories about the smallest details… you should see some of the TikToks they make,” one team member tells us.

An exterior of a film set, supported by scaffolding. It's a wooden box with windows and outside the windows are fake trees and shrubs. The floor is covered with cables and filming equipment. — It might not look like it from the outside, but this wooden box is actually Nick’s room in the show. Each set is built as needed in the school gym (Josh Parry/BBC)

Just down the hall from Nick’s bedroom is the costume department, where designer Adam Dee says he likes to give mega-fans things to spot.

“If there is a scene with an open wardrobe, (we) will add some iconic pieces from previous series so the audience can spot them,” he says.

“With Elle, she has a sewing station in her bedroom, so we’ve managed to add a few pieces to her wardrobe made up of two other items we’ve sewn together, or vintage scarves that we’ve made into tops.”

Heartstopper was something of a surprise hit for Netflix and the first series launched with very little promotion.

It became one of the top 10 most-watched English-language series within two days of its release and received an almost unheard of 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – which many critics attributed to the diversity of representation on the show. screen.

The third season involves some of the show’s older characters turning 16 and starting to have sex.

A scene from Hearstopper with Elle and Tao kissing on Tao's bed. She lays her head on Tao's chest and they watch something off camera. Both are wearing pajamas and lying on the blankets. — The third season will show the development of the relationship between Elle and Tao (Yasmin Finney and William Gao) (Netflix/Heartstopper Season 3)

Yasmin Finney’s character Elle, who is transgender, will be shown beginning a sexual relationship with her on-screen boyfriend Tao (William Gao).

The sex lives of transgender characters are often left out of TV storylines.

Finney tells us, “It’s nice to have this representation of a trans person being able to have these kinds of relationships.

“It’s very sweet and I’m very lucky to be able to deliver this performance with Will.”

In the second series, Tobie Donovan’s character Isaac tells the rest of the characters that he is asexual, meaning he experiences little or no sexual attraction. This is another topic that few TV shows have tackled.

A camerawoman carrying equipment on her back points the camera at Tobie Donovan and William Gao, while a reporter holds out a microphone to interview them. The two men both laugh. — BBC News had exclusive behind-the-scenes access to interview the cast; including Tobie Donovan (left) and William Gao (right) (Josh Parry/BBC)

Donovan tells us he wanted to do “a lot of research” to make sure “he was doing justice to this community.”

He added: “There’s been nothing like this on television before, so I really wanted to make sure I got it right.

“I feel like, from our response to season two, people were very happy just to have someone on screen who represents a little piece of their story. This is great for all of us.

Just before leaving, we find the series’ executive producer, Patrick Walters, on the set of Mr. Ajayai’s class.

Walters had the idea to turn Alice Oseman’s graphic novels into a television series after “falling in love” with the books.

The diversity of the show is something he is particularly proud of.

He said: “It’s amazing to think that this is an important show for young LGBT people.

“I like to think that young people really see themselves in the characters, and that’s why it creates a connection.”