Alice Oseman shares update on progress of Heartstopper Forever: ‘I’m very nervous’

Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman has shared an end-of-year update about the series’ wildly anticipated film conclusion, Heartstopper Forever.

The film, which is set to tie up the sweet, queer love story between teens Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), is due for release on Netflix at some point in 2026.

Despite the impending release, Oseman told their followers in a lengthy Instagram post yesterday (21 December) that the film is “still not quite finished”.

“I know many of you are impatient for updates, but we can’t share anything from the film yet because it’s still not quite finished… I looked through all my photos and there’s so little I can share without spoiling anything!! I want you to have a spoiler-free experience,” she wrote.

Instead of releasing any spoiler content, Oseman shared two behind the scenes photos, one of Nick Nelson’s bedroom, and one of her and Heartstopper producer Patrick Walters.

Oseman teased fans that she and the Heartstopper Forever team have made “a lot of progress” in the post-production phase of the film, with picture editing almost completed and work on animation, special effects and music just beginning. 

“Then the film will be dubbed in many different languages, which takes a few months,” she confirmed.

“Then we get to the fun bit for you guys,” she added, alluding to the likely abundance of marketing and promotion that will arrive ahead of the film dropping.

“I’m very nervous and scared about what you’ll think of it… but that’s probably normal! 2026 will be a big year for Heartstopper,” Oseman promised, before thanking fans for sticking with her during a “quiet” time for the beloved series.

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Heartstopper fans were initially left nervous that the series would be cancelled after its third season, which dropped back in October 2024, as they received no news of its renewal for six months.

In April, Netflix confirmed that the Heartstopper story would close with a movie, which finished filming in July this year. The streaming giant confirmed both its title, Heartstopper Forever, and that it would be released in 2026.

For seasons one through to three, fans of the groundbreaking queer romance knew roughly what would happen, thanks to Oseman’s graphic novels – on which the story is based – already being released.

However, the plot of Heartstopper Forever is contained in Volume Six of the novels, which is yet to be released. In September, it was confirmed that Volume Six will drop on 2 July in the UK, and 7 July in America and Canada. 

Fans are expecting Heartstopper Forever to determine whether Nick and Charlie will stay together after Nick has left Truham Grammar School for university. Locke and Connor were spotted over the summer filming scenes at Leeds train station, suggesting that Nick chooses to attend Leeds University – and that the pair’s romance might survive the distance.

“Nick and Charlie are inseparable, but with Nick preparing to leave for university and Charlie finding new independence at school, the reality of a long-distance relationship begins to weigh on them,” a synopsis of the film reads.

“Doubts take hold, and their relationship faces its biggest challenge yet. Meanwhile, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on. Can first loves really last forever?”

Heartstopper seasons one, two and three are streaming now on Netflix.

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