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Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman is proud of Isaac’s aroace representation, but says comics, TV, and films still need more
Heartstopper’s Isaac is an important step for aroace representation, but Alice Oseman says we still have a long way to go
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When Netflix began developing a television adaptation of Heartstopper, Alice Oseman saw an opportunity to expand the world of her coming-of-age webcomic. One notable example was the addition of Isaac Henderson, a character who wasn’t in the webcomic. This has allowed the show to explore asexuality. As the series has progressed, Isaac, who is played by Tobie Donovan, has learned more about himself, realizing that he identifies as aroace. If you aren’t familiar, someone who is aroace feels little to no sexual or romantic attraction.
“I’m so glad I could put that into Heartstopper, and I know that a lot of people have seen themselves in Isaac in that way,” Alice Oseman says during a discussion at BFI Flare 2026. “I think there needs to be more. I think Isaac is maybe kind of the minimum – maybe not the minimum, but he’s definitely not – we would have to have a show about being aroace to really get people to understand what that’s all about, but just the fact that Isaac exists is so rare in TV and film.”
“I think that’s needed. It’s not enough for sure, but it is something. Every little helps with representation, so I feel really proud and Tobie has always cared so much about that representation. Every time we’ve done a new season, he’s always come to me and been like, ‘What’s Isaac’s story? What are we doing here? What is he representing?’ He’s always cared so much about representing that experience authentically, and that’s meant a lot to me.”
Heartstopper is currently streaming on Netflix.
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