| “ | You don’t have to figure it out right now. I didn’t just wake up one day like, “Oh, look, guess I’m gay now."
―Charlie to Nick.
|
” |
Charles "Charlie" Spring, is one of the two protagonists in the Netflix series Heartstopper, along with Nick Nelson, as well as the upcoming Heartstopper film.
After being publicly outed and bullied by his classmates, Charlie returns to school after winter break committed to keeping his head down and sticking with his friends. But when he meets Nick, an older popular boy who plays rugby, the best friends soon turn to lovers.
Personality[]
Charlie is an introvert who only has a few friends. He is very self-critical and overthinks a lot with a tendency to believe that him existing is inconvenient for other people. But he is really kind, thoughtful and caring and puts others before himself. He wants to be more independent, and thinks he's being protected too much just because he's mentally ill.
Biography[]
Background Information[]
Charlie was born on April 27th, 2006, in Kent, England, to Julio and Jane Spring.
At some point, he started attending Truham Grammar School for Boys. During Year 9, Tao accidentally outed Charlie during a conversation with Isaac. This led to Charlie being bullied and he would often often hide in Mr. Ajayi's classroom. Charlie met Ben while he was drumming and told him he is brave about having his sexuality be known.
Season 1[]
Charlie is in a one-sided relationship with Ben Hope. Due to wanting to hide his sexuality, Ben wants to keep the relationship a secret. as a manipulative grip on Charlie. In form, Charlie is sat next to Nick Nelson, a Year 11 student on the rugby team. Overtime, the two become closer and Charlie eventually grows a crush on him. Charlie grows tired of having to pretend to not know Ben and eventually finds out he is cheating on him with a girl. This leads to him breaking up with him over text. After seeing Charlie's speed during P.E., Nick invites Charlie to join the rugby team, which he reluctantly accepts despite thinking he is too weak. Charlie ends up doing good in rugby, though some of his teammates give him a hard time for being gay. After one practice, Ben asks to meet Charlie at the music building. Charlie rips into Ben about their toxic relationship. Ben starts kissing Charlie against his will, but is saved by Nick. Charlie thanks Nick for saving him over text. ("Meet")
Tao believes that Nick is straight and to get over him, so Charlie asks Mr. Ajayi for advice. Nick invites Charlie over to his house. Charlie is initially nervous, but the two end up having a great time. They bond over Mario Kart before going out and go outside to play in the snow. Charlie starts to think that Nick might like him back, but Tao tells him that he likes Tara Jones. Charlie's friends meet up, all in agreement that Nick is straight. They ask Elle to ask Tara if she likes Nick. Charlie wants to ask Nick if he is into boys, but instead invites him to his house. Charlie teaches Nick how to drum by holding his hands. While Charlie is asleep, Nick stares at his hand and thinks about holding it. Before he leaves, Nick hugs Charlie. Afterwards, Tori tells Charlie she doesn't think he's straight. Over text, Elle tells Charlie that Tara does not like Nick back, which excites him. ("Crush")
Nick invites Charlie to Harry's party. Charlie is hesitant, but reluctantly accepts. Charlie tells his friends, but Tao is annoyed since it's on the same day as their film night. Charlie arrives at the party and hangs out with Nick. However, Harry and his friends try to get Nick to get with Tara, leaving Charlie alone. As Charlie walks alone, he runs into Ben in a hallway. Ben tries to talk to him, but Charlie pushes him away and walks off. Nick eventually finds Charlie and they explore the building. They sit alone in a room and Charlie asks Nick if he likes Tara. Nick tells him he doesn't, but does have a crush on someone else and reveals it isn't a girl. Charlie asks if he would go out with someone who isn't a girl, to which Nick doesn't know. He then asks if he would kiss someone who wasn't a girl, which Nick still doesn't know. Finally, Charlie asks if he would kiss him, which Nick answers he would. Charlie leans in and the two of them kiss. After a few seconds, the two start making out. However, Harry and his friends are heard looking for Nick, so he walks out, leaving Charlie alone. By the time Nick returns, Charlie is gone. Charlie's father picks him up. He begins to cries and his father comforts him. The next morning, Charlie awakes to no messages from Nick. He thinks about the night before and imagines Nick rejecting wanting to kiss him. Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. Charlie opens it and it is Nick, who walked all the way to his house and is soaked from the rain. ("Kiss")
Relationships[]
Family[]
- Tori Spring - Charlie has an introverted and sarcastic, but kind and caring older sister who attends Higgs. She is the same age as Nick.
- Charlie also has a little brother called Oliver, but he is included in the series as his cousin.
- There is also his mum Jane and his dad Julio.
Romances[]
- Ben Hope: His former boyfriend, though they only kissed sometimes and later on Ben is revealed to actually have a girlfriend.
- Nick Nelson: His current Rugby star boyfriend. They became close through form time and rugby and their relationship bloomed. They had their first kiss in Kiss (episode three) and their relationship continued.
Friends[]
- Tao Xu: One of his closest friends who was really there for him when the bullying occurred.
- Elle Argent: One of his close friends who now attends Higgs.
- Isaac Henderson: One of his close friends.
- Tara Jones: One of his friends through Nick.
- Darcy Olsson: Friend through Nick and Tara.
Enemies[]
- Ben Hope: His ex and current enemy.
- Harry Greene: Harry is homophobic and cruel to Charlie
Quotes[]
Season 1[]
- "Ben?"
- ―Charlie's first line in the series.
- "Hi."
- ―Charlie's first word to Nick.
- "Why would I be scared of getting caught? Everyone in school already knows I'm gay. You're the one who's scared of getting caught. You can't even look at me when other people are around. Not to mention the fact that you have a girlfriend. Yeah, I've seen you with her at the school gate. Thanks for telling me. Oh, wait, you didn't. (...) I'm not angry about that. If you're figuring stuff out, fine. Take your time. I would have been there for you. Don't you think, I, of all people would understand you're figuring out your sexuality? (...) I'm angry because you never even slightly cared about my feelings. We only meet up when you want to. Where you want to. When you feel like kissing a boy. You don't care about me at all."
- ―Charlie confronting Ben about their toxic relationship.
- "Masculine guys can be gay. And no offense, but you're not exactly the authority on working out who is and isn't gay. And bisexual people exist."
- ―Charlie to Tao about Nick being straight.
- "Would you go out with someone who wasn't a girl? (...) Would you kiss someone who wasn't a girl? (...) Would you me?"
- ―Charlie asking Nick if he wants to kiss.
Appearances[]
| Season 1 Appearances | |||
| Meet | Crush | Kiss | Secret |
| Friend | Girls | Bully | Boyfriend |
| Season 2 Appearances | |||
| Out | Family | Promise | Challenge |
| Heat | Truth/Dare | Sorry | Perfect |
| Season 3 Appearances | |||
| Love | Home | Talk | Journey |
| Winter | Body | Together | Apart |
Trivia[]
External Links[]
Listen to Heartstopper: Nick & Charlie playlist on Spotify
References[]
Heartstopper Characters
| |
|---|---|
| Main | Charlie • Nick • Tao • Elle • Tara • Darcy • Isaac • Tori • Imogen • Ben • Harry • Mr. Ajayi • Coach Singh • Sahar • Mr. Farouk • Sarah |
| Supporting | James • David • Stéphane • Diane • Geoff • Michael • Mr. Lange • Otis • Christian • Sai • Jane • Julio • Yan • Naomi • Felix |
| Minor | Amanda • Mariam • Richard • Oliver • Jack • Ivy • Ant • Roger • Nancy • Edwards • Nellie • Henry • Headmaster Barnes |