Tia: You have got some iconic one-liners.

Rhea: I’ve been told that visually, I look like I should be in a horror movie. 

Tobie: I don’t know if that’s a compliment. 

Tia: Everyone else has told me that there is a little naughtiness. 

Rhea: There’s mainly drunken snogging, actually. 

Tia: Hi, babes! Welcome to the ‘Heartstopper: Official Podcast.’ 

♪ Find my way home ♪ ♪ It feels like I’m falling in love ♪ ♪ For the first time ♪

♪ For the first time, baby ♪

♪ Find my way home ♪ ♪ Finally feel I belong ♪ ♪ For the first time ♪

♪ For the first time, baby ♪

♪ Find my way home ♪ ♪ For the first time ♪ ♪ For the first time, first time ♪ 

Tia: I’m your host, Tia Kofi, otherwise known as the Glamorous Geek, and I’m a massive ‘Heartstopper’ fan. I’m thrilled to be right here at Netflix HQ, ready to talk to the ‘Heartstopper’ cast about all the behind-the-scenes tea and gossip on ‘Heartstopper’ Season 3. In this episode, I’m joined by Rhea Norwood and Tobie Donovan.

♪ For the first time, baby ♪

♪ Find my way home ♪ 

Tia: Tobie, Rhea, thank you for joining me in my living room. 

Tobie: Of course. Thank you for having us. A lovely living room. 

Tia: Um, so, I’ve got a confession. And everyone at home watching in this thing, you know the confession I’m about to make. The show hasn’t been edited yet, so I haven’t seen Series 3. So for my benefit, can you give me a little recap of what your characters are doing in Season 3 of ‘Heartstopper’? 

Tobie: So we pick up pretty much right where we left off at the end of Season 2. And, um, the gang’s all back together. We finished our trip in Paris. Um, and for Isaac this season, we ended last season with some kind of … some turmoil. He doesn’t really know where he’s at with his sexuality, and he’s on this journey. And so, this season, we pick up in that kind of weird headspace and go on a lovely journey of self-discovery.

Tia: We love to see it.

Tia: What about Imogen? 

Rhea: We sort of establish how sort of, I think, uncertain she is about her own identity and where she fits in the world and who she wants to be and who her friends are in Season 2. And that’s where we pick up from in Season 3. 

Tia: I’ve heard rumors of a little snog. 

Rhea: Yeah. Yeah. There is — there is — there is some snogging, some drunken snogging, as well as … There’s mainly drunken snogging, actually. It’s an interesting thing to film because it's all, like, pretending to be drunk, kissing, when you’re sober, is, um …

Tobie: And it’s 8 in the morning.

Rhea: Yeah, exactly.

Tobie: Weird vibes.

Tia: Honestly, the acting skills right there. We appreciate it. Now, to use reality TV parlance, because I’m from the reality TV world, I would like to declare the two of you the fan favorites of the season.

Tobie: Oh! Thank you.

Tia: How does that feel?

Tobie: Great. I love being the fan favorite. I don’t know if it’s true, but I’ll take it. 

Tia: But you must experience that when you meet the ‘Heartstopper’ fans or see things on social media that people are, like, obsessed with the two of you. 

Tobie: I think it was weird for us because we came in … Our characters weren’t in the comics, so we kind of … I know for me, I was quite nervous the first season of, like, joining this thing that everyone’s already so in love with and being the new kid.

Rhea: Yeah. 

Tobie: Um … But yeah, after Season 1, when everyone sort of figured out who were were, we’ve been welcomed with open arms. 

Rhea: It’s interesting for me because I think the perception of Imogen from Season 1 to Season 2 shifted quite a lot, and so, like, the reaction to her for Season 2 was, um … was much different, I think. When she … In Season 1, she’s definitely more of an extension of Nick’s journey. And then Season 2, I, you know, had my own journey. I feel very protective of Imogen. I’m sure you do with Isaac. Like, you feel like you want to do that story justice, and it’s amazing that people, like, resonate with that. It feels important. 

Tia: Totally. I mean, you’ve had an arc, because, again, reality TV vibes. At the start, there was villain energy.

Rhea: Yeah. 

Tia: Like, “She’s getting the villain edit. This is what’s happening.” But then, no. Resolution. Fan favorite.

Rhea: Yeah. 

Tia: We love to see it.

Rhea:  It’s such a blessing as an actor. It’s really fun to be able to … explore. Like, I think I’m really passionate about, like, showing, like, nuanced people on screen, and, like, that people can have … Everyone’s a bit villainous and also …

Tobie: Yeah. 

Rhea: … very sweet as well sometimes, and, you know, messy. And that — especially at that age, you don’t know your personality. It’s all crazy and up in the air, so. Uh, yeah. Hope …

Tobie: And fun to play. Isaac, this season, has a real journey of, um, learning to love and accept his asexuality and aromanticism, which is a thing that we don’t see on TV very often, so it’s really cool to represent that and to get to be that voice for a group of people that might not, um, see themselves on TV otherwise.

Tia: Cute.

[laughter] 

Tia: But it’s such an important storyline, ’cause as you said, like, you don’t often see it sort of in media, on stage, on television, on screen. And I think if people don’t see themselves reflected in those things, they don’t feel represented. So I feel like that’s gonna help a lot of people who are watching. 

Tobie: I hope so. Yeah. I hope that people see themselves in it. I think it’s like, you know, I will always be grateful to see anything on TV that I feel like connects with me, so I really understand it. And, um, yeah, there’s a lot of pressure to … get it right because there’s not been anything like it really before.

Tia: Mmm.

Tobie: Um … But I feel like, you know, I did the research and worked as hard as I could on making it feel authentic. And, yeah, I hope people enjoy it.

Tia: If you could play any other character in the show, who would you play, and what are your reasons for that nomination? 

Tobie: I’m not saying it ’cause you’re here, but I’d wanna be Imogen. 

Rhea: Yeah, you’d be such a good Imogen. 

Tobie: I feel like I can do that kind of Regina George, like, real bitchy high school girl.

Tia: OK.

Tobie: That’s definitely in my wheelhouse. Could you give us a burst of your Imogen, please? This is my favorite Rhea as Imogen line. She goes, “Your energy’s off!”

[laughter]

Tobie: So funny. She’s just, like, so animated, shouting at this poor boy. But he deserved it. 

Tia: That was really good. You have got some iconic one-liners.

Rhea: I do.

Tobie: So many good lines. 

Rhea: Yeah, there’s great lines that Alice writes for Imogen. It’s … it’s really fun to do.

Tobie: Yeah.

Tia: What’s your favorite one-line moment? 

Rhea: Oh. It’s the obvious one. I did really enjoy the “I’m not homophobic, I’m an ally.” 

Imogen: I’m not, like, homophobic. I’m an ally.

Tia: Iconic.

Rhea: Yeah. It was my second day ever filming.

Tobie: Really?

Rhea: On a film set. And it just, like … The vibe was really good. Yeah, it landed well, and I think that will always be really special to me, ’cause I was like, “Oh, this was good.” You know? 

Tia: Funny but layered, 

Rhea: Yeah.

Tia: Especially, there’s the moment on Season 2, which I have seen, where you’re in Paris, and you sort of have this sort of screaming moment at the … when everyone’s having dinner.

Rhea: Mmm.

Tia: Then leave. And then you have your emotional moment where you’re cared for and supported by others.

Rhea: Yeah.

Tia: Which is nice.

Rhea: It’s lovely, ’cause I think Imogen places so much value on, like, boyfriend relation — like, relationships in that way. And I think, actually, where the value in her life is in her friendships with Nick and … I think in Season 3, we really begin to see that for her as well. 

Tia: So we still got so much joy and happiness in the ‘Heartstopper’ world. As much as …

Rhea: Always. 

Tia: … everyone else has told me that there’s a little naughtiness …

Tobie: Oh!

Tia: … in this season.

Tobie: Not for me.

Rhea: No.

Tobie: I’m good.

[laughter]

Tia: Just having a gorgeous time.

Tobie: Yeah. Can’t complain.

Rhea: David.

[laughs]

Tobie: Bless him. 

Tia: Who’s — who’s — who’s that? What’s — 

Tobie: David’s our lovely …

[both] … intimacy coordinator.

Rhea: Yeah. He’s fantastic.

Tia: Interesting. 

Tobie: He choreographed all of the kissing and the… [softly] …sex.

Tia: That was very Miranda. I like that.

[laughter] 

Tia: So you have someone actually look after that and make sure everyone is comfortable. 

Rhea: Exactly. And I think it’s … it’s really important, I feel like, personally, ’cause it … it’s somebody who’s external to the director or the actors who can objectively look at it and nurture that moment. And I think it actually, on a storytelling level, it makes it better, as well as on a safety level for actors as well.

Tobie: Yeah.

Rhea: So I’m a big advocate for intimacy coordinators. 

Tia: Absolutely. And it’s important to have that, especially when the characters are exploring their relationship.

Tia: I have actually got some fan questions for you.

Tobie: Fabulous.

Tia: Which are very exciting.

Tobie: Thank you, fans.

Tia: Um …

Rhea: Sweat.

[laughter]

Tia: You OK?

Rhea: Yeah, I’m good.

[laughter]

Tia: Um, so our first question. What is one thing that you always have to have with you on set? Ooh.

Tobie: Mints.

Rhea: [laughs] True. 

Tobie: I always … I don’t even do kissing, but we always get really smelly lunches.

Tia: Garlicky lunches.

Tobie: And you’re always really close to people. Yeah. So that’s such a boring answer. I’m so sorry. 

Rhea: Yeah. Headphones, ’cause I love, like, if I’ve got a scene that I need to do some sort of more emotional prep for, I love listening to music, and I always have a playlist for my character. In each season, and sort of, like, finding songs that trace a similar journey to what my character’s doing. 

Tia: So do you use the music to, like, get you into the headspace? 

Rhea: Yeah, yeah. Definitely. So if I need to, like, come in with a certain energy or feeling, I can, like, listen to music to really, like, drop me into that moment. You’re filming out of sequence. It’s not doing the whole journey through.

Tia: Yeah.

Rhea: Yeah. 

Tia: What songs have you used to guide your journey in Season 3? 

Rhea: “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie. Very good.

Tia: That’s gonna give the emotions.

Rhea: Yeah. Instantly, that song makes me cry. 

Tia: We won’t play it now. Don’t worry. 

Rhea: You don’t want to see it. It’s like ugly crying.

[laughter]

Tia: Do you know what? I love an ugly cry.

Rhea: Oh yeah. 

Tobie: I’ve been crying so much recently. I was watching ‘I’m a Celebrity’ last night, and I was crying. Like, nothing sad even happened. I was just crying at it. I was just like, “Aww, they all miss their families.” And then, like, floods of tears. Embarrassingly so, though. Not like, “Aww. He cried at the TV.” I was sobbing.

Rhea: Yeah.

Tia: Yeah, I cry more at reality TV. I don’t know why reality TV, like, makes me more emotional.

Tobie: Me too. Weird.

Rhea: Interesting. 

Tobie: Just so in touch with all the people’s emotions. 

Tia: “What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from a fellow actor?” 

Rhea: Hmm. Yeah, I can’t think of anything specific, but I think … it’s always about the work, isn’t it? And not getting caught up in the rest of it all. Do you know what I mean? Fundamentally, it’s about turning up and doing a job and … 

Tia: But you get time to sort of step back and enjoy the experience and, like, appreciate what you’ve actually achieved. 

Tobie: It’s amazing. Sometimes it’s hard to … I think the world has a different impression of ‘Heartstopper’ to what we all have. ’Cause it's this huge thing, and for us, it’s just like … we’re just a group of mates that get together and make a TV show. I mean, it’s a bigger thing than that, but … And also, like, because we’re all a similar age, it sort of feels a bit like uni. ’Cause we all, like, stay in these flats while we’re shooting, and it’s, like, it feels like we’re in uni accommodation. You’re, like, living with all your friends and hanging out every day. Yeah. 

Tia: “What’s the most useless talent you have?” 

Rhea: I can do, like, weird things with my eyes. Like, I can shake them.

Tia: Oh my God. May I see? Is that …

[gasps]

Tobie: Oh God.

Rhea: Hold on. 

Tobie: If you’re listening at home, Rhea is very aggressively shaking her eyeballs, and it’s quite terrifying. 

Rhea: I’ve been told that –– that visually, I look like I should be in a horror movie. 

Tobie: I don’t know if that’s a compliment. 

Rhea: I don’t –– I’m not saying it is.

[laughter]

Tia: I do. I see it.

Rhea: Yeah.

Tia: What’s your most useless talent? 

Tobie: I feel like any talent I have, I’ve monetized by now. I’m like, “If I’ve got a talent, the world is gonna know about it.” So none of them are useless.

Tia: I really respect that.

Tobie: Yeah.

Tia: They will all be utilized.

Tobie: Yeah.

Tia: Ooh.

Rhea: I love that answer. “My talents are useful.”

Tia: But how can we –– How can we monetize eyeball shaking? That’s the question.

Tobie: There’s a market for it. 

Rhea: Yeah, maybe, like, um … 

Tobie: Like OnlyFans. Videos of your eyes shaking. 

Rhea: Maybe there’s something out there on the internet.

[laughter] 

Tia: Thank you both so much for joining me. 

Tobie: Thank you for having us. 

Tia: Here in my living room. Please come back anytime.

Tobie: Yeah, we will.

Rhea: Will do.

Tia: Gorgeous people, we have sadly come to the end. But fret not, we have got one thing left, and that is the grand finale of the Kit and Joe BFF Challenge.  Each week, I’m asking Kit and Joe to take part in a series of challenges. I’m gonna ask you each to come up with a buzzer sound.

Kit: Why are we like this?

Tia: Kit is currently in the lead. You are now, like, three-nil.

Joe: That’s fine. 

Tia: On the running games, and we only have one more game. But let’s see who wins the final episode of the BFF Challenge with Kit and Joe. Our next challenge is “Finish The Line.” “I like Charlie Spring …”

Kit: Why are we like this?

Tia: Go for it. 

Kit: “ … in a romantic way, not just a friend way.”

[ding]

Tia: Yes. Correct. “Honestly, I’m having a proper … ” 

Joe: “ … full-on gay crisis.” 

[Tia] Yes. “I didn’t just wake up one day like … "

Kit: Why are we like this?

Tia: Go. 

Kit: “Oh, guess I’m gay now.”

Joe: That’s my line.

Kit: Yeah.

Tia: It is. Correct.

Kit: That was by accident.

Joe: Yeah, that’s true.

Tia: That’s fair. That is very fair. Um, next one.  “A lot of gay people are … ” 

Kit: Why are we like this?

Tia: Go for it.

Kit: “ … good at sports, Charlie.”

Joe: “A lot of gay people are good at sports.”

Tia: Very good knowledge. An iconic line up next.

Joe: Iconic line.

Tia: “I’m not, like, homophobic.”

Kit: Why are we like …

Joe: “I’m an ally.”

Tia: Yes. Very much so. Uh, very funny. I fully laughed out loud. “You only need to glance at him to … ”

Kit: Why are we like this?

Tia: Go for it.

Kit:: “ … to see he’s a massive heterosexual.”

Tia: Very nice!

[ding]

Joe: I did even worse on that one. You know what? It’s fine. 

Tia: And that was the last game ever, which means Kit is our winner of the BFF Challenge. Congratulations, Kit. Gorgeous people, that is it for the ‘Heartstopper: Official Podcast.’ But if you’re watching on YouTube, please do make sure you like, comment, and subscribe. And if you’re listening to us on a podcast app, just give us a follow and maybe a cheeky five stars. Bye for now.