Heartbreak High’s Most Memorable Romance Plotline Is Queer, Non-Binary And Asexual
Netflix has launched Australian teen drama Heartbreak High and it has become an internet hit. The show is a revamped version of the 1994 series of the same name and shows the ups and downs of the Aussie youth at Hartley High School. This new generation of students features some of the best queer and POC representation on television today.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS! (Spoilers Ahead)
One of the leading B-plots in the series is the budding relationship between Darren and Cash, played by James Majoos and Will McDonald respectively. One of the most glorious things about this series is that it centres around the Australian context and requires someone to understand the culture to truly appreciate it.
When we first meet Darren, they are shown to be eccentric and jaded, content with discreetly hooking up with private school boys. Cash, on the other hand, is a drug-dealing eshay hanging around deeply problematic friends. For those who need a definition, eshay is a western Sydney slang term for young teen men who hang in urban areas and often participate in criminal activity.
The unlikely pair end up forming a close friendship that eventually leads to more. Darren is non-binary and it’s revealed later that Cash is asexual. The romantic side of this relationship is sweet and tender but leaves a lasting impact. Often, non-binary and asexual folks are left out of LGBTQIA+ narratives, and to see it play out on screen is important.
Aside from Cash and Darren, the show has representation for Indigenous people through Sherry-Lee Watson and Thomas Weatherall who play Missy and Malakai. The show also has Chloe Hayden who plays Quinni, a lesbian with autism and both Brodie Townsend and Thomas Weatherall play characters who are questioning their sexuality.
Shows like this are important for LGBTQIA+ youth to feel seen and understood. The representation feels close to home and realistic. If studios are seeking to make more teen dramas, Heartbreak High should be the blueprint.
