Nick and Charlie’s romance might’ve been a slow burn, but it looks like the wait for Heartstopper Season 2 won’t be. 

Production is underway for the cast in the UK, and there are some new faces joining the gang. Bel Priestley will star as Naomi and Ash Self as Felix, both playing new friends of Elle, with Thibault de Montalembert as Stephane, Nick’s father. The three actors will join previously announced newcomers Leila Khan as Higgs student Sahar Zahid, Jack Barton as Nick’s older brother David Nelson, Nima Taleghani as Truham teacher Mr. Farouk and Bradley Riches (who played a student in Season 1) will return as Truham student James McEwan. 

Also returning for Season 2 are Chetna Pandya, Fisayo Akinade, Alan Turkington and Olivia Colman. They’ll join lead cast members Kit Connor, Joe Locke, Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Sebastian Croft, Tobie Donovan, Rhea Norwood, Cormac Hyde-Corrin and Jenny Walser. 

From left: Tobie Donovan, Evan Ovenell, Nima Taleghani, Cormac Hyde-Corrin, Jack Barton, Leila Khan, Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Rhea Norwood, Jenny Walser, Kizzy Edgell, Corinna Brown, Yasmin Finney, Momo Yeung, William Gao

Based on Alice Oseman’s best-selling graphic novels of the same name, Heartstopper follows Nick and Charlie’s high school friendship as it blossoms into something more. “For me, it’s just about celebrating queer joy,” Oseman told Tudum last April. “Above all, I hope that [Heartstopper] just makes people smile and brightens their day — but I also hope that it inspires, particularly, young queer people to believe that they can find happiness and find romance and find friendship.” Although Season 2 is currently in production, it’s already been confirmed that fans will be getting a third season as well. 

Let the gay panic continue.

Heartstopper Season 2 Production Officially Begins