Earlier this year, Netflix released a television series based on graphic novelist Alice Oseman’s hit graphic novel,

Heartstopper

. The show was an instant hit.

Forbes magazine

even called it “Netflix’s highest-scoring critic and audience hit in ages.” The show even trended on Twitter for weeks.

The coming-of-age series follows a young man named Charlie who meets and befriends a boy named Nick in his class. The two form an unlikely bond and find that their relationship may be more than a friendship. Viewers watch Charlie and his friends throughout their high school experience in the United Kingdom, exploring love, friendship, hardship and self-discovery. The show’s main themes, however, deal with the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. The show explores trans youth experience, bullying, toxic masculinity and the all too common homophobia that takes place in high schools everywhere.

The cast is amazing. It is stocked full of actors who are actually adolescents playing characters their own age; a far cry from other high-school series like

The Vampire Diaries

in which actors in their late twenties portray high schoolers. There are new names, such as 19-year-old Joe Locke who plays Charlie, and 18-year-old Kit Connor who plays Nick, as well as well-known actors like Olivia Coleman.

With all the positive responses coming in from the show, fans were shocked when some trending discussions popped up on social media condemning Connor, who plays Nick, after he was spotted holding hands with actress Maia Reficco. He and Reficco are starring in another young adult romance film,

A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea and Tomorrow

. Twitter suddenly blew up with anger at Connor for this, accusing the actor of queerbaiting, and demanding that the star define his sexuality publicly. Some fans even questioned his place in the cast. Since the show’s release, Connor has repeatedly declined to comment on his sexuality.

Time

magazine cited a comment Connor made on podcast

Reign with Josh Smith

speaking about his discomfort with

Heartstopper

audiences’ interest in his sexuality. “For me, I just feel perfectly confident and comfortable with my sexuality, but I don’t feel the need to really, you know — I’m not too big on labels and things like that. I’m not massive about that. I don’t feel like I need to label myself, especially not publicly.” This is not the only time Connor has made his discomfort on the topic known and requested that the media and the show’s fans respect his privacy, but unfortunately, his pleas were not answered. His public display sparked even more hate on social media. Connor, who had been off of social media for over a month, returned to Twitter a week ago to address the controversy. He tweeted, “back for a minute. I’m bi. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself. I think some of you missed the point of the show. bye.” In the show, Connor’s character Nick struggles with understanding and defining his sexuality. He is able to come to terms with his identity over time and with support of his friends. Nick is never once forced to come out, however, Connor very unfairly was.

After his tweet, many members of the

Heartstopper

cast came to Connor’s support. Alice Oseman, the author of

Heartstoppe

r, stepped into the conversation to defend Connor as well, tweeting “I truly don’t understand how people can watch

Heartstopper

and then gleefully spend their time speculating about sexualities and judging based on stereotypes. I hope all those people are embarrassed as f***. Kit you are amazing.”

There are very few viral shows that have a LGBTQ+ relationship front and center as the main love story. Connor gave a beautiful performance to

Heartstopper

and added much needed representation to our screens. Connor does identify as bisexual, but it is important to note that even if he was a heterosexual man, he, as an actor, should be allowed to portray a member of the LGBTQ+ community, just as a queer actor could portray a straight character. The importance lies within Connor’s performance, not his sexuality, and the absolutely necessary content of the show, which without Connor, would be impossible.