Heartstopper Season 2 is back, but we regret to inform you that Harry (Cormac Hyde-Corrin) and Ben (Sebastian Croft) have some serious competition in the bully department.
In Season 1 of the beloved Netflix series, adapted from Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, the two aforementioned antagonists repeatedly tormented Charlie (Joe Locke) and fought with Nick (Kit Connor). And though they reappear over the course of Season 2’s eight episodes, we now have Nick’s older brother David, played by actor Jack Barton, to worry about as well.
Since we first meet David in Season 2, Episode 2, he stirs up trouble and disrespects Nick every chance he gets. I can’t believe the sweet Olivia Colman — I mean, Nick’s mom Sarah raised this boy. Why is he so darn RUDE?! Anyway, Nick’s complex relationship with David becomes quickly apparent. He pressures Nick about getting a girlfriend, borrows his Nintendo Switch without asking, and constantly invades his privacy.
After David bursts into Nick’s room in Episode 2, he steals his phone, sees a text from Charlie, and asks Nick if Charlie is his girlfriend. Nick tells Charlie his brother “is a dick” and suggests Nick steers clear of visiting while he’s home, and when Charlie drops by to cheer Nick up after a bad day, he witnesses David’s tragic personality and blatant homophobia firsthand.
David corners Charlie in Nick’s room and says, “I just wanted to meet the guy that turned my little brother gay.” Nick tells David, “I’m bi, actually, and so what?” But David continues to mock him, saying, “If you’re gonna be gay at least admit you’re gay!” As the two fight, Charlie is stunned into silence. Nick calls David a “homophobic prick” and David says their dad is going to be upset when he finds out. Olivia Colman — sorry, Sarah — jumps in to fight with David, and Charlie heads home to let the family sort out their emotions. Later that night, Nick tells Charlie, “This isn’t your fault. I don’t care what David thinks anyway. It was never gonna go perfectly with everyone. Coming out to my mom was amazing, but there are still awful people in the world like my brother. You know, when you came out. But I can handle it I promise.”
Without spoiling the season, let’s just say we haven’t seen the last of Nick’s brother. So who plays David Nelson on Heartstopper Season 2? And what do we know about actor Jack Barton? Read on for all the answers, but be mindful of Heartstopper spoilers.
As noted, Jack Barton plays Nick’s brother David on Heartstopper. The actor kickstarted his career playing Chris Hartley on a 2020 episode of Grantchester, and he’s since appeared in other series, including The Letter for the King, The Pursuit of Love, and War of the Worlds. He also starred as Rob in Chronic, a 2022 short film. And upcoming credits include appearances in Rogue Heroes and Poor Things, starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, and Jerrod Carmichael.
If you’re looking to stay up-to-date with Barton off-screen while you wait for Heartstopper Season 3, you can follow him on Instagram at @jack.barton, where he currently has 20,500 followers.
Heartstopper is now streaming on Netflix.