By Yoel Izaguirre
TV seems to be obsessed with trying to get this new generation of viewers hooked on the next BIG TEEN DRAMA!!! As someone who is a connoisseur of TV, I can confidently say that Netflix has hopped onto this trend and has put Heartbreak High (2022) as their submission to the Teen Drama Genre. Heartbreak High is a teen drama series that follows the lives of a diverse group of Australian high school students as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. The show explores themes such as friendship, love, identity, family dynamics, social issues, and personal growth, all the stuff that you would find in a typical teen drama.
Updating Classic Themes
Heartbreak High (2022) is a reboot of the 1990s series of the same name. The show not only revisits classic themes but also actively engages with new cultural discourses, reflecting the evolving landscape of youth culture and the dynamic nature of genre evolution within the media. One notable change from the original series is the significantly increased diversity in the cast of the reboot. The new cast includes representation from Asian, Black, and Blak communities, showcasing a more inclusive and representative portrayal of high school life in today’s society.
The Teen Drama Genre is a popular genre amongst young audiences, I mean the whole reason I even heard about Heartbreak High was because all my friends and TikTok wouldn’t stop talking about it. In this genre, high school settings become the backdrop for vibrant storytelling, where the lives of students and staff intertwine in a whirlwind of drama and excitement. It’s like the writers took a page from a Mad Libs page, weaving crazy yet relatable storylines that mirror the rollercoaster of adolescence. The formula sounds pretty basic. I can think of so many shows that follow this: Degrasssi (a long running Canadian show), Saved by the Bell (a staple in the category), Euphoria (a personal favorite), Riverdale (a personal love/hate), and Sex Education (a British take on teen dramas).
Engaging with New Cultural Discourses
What sets Heartbreak High apart is its fearless engagement with today’s cultural pulse. From social media’s influence and cyberbullying to the complexities of mental health and LGBTQ+ representation, the show dives deep into the experiences shaping modern youth. These themes reflect the concerns and experiences of today’s youth, making the show more relatable and impactful for its audience. One of the main storylines within the show centers on one of the Blak characters being racially profiled and assaulted by a police officer which leads to an examination of the police brutality that Blak folk face within Australia. In essence, Heartbreak High isn’t just entertainment; it’s a mirror reflecting the diverse and evolving landscape of youth culture
2 replies on “Exploring Heartbreak High (2022): A Discursive Genealogy in Teen Drama”
I’ve been holding back from starting Heartbreak High because I was finishing up another series, but while I’ve been waiting I have inadvertently kept up with discourse through social media. This show feels like one that has stepped into the digital era more smoothly than the others that came before it, especially considering Euphoria’s rocky production and long wait for the second season, or Sex Education’s fall from grace following season 2. I’ve particularly noticed how some of the stars of the show are now being advertised as having minimal media training, which has become a trend (or just a profitable trait). I’m excited to see how the show actually shapes up to the massive social media push and endless fan edits.
I love how you discuss not only how Heartbreak High is a teen drama but also that it reflects relevant issues that youths would find relatable today. I personally haven’t watched Heartbreak High and teen dramas in general but I feel like teen dramas in general have so much room for in-depth storytelling considering how high school is just such a distinct period of time for many people and how much goes on during these years of everyone’s lives. I feel like this is also why the genre of teen drama is so popular in the first place, because it has that nostalgia that makes us think about our own high school experience and the crazy happenings that are associated with it.