Netflix’s Australian series, Heartbreak High has become the #6 most watched TV show globally on Netflix, racking up 18,250,000 hours viewed in the last week alone.
Featured in the top 10 most watched shows in 43 countries around the world on Netflix, in every corner of the globe from the US and Europe, to Africa, Asia and, Australia, where it’s been sitting pretty in the top 10 since its release on service on September 14.
In Australia, Heartbreak High currently ranks #2 on Netflix’s charts, after DAHMER: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story at #1. Mr. Mercedes comes in at third, followed by Fate: The Winx Saga at fourth.
Inspired by the original 90s series, but reimagined for a new generation, Heartbreak High made its global debut on Netflix earlier this year The original series ran for seven seasons on Network 10 and then the ABC for a total of 210 episodes. All of the original episodes are currently available on Netflix.
Earlier this month, Mediaweek’s Andrew Mercado wrote: “If Heartbreak High (Netflix) can maintain the quality of its first two episodes, this new drama will be on track to become the best reboot of an Aussie TV classic since Wentworth (Binge) re-invented Prisoner.
The original Heartbreak High (1994, 10 and then ABC) is still described as “gritty”, even though it was made for a G-rated timeslot. What was brave back then was its multicultural cast, with lots of Greeks and Italians, as well as Yugoslavian, Chinese, Lebanese, Salvadoran and Vietnamese characters.
No major characters were Indigenous, but there were brief appearances from teacher Vic (Ernie Dingo) and African American teacher Ronnie (Deni Gordon). Queer characters were just as rare, and episodes that featured them were deemed “inappropriate” and moved to a PG timeslot, or not screened at all. Outrageous.
Thankfully, there will be no such censorship now that Hartley High is streaming. More “gritty” than before, the cast is still multicultural, but there is now an Indigenous student Malakai (Thomas Weathrall), and biracial queer Darren (James Majoos) is the son of a heritage character who was once racist and homophobic.”