James McEwan

James McEwan is one of the Truham boys orbiting Nick Nelson's world — a rugby mate, present at parties and matches, part of the easy, laddish camaraderie that surrounds Nick before Charlie enters the picture. He's affable and social, at home in a group, more scenery than spotlight at first glance.

Heartstopper's warmth depends on characters like James filling out the edges of Truham's social world without demanding attention — Bradley Riches plays him with an unforced, easy charm that makes the friend group feel lived-in rather than assembled, so the show's gentleness never feels like it's happening in a vacuum.