All episodes were dropped on Netflix in most countries worldwide on 14 September 2022 at 5pm AEST (8am BST).
Episode 1 – Map B**ch
The episode starts by introducing the long-time friendship between Amerie Wadia (Ayesha Madon) and Harper McLean (Asher Yasbincek) and their creation of a “hook up map” – a guide as to who has had sexually encounters with who at Hartley High recently. It also introduces her family and then two more of her close friends Sasha So (Gemma Chua-Tran) and Missy Beckett (Sherry-Lee Watson), who she travels to school with on their first day back in school, but there’s no sign of Harper. However, the reveal of the hook up map lands Amerie in hot water and after she takes the fall for Harper, she’s shocked when her friend, now sporting a new look of a shaved head, punches her out in public. We are introduced to school principal Stacey “Woodsy” Woods (Rachel House), teacher “Jojo Obah (Chika Ikogwe) and the other regular student characters from Hartley High – Dustin “Dusty” Reid (Josh Heuston), Spencer “Spider” White (Bryn Chapman-Parish), Anthony “Ant” Vaughn (Brodie Townsend), Darren Rivers (James Majoos), Quinni Gallagher-Jones (Chloe Hayden), Douglas “Ca$h” Pickett (Will McDonald) and Malakai Mitchell (Thomas Weatherall) – in a schoolyard announcement due their inclusion on the map. Amerie is outcast by most of her friends as the fall-out from the map continues, and Darren tries to reconnect with his dad Peter Rivers (Scott Major).
(Guest Stars: Isabella Mistry as Chaka Cardenes, Ben Oxenbould as Justin)
Episode 2 – Renaissance Titties
Following the fall-out from the hook-up map, the kids continue with their sex education, learning about the dangers of “sexting”. Amerie receives a party invite from Dusty, who is shocked when a song he plays at the event is dedicated to Harper and not her. Quinni “comes out” as autistic to Sasha. Rivers attempts to bond with his son Darren, whilst Chaka gets annoyed at his attitude in the café.
(Guest Stars: Isabella Mistry as Chaka Cardenes, Ben Oxenbould as Justin)
Episode 3 – Eetsway
Harper goes to stay with her father, whilst Dusty attempts to make up with her. Amerie still can’t make any sense out of Harper as to why the former best friends have fallen out, so after trying to bond with the Hartley ha ha club, continues to find comfort in Malakai. Darren gets closer to both his father and Ca$h.
(Guest Stars: Ben Oxenbould as Justin)
Episode 4 – Rack Off
Amerie wants to keep things cool with Malakai, seeing as she really prefers Dusty, but following their 24 hours of intimacy, Malakai wants more commitment. The class receives a visit from former student Kurt Peterson who teaches the female students how to tell people to “rack off” but Harper takes things a bit too personally. The gang attend the Mardi Gras Slay Ball with not everything going to plan.
(Guest Starring – Jeremy Lindsay Taylor as Kurt Peterson, Maggie Dence as Nan. Note: Peter Rivers doesn’t appear in this episode.)
Episode 5 – Bin Chicken
Hartley High is selected to kick off the City of Sydney school basketball finals and the school needs a clean up. So Woodsy offers a 50 dollars PlayStation gift voucher for the student who picks up the most rubbish. Quinni is desperate to win. Darren and Cash fix up a date. Malakai is still feeling guilty about his drunken night. JoJo educates the students about the reality of porn.
(Guest Starring – Maggie Dence as Nan. Note: Peter Rivers doesn’t appear in this episode)
Episode 6 – Angeline
Harper deals with the fall out of her public statement at the basketball match and finds out something else about herself. Quinni prepares for the biggest evening of her life, whilst Sasha realises that dating her isn’t completely straightforward. Amerie hosts a party to celebrate being back in the social circles and Harper faces a race against time to save her from making a big mistake.
(Guest Stars: Ben Oxenbould as Justin. Note: Peter Rivers doesn’t appear in this episode)
Episode 7 – The Sheriff
JoJo resigns after being accused of having sex with Amerie, despite being found innocent. The students, in traditional Hartley High style, organise a protest to try and convince her that she’s wanted. Following her relationship issues, Qunni withdraws into herself. Harper goes over the top and looks to make a big error of judgement.
(Guest Stars: Ben Oxenbould as Justin)
Episode 8 – Three of Swords
As Harper reflects on what she’s just done, the shocking truth about what happened at the festival in the summer, and afterwards, is finally revealed. Rivers reveals some truths about his past and gives Darren some advise. A video release means Ca$h must pay for his past, but Chook is still at large which enrages Harper.
(Guest Stars: Isabella Mistry as Chaka Cardenes, Ben Oxenbould as Justin, Maggie Dence as Nan. Final regular appearance for Josh Heuston as Dustin “Dusty” Reid)
Recognition:
- Won the 2023 International Emmy Award for Best Kids: Live-Action
- Won the 2023 Logie Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor (Thomas Weatherall) and was nominated for Most Popular Drama and Most Popular New Talent (Ayesha Madon, Chloé Hayden)
- Won the 2022 AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama (Thomas Weatherall), Best Screenplay in Television (Hannah Carroll Chapman) and Best Costume Design in Television (Rita Carmody), and won three Audience Choice Awards for Best TV Show, Best Actor (Bryn Chapman-Parish), and Best Actress (Chloe Hayden)
- Spent five weeks in Australia’s top 10 TV shows on Netflix and three weeks in the global top 10 TV shows on Netflix (hitting #6, #5, #8 and amassing over 42.6M hours viewed in the three weeks )
- Reached top 10 shows in over 43 countries around the world on Netflix including UK, Europe, Africa and Asia
- Popped off on TikTok where #heartbreakhigh has amassed over 700m views