Heartstopper has been described as “a lifeline for many” young LGBTQ+ viewers and something that has “changed countless lives” through its heartwarming depiction of the secondary school romance between Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring.
Based on Alice Oseman’s book series, the Netflix adaptation is now coming to an end in the form of a film, to complete three TV series that have pulled some of the streamer’s highest viewing figures to date.
Heartstopper Forever follows the young male couple as they prepare for a huge relationship test – going long distance as Nick heads off to university and Charlie stays behind to finish his school exams.
Joe Locke, who plays Charlie, tells the BBC the pair wanted to give their love story “a cinematic ending” with a “laser focus” on the tribulations of their two characters.
The TV series has had largely positive reviews since its inception in 2022, with a very high score on reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. It has dealt with a number of topics that many teenage and young adult viewers will be familiar with – such as sexual identity, mental health and bullying.
Kit Connor, who plays Charlie’s boyfriend Nick, says the “content works well as a film and final chapter” as “we’ve been through so much with these characters”.
The third series and film see a noticeable political shift from the previous series, as trans character Elle Argent (played by Yasmin Finney) addresses real-life issues facing those who are transgender.
‘Queer and incredibly happy about it’
In the film, one of the key scenes centres around Pride celebrations in the fictional English town of Truham, where the Heartstopper universe is set.
Connor says it is important for audiences to witness this on-screen representation, “wherever we are in the world and whatever the powers that be are doing”.
He adds that “making a show or film like Heartstopper will forever be important”.
Netflix has confirmed through its media site that the film will be available in several territories where homosexuality is criminalised.
The 22-year-old, who rose to fame in the TV adaptation of His Dark Materials, also had a key role in Elton John biopic Rocketman.
He says he was forced to come out as bisexual, after social media speculation, when Heartstopper’s first series was released in 2022.
“Heartstopper in its very existence has [always] been this beautiful and powerful message about queer joy and humanity,” Connor continues.
“These characters happen to be queer and incredibly happy about it, living their lives in the way they want to,” he adds.
The final instalment of the Heartstopper saga was originally set to be released as a fourth series, but despite a shorter running time, each individual’s storyline is still handled with care.
The film explores conversations around eating disorders, mental health, alcohol dependency and difficult family dynamics.
Locke and Connor are also both producers for this final chapter, which Connor says allowed them to “be the creative input and mouthpiece for the cast” who “all care about these characters and the story”.
Locke, 22, jokes that a lot of the time people are just handed producer credits, but clarifies “we actually put some effort in and took it seriously”.
There is some sadness though at saying goodbye to each other in a professional sense, with Locke noting that the show has “changed my life in pretty much every way”.
“It’s the biggest thing that will ever happen to any of us,” Connor adds.
“I value Joe as a friend, if we work together again that’s great but he’s a great actor and I love watching his work,” he says.
‘Letting the outside world in’
Locke, who has gone on to star in Marvel spin-off Agatha All Along, and make debuts on both Broadway and the West End, got the role of Charlie by responding to an open casting call.
More than 10,000 people applied through this process, with the majority of the show’s leads arriving as newcomers including Locke, William Gao (Tao Xu), Tobie Donovan (Isaac Henderson), Corinna Brown (Tara Jones), Kizzy Edgell (Darcy Olsson) and Rhea Norwood (Imogen Heaney).
Youth-focused shows with mostly unknown cast members such as Off Campus and Heated Rivalry have hit the big-time in 2026, serving as a reminder to streamers of the importance of giving new actors a chance.
Locke is animated when asked about whether he hopes more producers will follow Heartstopper’s casting process, noting: “I think this industry is still run in a very closed doors way.”
“There’s so much talent out there, so finding ways to open the industry to more people is important, because you can’t create content that reflects the outside world if you’re not letting the outside world in,” he explains.
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5 October 2024
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