It only took two weeks after Heartstopper’s premiere in 2022 for Joe Locke to gain 2 million followers on his Instagram (grown since to 3.6M). Much like previous hit shows on Netflix like Outer Banks and Stranger Things, the series turned him and his fellow costars into overnight stars. Even with an incredibly passionate fan base already behind the project thanks to Alice Oseman’s beloved webcomic of the same name, things grew bigger than the cast could have ever imagined as the whole world tuned in to see the sweet series that also gave Joe his first official role in Charlie Spring.
The series felt like an incredible celebration of LGBTQIA+ representation, finally giving viewers something hopeful and light after years of fighting for stories that were more than just about coming out. As the series progressed and the characters grew older, it also shed light on other issues like Charlie’s OCD and anorexia, giving more depth to its characters and a new platform for issues that were often saved for after-school specials or used for darker dramatic effect like in fellow British TV series Skins. For his performance in season 3, Joe also took home his first Emmy Award, even beating out costar Kit Connor.
But the world soon changed. LGBTQIA+ rights that once seemed locked in via life-changing legislation were suddenly being challenged again. Now in its final goodbye to viewers, Heartstopper Forever—a film that adapts the sixth and final volume of Alice’s comics series—feels more important and needed than ever, a note that even Joe brings up in our conversation a few days before the movie’s big premiere on the streamer.
“I’m also manifesting the world turns around from this hellscape that it is in at the moment and becomes a better place,” he says candidly.
Cosmopolitan caught up with the actor to chat about his final moments as Charlie, finding his own voice through the character, and looking toward the future of his career.
Petros
It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years since Heartstopper first aired. What is it like knowing that you’re near the end of this journey?
It’s really strange. It feels almost like we’re just doing a normal press tour for the next season and then there’ll be another one after this, because there always is. I think it might hit me tomorrow—we have our premiere—and I think that looking around at everyone, it will probably hit me then.
This show has always felt timely, and the impact that it’s had on the fans—especially ones who grew up on the series—is very evident. What kind of impact has that made on you?
The greatest honor as an actor is to be a part of something that people genuinely care about. I was with a friend the other day who hadn’t been with me when I’ve been recognized in the street before. Someone came up and told me how much they love the show and how much it meant to them. They walked away, and my friend was like, “Wow.” I’m almost so used to that now, and it was a nice reminder of how special that is. I feel very lucky and grateful to be a part of it. Especially this week, I feel very nostalgic about it all.
You started this role at such a young age. What did it feel like to grow up alongside Charlie?
Heartstopper changed my life in literally every single way. I can’t think of a single thing in my life that would be the same without it. It’s meant that I’m living my dream, doing my dream job. I feel like because of Heartstopper, I’m proud of the person I’ve grown up to be and the morals I have and the way I look at the world and the experiences I’ve had. I feel like it’s also hopefully helped me shape into a good person.
You served as an executive producer on the film. What was it like to get a peek behind the curtain in a new way?
It was really lovely that they asked me and Kit to come on as EPs and it felt like graduation. Heartstopper has always been a very collaborative process. Alice Oseman and Patrick Walters, our writer and exec, have always listened and taken ideas and this just felt like a very natural next step.
It was really great to get sent scripts and feel like we were listened to. Like, Oh wow, that note I gave is now on this page and that’s really cool because now that’s going to go out to the world. Doing the EP role on top of acting has taught me even more about how it all works and the background things that you as an actor—you just show up and do your job—never know or understand.
Petros
Did you feel like you had a special advantage in being able to read ahead in the comics?
The film was especially so nice because we know these characters so well at this point. Alice is there on set every day. We ask them any questions we want and there’s such a huge amount of information about these characters that we as actors had access to.
By the time we did the film, it was all in our bones so much that it was almost like the more time went on, the fewer questions that we asked because we just knew it and our instincts were right.
Charlie and Nick’s lives have been intertwined since season 1, so it was surprising to see many moments of Charlie alone. What was it like explore that dynamic?
It’s a really important part of the film. I think that one of the main messages from the film is self-love and how you need to enjoy your own company before you can commit so much of your time and energy to other people. And I think both Nick and Charlie in the film go on these personal journeys apart and, if anything, that is just to make them stronger as a pair.
The scene between him and Tori certainly feels like a really big light-bulb moment for him. What was it like to have that moment between the Spring siblings?
I love Jenny Walser and her character. Every scene in the film is so specific and for a reason, which is really nice, because there’s no “we have a 30-minute episode to fill.” The sibling relationship between them is so honest and lovely, and that was really special to see.
The show really popped in such an unimaginable way. What was it like navigating a kind of fame that very few experience at such a young age? And how does it affect the projects you want to do in the future?
It definitely took adapting to my life when all of that happened and continues to happen and hopefully will for a long time. But I feel very lucky that I’m now in a position where I can carry a certain amount of weight into the projects that I do. That puts me into a position that not many actors get to be in.
When it first happened, it all happened so fast that I didn’t understand what privacy was. I didn’t understand what sharing too much was. I didn’t understand what my boundaries were with all of that. Over the years, I’ve learned that I’m actually a far more private person than I ever thought I was. And these are just errors that you figure out because there’s no playbook on how you’re supposed to do this. It’s not very common. It doesn’t happen a lot. But it’s been amazing having the rest of the cast to lean on because we’re all going through this weird, unique, amazing experience at the same time that no one else in the world can really relate to 100 percent.
To have those people that are going through the same thing as you and are anxious about it and excited about it at the same time has been a blessing. I don’t think I would have managed nearly as well with the pressure of it if it wasn’t for them.
Petros
You’ve also found your voice in so many different ways, speaking about issues that mean a lot to you. For example, you spoke out about how gay men in your hometown on the Isle of Man were not allowed to donate blood, which caused a repeal on that policy. How has playing Charlie helped you discover your own voice?
I’ve always been a very outspoken person about my opinions. Anyone who knows me will know that I’m not one to shy away from a debate or telling people how I feel about anything. Sometimes to my detriment, but I think I’ve gotten better at deciding when and when not to do that. But within the show, we see Charlie go from being quite timid and shy to being very self-confident and really standing up for what he believes in. I feel like me and Charlie have gone through a very similar journey in that way. I hope I will continue to do that and not be afraid to say what I think.
Thinking about the future: What is something that you’re manifesting?
Okay, I’m manifesting two things. One, right now in my life, I think I’m the happiest and most settled I’ve ever been, so I’m manifesting that carrying on. But also in a higher sense, I’m manifesting that in my career, I manage to carry on doing great projects and things that I enjoy.
And I’m also manifesting the world turning around from this hellscape that it’s in at the moment and becomes a better place.
That is so real! What’s one final message you want to send to fans as we say goodbye to Nick and Charlie’s story?
The show lives on forever on Netflix and in so many other facets, too. I’d say that I don’t think that Nick and Charlie’s story ever will really end.
Photographer: Petros.
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