Heartstopper: How similar do the cast think they are to their characters?

Words: Alastair James; pictures: Jordan Rossi

The cast of Netflix’s adaptation of Heartstopper had an unenviable task of bringing Alice Oseman’s beloved characters to life. 

But Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Yasmin Finney, and Will Gao seem to have been ideally cast in their respective roles as Charlie, Nick, Elle, and Tao. The same can also be said of the whole cast of the series. Even Nellie the dog!

As the cast appear on the cover of the Attitude May/June issue, discuss how similar they are to their fictional counterparts, and we’re sure fans will agree that the casting was pretty spot on…

Joe Locke – Charlie Spring

Joe wears blazer, shirt, trousers and shoes all by Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello (Photography: Jordan Rossi; Fashion: Joseph Kocharian; Hair and Make up for Joe, Kit, and Will by Sven Bayerbach at Carole Hayes using M.A.C. Cosmetics and Bumble And Bumble; Grooming Assistant: Vivi Melo; Fashion Assistants: Sacha Dance, Bella Azura Dupee)

Describe your character in five words or less.

Kind, caring, loving but sensitive.

Are you similar to your character?

Charlie has such a kind soul. He’s a genuinely nice guy who cares so much about the people around him. Although he is introverted, he has a quiet confidence that I really admire — I could never join a rugby team because someone I liked was in it!

Kit Connor – Nick Nelson 

Kit wears jacket and trousers both by Moschino, shirt by Muubaa at ASOS and trainers by Adidas (Photography: Jordan Rossi; Fashion: Joseph Kocharian; Hair and Make up for Joe, Kit, and Will by Sven Bayerbach at Carole Hayes using M.A.C. Cosmetics and Bumble And Bumble; Grooming Assistant: Vivi Melo; Fashion Assistants: Sacha Dance, Bella Azura Dupee)

Describe Nick in five words or less.

Warm, moral, and yet conflicted.

Are you similar to Nick?

Nick goes through a lot of internal conflict dealing with expectations from himself and those around him. He attempts to overcome these and to accept himself. That’s something that I think everyone can relate to. 

Yasmin Finney – Elle Argent

Yasmin wears jacket top, skirt, and earrings all by Moschino, necklace, stylist’s own and ring by Christian Dior, shoes by Schuh (Photography: Jordan Rossi; Fashion: Joseph Kocharian; Yasmin’s hair by Silas Maiden; Yasmin’s makeup by Emily Wood at A-Frame Agency using Danessa Myricks; Fashion Assistants: Sacha Dance, Bella Azura Dupee)

Describe Elle in five words or less.

I don’t think words could ever describe how AMAZING Elle is, but if I had to they would be: courageous, bodacious, optimistic and self-assured.

Are you similar to Elle?

Where do I begin… What I like about Elle is that she’s just so unapologetic and she doesn’t feel upset about what society thinks about her. She’s so self-assured, especially at 17, and I resonate with that so much as I started transitioning at 16 and even though I was bullied as soon as I put on my school skirt, all the fears just went away. I was living my truth, just like Elle.

Will Gao – Tao Xu

Will wears shirt by Nanushka (Photography: Jordan Rossi; Fashion: Joseph Kocharian; Hair and Make up for Joe, Kit, and Will by Sven Bayerbach at Carole Hayes using M.A.C. Cosmetics and Bumble And Bumble; Grooming Assistant: Vivi Melo; Fashion Assistants: Sacha Dance, Bella Azura Dupee)

Describe Tao in five words or less.

Caring, opinionated, stubborn, thoughtful, shit-scared.

Are you similar to Tao?

I like how Tao says what he thinks — something I don’t do enough. And I think we share the same desire to experiment aggressively with our hair…

Heartstopper premieres on Netflix on 22 April 2022. The Attitude May/June issue featuring the cast of Heartstopper is out now.