Heartstopper’s Joe Locke shares what he wants next for Charlie and Nick in possible season two
The 18-year-old says he's "excited" to see what could be in store for the young couple.
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude; Image: Netflix
Heartstopper has been the word on the everyone’s lips since the adorable LGBTQ teen series premiered on Netflix in April, and now show star Joe Locke has revealed what he’d like to see from Charlie and Nick in a potential season two.
Locke, 18, who appears alongside his Heartstopper co-stars Kit Connor, Yasmin Finney and William Gao on the cover Attitude May/June issue, told British GQ about his thoughts for a possible follow-up series based on Alice Oseman’s hit graphic novels.
Asked what he’d like to happen next for his character Charlie and now-official boyfriend Nick (played by Kit Connor), Locke replied: “I’m excited for them. If we get another season (fingers crossed), I’m looking forward to seeing how they develop as a couple. There are three more graphic novels too!”
The rising star continued: “In the next graphic novel, Charlie struggles with his mental health and I’d love to explore that more. I think a lot of mental health and eating disorder shows tackle mental health in a way that is hard-hitting and really dark, but I’d love to come at these issues from a lighter place.
“I don’t know how Alice does it. This is why I am not a writer. I just read the lines on the page. She’s so good at writing about really complex issues through a brighter lens.”
While a second season of Heartstopper is yet to be announced by Netflix, series creator Alice Oseman has confirmed that future episodes would move onto volume three of the graphic novel series and potentially deal with themes of mental health as well as a romance between two teachers.
Heartstopper has won critical acclaim and plenty of hearts for its warm and positive portrayal of young queer love – something Locke also reflected on in his British GQ interview.
“I really relate to Charlie and his experiences a lot too,” says the out gay actor. “There are a lot of stories about coming out, but there are not as many stories about the actual queer experience post-coming out and how just because you’re out, doesn’t mean everything is magically better.
“Charlie’s experience with settling for a love that isn’t necessarily what he deserves is pretty universal for queer people. I think there are a lot of queer people who just accept what they get because they’ve told themselves they don’t deserve better.
Heartstopper is so great at being like, “Queer people deserve real love. Queer people deserve a love that actually is fulfilling.” Heartstopper is a real celebration of queer love.
Locke also quipped that should a second season be confirmed, he’ll up be pilfering more of Charlie’s costumes from the wardrobe department.
Asked he kept any of Charlie’s “impressive” tie collection from season one, the British star replied: “I kept a few! I’ve got my ties under my bed at home right now, actually. I also stole Charlie’s Converse.
“If we get a season two, I will definitely be taking buckets of ties home from the set.”
Heartstopper is streaming on Netflix now. The Attitude May/June issue is out now.
