Joe Locke has spent the past four years growing from an unknown newcomer into one of the most recognizable young actors of his generation. After winning millions of fans as Charlie Spring in Netflix’s Heartstopper and expanding his résumé with Marvel’s Agatha All Along, the 22-year-old now finds himself standing at an exciting crossroads—one where he’s saying goodbye to the role that changed his life while preparing audiences for an entirely new chapter.

That transition was the focus of an intimate conversation hosted by Esquire UK on Thursday evening, where Locke joined culture content creator Josh Osman at Soho House Dean Street in London for an in-depth discussion about Heartstopper Forever, queer storytelling, activism, and the future of his rapidly evolving career.

The event gave fans a rare opportunity to hear Locke reflect candidly on the end of one of Netflix’s most beloved coming-of-age franchises. It also highlighted just how much has changed since the actor first walked into an audition for Heartstopper as an unknown teenager from the Isle of Man.

Back then, few could have predicted the cultural phenomenon that would follow.

Heartstopper debuted in 2022 to overwhelming critical acclaim, quickly becoming one of Netflix’s defining young adult dramas. Adapted from Alice Oseman’s bestselling graphic novels, the series struck a chord with audiences through its hopeful portrayal of queer love, friendship, and mental health.

For Locke, however, the journey wasn’t simply about starring in a successful television series.

It became the foundation of his entire career.

Speaking during the Esquire Sessions event, Locke reflected on the emotional experience of bringing Charlie Spring’s story to its conclusion in Heartstopper Forever, the feature-length finale that replaces what many originally expected to become a fourth season.

Rather than treating the film as simply another chapter, Locke described it as a chance to give Charlie and Nick Nelson’s relationship the cinematic farewell it deserved.

The movie revisits many of the same locations used during the show’s first season, creating an emotional full-circle experience for both the cast and longtime viewers.

For Locke, returning to those familiar sets brought back memories of where everything began.

The locations reminded him just how dramatically both he and the production had evolved over the past four years.

Filming the finale became more than simply completing another project—it became a reflection on an extraordinary journey that transformed the lives of everyone involved.

Throughout the evening, Locke discussed Charlie’s emotional evolution across the series, including the character’s struggles with bullying, self-worth, eating disorders, and ultimately learning to embrace happiness.

Those storylines resonated deeply with viewers around the world, many of whom saw aspects of their own experiences reflected in Charlie’s journey.

Locke acknowledged the significance of that connection while emphasizing that the show’s impact extends well beyond entertainment.

Heartstopper has consistently been praised for presenting LGBTQ+ characters whose identities are celebrated rather than defined solely by hardship.

Instead of focusing exclusively on trauma, the series centered love, friendship, acceptance, and hope.

That optimistic approach helped distinguish it from many earlier queer dramas and contributed significantly to its international success.

Locke admitted that the platform Heartstopper gave him has become something he values enormously.

While he remains outspoken on social and political issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities, he was careful to explain that he doesn’t believe young actors should carry the responsibility of changing society.

In his view, creating meaningful political change remains the job of elected leaders rather than entertainers.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that having a public platform naturally comes with opportunities to advocate for causes he believes in.

Fans have long admired Locke for speaking openly about LGBTQ+ rights, representation, and inclusivity without allowing activism to overshadow his work as an actor.

That balance was evident throughout the discussion.

Rather than positioning himself as a spokesperson, Locke described himself simply as someone willing to use the visibility Heartstopper provided in ways he hopes can positively influence conversations.

The event also looked beyond Heartstopper, highlighting how quickly Locke’s career has expanded since joining Netflix.

Although Charlie Spring remains the role most closely associated with his name, recent years have demonstrated that he’s determined not to be limited to one type of project.

Marvel audiences became familiar with him through Agatha All Along, where he introduced an entirely different side of his acting abilities within the superhero universe.

Now, his upcoming projects suggest an even broader creative ambition.

Among them is Black Church Bay, a psychological mystery thriller that pairs Locke with House of the Dragon actor Tom Cullen.

The project represents a major tonal shift from the warmth and optimism of Heartstopper, allowing Locke to explore darker emotional territory.

While relatively little has been revealed about Black Church Bay’s story, its psychological elements promise a considerably more suspenseful performance from the young actor.

Locke is also attached to Elsinore, a biographical drama centered on acclaimed Scottish actor Ian Charleston.

The film stars Andrew Scott and further demonstrates Locke’s growing interest in prestige dramatic projects.

Working alongside performers such as Scott offers another opportunity for him to continue developing as an actor beyond teen-oriented productions.

It’s a career strategy that many former coming-of-age stars have successfully pursued.

Rather than remaining associated exclusively with youthful roles, Locke appears determined to establish himself across multiple genres before audiences begin to typecast him.

The conversation with Josh Osman also touched on the changing landscape of queer representation in television and film.

Heartstopper arrived during a period when LGBTQ+ stories were becoming increasingly visible across mainstream entertainment, yet it managed to distinguish itself through sincerity rather than sensationalism.

 

Instead of presenting queerness as controversial or tragic, the series normalized it.

That simple creative decision proved remarkably powerful for viewers around the world.

Locke acknowledged that the entertainment industry continues evolving, with more opportunities emerging for diverse voices and authentic storytelling.

However, he also emphasized that progress should never be taken for granted.

The continued importance of projects like Heartstopper lies in ensuring younger audiences continue seeing themselves represented positively on screen.

For many viewers, Charlie and Nick became the kind of characters previous generations rarely had the opportunity to watch growing up.

That legacy appears to be something Locke treasures deeply.

Although Heartstopper Forever closes the story, its influence seems likely to endure for years.

The evening itself formed part of Esquire Sessions, the magazine’s newly launched live event series designed to bring readers closer to influential figures across entertainment, culture, fashion, and current affairs.

Hosted at London’s Soho House Dean Street, the intimate gathering encouraged a relaxed atmosphere where Locke could speak honestly about both his career and personal outlook.

Unlike heavily scripted promotional appearances, the conversation allowed him to reflect thoughtfully on lessons learned since Heartstopper first premiered.

Perhaps the clearest takeaway from the event was that Locke no longer views Heartstopper as the destination of his career.

Instead, he sees it as the beginning.

At just 22 years old, he already boasts a résumé spanning streaming hits, Marvel productions, independent films, and prestigious dramatic collaborations.

Few actors reach that level of diversity so early.

Even so, Locke repeatedly returned to the gratitude he feels toward the project that introduced him to audiences worldwide.

Without Heartstopper, none of the opportunities currently awaiting him would likely have existed.

As Heartstopper Forever continues its successful run on Netflix, fans are celebrating the conclusion of Charlie and Nick’s story while simultaneously looking ahead to everything Joe Locke plans to do next.

Judging by his growing list of ambitious projects—and the confidence he displayed during his Esquire Sessions appearance—that next chapter may prove every bit as exciting as the first.