'Heartstopper' Star Joe Locke Says the Show's Movie Finale Is 'A Really Nice Closing Chapter'

Joe Locke, who plays Charlie on the global Netflix hit "Heartstopper," says that the show's final chapter – a movie to cap its three seasons – is coming along nicely.

"It's going great, we're almost two-thirds of the way through shooting now, and everything, touch wood, is going well," Locke said in comments to the BBC, Deadline relayed.

Added the openly gay "Agatha All Along" actor: "We're having a great time doing it, it's a really nice closing chapter of the story."

Charlie is one-half of a queer high school couple, with his boyfriend being popular bisexual jock Nick (Kit Connor, who identifies as bi in real life as well).

Like the graphic novels by Alice Oseman, the show – which Oseman created and writes – centers around a group of friends that also represent a cross-section of human sexuality. In addition to Charlie and Nick, the cast of characters are rounded out by Elle (Yasmin Finney), a young transwoman, and Tao (William Gao), her straight, cisgender boyfriend; lesbian couple Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell); Nick's ex, the questioning Imogen (Rhea Norwood); and Isaac, who is asexual and aromantic, but who nonetheless develops a close friendship with James (Bradley Riches).

The show eschews graphic content, unlike some other popular teen dramas, and shatters myths and stereotypes about queer people. The result is a sympathetic – and realistic – portrayal of youths navigating romantic relationships and exploring their identities.

Oseman "is back as writer of the feature film, which will draw from the upcoming sixth and final volume of the graphic novel," Deadline detailed earlier this year, before adding that Locke and Connor are executive producing the film, which is being directed by Wash Westmoreland.

"I am completely overjoyed that we will get to tell the end of the 'Heartstopper' story," Deadline quoted Oseman saying. "I cannot wait to bring this story to a magical conclusion."

In a release, Netflix spilled some tea about the film's storyline. "Nick and Charlie are inseparable," the streamer teased, "but with Nick preparing to leave for university and Charlie finding new independence at school, the reality of a long-distance relationship begins to weigh on them. Doubts take hold, and their relationship faces its biggest challenge yet."

"Meanwhile, their friends are also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on."

The decision to end the series with a film comes after the series shed viewers over the course of its run. However, the show still has a devoted fan base.

Another uncertainty regarding a fourth season was the availability of breakout stars Locke and Connor, whose careers have both exploded since the show's premiere in 2022. Following his role in the Disney+ series "Agatha All Along," Spring is slated to return to the MCU in a "Young Avengers" series titled "Champions."

Connor, meanwhile, has racked up a number of roles, including a starring part in Alex Garland's movie "Warfare." He also stars in the Katherine Fairfax Wright romantic drama "A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow" and Stefan van de Graaff's horror thriller "One of Us." Garland is also reportedly considering Connor to star in his film adaptation of the video game "Elden Ring."