NThe countdown for Heartstopper season 3 is officially on, which means new details about the hit Netflix show are popping up every day. The latest comes from Joe Locke, one of the series’ leading men, who’s dishing about the show’s more mature nature this upcoming season.
In a new interview with Variety, Joe Locke opened up about criticism that the show, written and created by Alice Oseman, portrays LGBTQ+ teen romance rather demurely, especially when it pertains to Locke’s character Charlie and his on-screen romantic interest Nick, played by Kit Connor. The wholesomeness, though comforting for some, has also served as inspiration for countless memes and jokes, which Locke acknowledges the cast also partakes in.
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“We also as a cast have made those jokes many times,” Locke told Variety. “I mean, we always joke that if it was actually real, they’d be in the bathroom just… yeah.”
Locke continued saying that “the mushy part became old hat” as he and Connor “were doing kissing scenes every day.” He added: “We were like, ‘Right, come here — let’s do it.’”
Locke also got candid about what to expect from Charlie and Nick in Heartstopper season 3, admitting that “the show is growing up.” While the first half of season 3 will center on Charlie’s struggles with an eating disorder, the latter half will tell a different story. “The second half of the season is about sex,” Locke said. “[It’s] almost like being in Season 1 again with the first-ever kissing scene. Me and Kit are so comfortable with each other, but it’s still a vulnerable thing to do.”
As for the first, more serious half of the season, Alice Oseman said Locke was actually more than ready to tackle it, as he “always had so much respect for that aspect of Charlie’s story.” Locke added: “The not-fun content is almost the most fun stuff to do. What I love about Alice’s writing is she can cover quite hard topics, but you always know that it’s going to be OK.”
Season 3 of Heartstopper will hit Netflix on October 3, 2024. You can learn all about the upcoming season, including information on new cast members and first-look clips, here.
