Heartstopper’s Locke Takes Center Stage in West End Debut

From Netflix to Night Shifts: Star Lands Role in New Play

Following his success in Netflix’s hit series, Joe Locke is set to captivate audiences in London’s West End. He will star in a play that explores the unexpected bonds formed during late-night work.

Key Development

Locke, currently filming the “Heartstopper” movie, will appear in Samuel D Hunter’s play, Clarkston, later this year. The play follows two men in their twenties from different backgrounds who connect while working at Costco.

According to a recent study, workplace friendships can significantly boost employee morale and productivity (Gallup, 2023).

The Allure of Flawed Characters

Locke expressed his enthusiasm for his West End debut, noting the appeal of playing flawed characters… who have a bit of bite.

The play’s writer, Samuel D Hunter, is also known for “The Whale,” which was adapted into a film that garnered an Oscar for Brendan Fraser. Producers plan to open the British production in a West End theatre this autumn.

Synopsis of Clarkston

Set in Clarkston, Washington, the narrative begins with Chris, a Costco employee on the night shift, encountering Jake, a gay man from Connecticut who has Huntington’s disease, a neurological condition. Jake ended up in Clarkston unexpectedly, no longer able to drive during a road trip.

He’s this city boy in a small place, Locke explained, adding, Jake has got so many layers to him that really unravel in the play. A lot of the themes are to do with class and the different experiences of the characters.

Meanwhile, Chris is dealing with a challenging relationship with his mother, who struggles with drug addiction.

Hunter emphasized the play’s focus on friendship and platonic male love, which is something that I feel like we don’t see a lot of on stage and screen. Locke shared a similar sentiment:

“Yeah, one of my favourite things about this play is there’s a scene where these characters almost build on their platonic relationship and get to a romantic level, and they realise that no, the platonic relationship is what’s important, and I think that’s really beautiful.”

—Joe Locke, Actor

Critical Acclaim

Previous productions of “Clarkston,” often performed alongside Hunter’s “Lewiston,” garnered positive reviews.

Hunter drew inspiration from his hometown of Moscow Idaho, intrigued by how the American West is still kind of young since the Louisiana Purchase, noting the juxtaposition of historical markers with modern establishments like Costcos.

Jack Serio will direct the new production, with Ruaridh Mollica and Sophie Melville cast as Chris and his mother.

Before “Heartstopper,” Locke performed at London’s Donmar Warehouse and on Broadway in “Sweeney Todd.”

He calls being a theatre actor the thing I wanted more than anything since childhood. He added:

I’m from the Isle of Man, and my birthday present every year was a trip to London with my mum to watch a few shows, so it’s very full circle to bring my mum to my press night to my West End debut, it’s going to be very exciting.

On shooting the “Heartstopper” film adaptation, Locke stated: It’s going great, we’re almost two thirds of the way through shooting now, and everything, touch wood, is going well. We’re having a great time doing it, it’s a really nice closing chapter of the story.