Joe Locke on Why Heartstopper Is Ending With a Movie, Gives Filming Update

With Netflix’s fan-favorite coming-of-age franchise, Heartstopper, nearing its end, actor Joe Locke has come out to shed light on why the creators chose to conclude the show with a movie instead of a drawn-out season. The series has so far spanned three seasons and will now bid adieu to the fans with a feature-length film. In the build-up to the release of the franchise’s final installment, Locke, who portrays Charlie Spring, has explained the decision to end Heartstopper with a movie, while also teasing its release date.

Joe Locke explains why Heartstopper had to end with a movie

In a recent discussion, Joe Locke, whose last on-screen appearance occurred in Marvel’s Agatha All Along series, revealed that the choice to conclude Heartstopper with a movie is not a creative one and, instead, has more to do with the crew’s packed schedule. He also noted that they will begin shooting the said film “very soon,” hinting at a 2026 premiere for the project.

While speaking with The Playlist, Locke noted, “I think the time it would’ve taken to film a series, we just wouldn’t have been able to get everyone in the same place for five years. Then by that time, there would be no need for it. So, we realized that the only way to get it made this year is if we do a film because it’s less time commitment, and well, we can still put in a lot of the same love and care into the characters, into finishing off the story.”

Joe Locke then doubled down on the perks of ending Heartstopper with a movie, stating, “It makes it feel more cinematic, more grand, and gives it the ending it deserves, which I am really excited to start shooting. And the script is great.”

The Children’s and Family Emmy Awards nominee also claimed that the team will “start shooting [the project] very soon.” While Locke’s statements do not provide much information regarding the release date of the Heartstopper movie, if the filming phase commences sooner rather than later, fans can expect a 2026 premiere for the much-awaited feature.

Source: Comingsoon.net