Joe Locke, the breakout star from Netflix’s Heartstopper, has shared his thoughts on his rising fame and his role in Marvel’s upcoming series Agatha All Along. In this show, he portrays a compelling gay character known simply as “Teen.”
Locke, who made his acting debut in Heartstopper, a coming-of-age love story between two boys, is excited to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He will appear alongside well-known queer icons like Aubrey Plaza, Patti LuPone, and Sasheer Zamata. Regarding his role, Locke told Variety, “Being in a Marvel series is the most ‘pinch me’ thing.”
At just 20 years old, Locke is already making a significant impact in the film industry as an LGBTQ icon. He quickly earned respect on the set of Agatha All Along, even correcting co-star Kathryn Hahn when she mistakenly referred to him as a “gorgeous wizard” among witches, insisting that they were all witches.
Although there has been speculation that Locke might be playing Wiccan, the son of Wanda Maximoff, he confirmed that his character is named “Teen.” The character is openly gay, which adds depth to the story. Locke emphasized that while the show embraces his character’s queerness, it is just one aspect of who he is. “His sexuality is just one part of the character,” he explained.
Locke auditioned eight times before landing the role in the MCU. Initially, he thought he would need to bulk up for the role, but instead, he was asked to maintain his lean figure.
When the trailer for Agatha All Along was released, some fans reacted negatively, expressing homophobic sentiments. Locke responded to this backlash, saying, “It really annoyed me because I was like, ‘You can’t ask for authentic casting and then be upset if you have a camp character.’” He acknowledged that joining the Marvel franchise comes with high expectations, but he appreciates the opportunity to portray his character authentically.
Agatha All Along is set to premiere on September 18, 2024, with the first two episodes available on Disney+. Meanwhile, the third season of Heartstopper will be released in October, keeping Locke busy as he navigates his newfound fame.
Related topics:
