Joe Locke, the breakout star of Heartstopper and Marvel’s Agatha All Along, is officially heading to London’s West End. The 21-year-old actor is set to star in the UK premiere of Clarkston, a moving play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Samuel D. Hunter.
Locke will take on the lead role of Jake, a young man diagnosed with Huntington’s disease who finds himself in Clarkston, Washington, by accident, after discovering he can no longer drive during a road trip west.
Whilst adjusting to his new surroundings, he meets and forges an unexpected and transformative friendship with Chris, played by rising star Ruaridh Mollica. The cast also features Sophie Melville, known for her powerhouse performance in Iphigenia in Splott.
Directed by Jack Serio—an Obie and Drama Desk award winner also making his West End debut—the production promises raw emotion and intimate storytelling.
“I’m thrilled to be making my West End debut in Clarkston,” Locke shared. “Samuel D Hunter’s writing is so deeply human and honest that I immediately connected with the play when I read it. I can’t wait to bring this beautiful story to life and share it with audiences in London.”
Best known for his role as Charlie Spring in Heartstopper, Locke’s performance earned critical acclaim and a devoted global fanbase. He’s since expanded his acting résumé with a Broadway run in Sweeney Todd and his recent entry into the Marvel universe.
Clarkston is scheduled to open this autumn, with full venue and ticketing details to be announced soon. The play, which originally premiered in the U.S., forms part of Hunter’s broader “Lewiston/Clarkston” project—stories about faith, connection, and modern American life.
For Locke, this latest project marks another bold step in a career defined by emotionally resonant performances and a knack for choosing stories that matter.
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