Heartstopper’s Joe Locke Finds New Gay Connection with Ruaridh Mollica in “Clarkston”

Image Credits: Instagram, @joelocke03 (left) | Instagram, @ruaridhmollica (right)

While Netflix’s beloved teen romance Heartstopper is set to conclude with a feature-length film, its breakout star Joe Locke is already embarking on a compelling new chapter, reports Queerty.

This fall, Locke will make his West End debut in Samuel D. Hunter’s romantic drama Clarkston, sharing the stage with acclaimed Scottish queer actor Ruaridh Mollica. The casting of two openly gay actors in the lead roles is already generating significant buzz, promising a nuanced and authentic portrayal of queer connection.

Directed by Jack Serio, Clarkston introduces us to Jake (Locke), a young man from a privileged Connecticut background who, after a Huntington’s disease diagnosis, journeys westward to reconnect with his distant ancestor, William Clark.

His path leads him to a night shift at a Costco in rural Clarkston, Washington. It’s there, amidst the mundane backdrop of a warehouse superstore, that Jake encounters Chris (Mollica), and an immediate spark ignites.

Chris, an aspiring writer, is burdened by his mother’s addiction and dreams of escaping his small town. In Jake, he finds a “kindred soul,” and their complex yet profound connection awakens both men to greater possibilities.

Hunter, the prolific American playwright known for his work on the Oscar-winning film The Whale, expresses his excitement for the production, stating that while the play draws from themes of the vast American West and colonial history, it is fundamentally “a story about love and friendship in the midst of an unknown future.” The play will also feature Welsh TV star Sophie Melville in a supporting role.

The excitement surrounding Clarkston is amplified by the presence of its two compelling leads. Joe Locke, celebrated for his role as Charlie Spring in Heartstopper, has already proven his theatrical prowess with a Broadway debut in Sweeney Todd in 2024. He expressed his eagerness to return to the stage for Clarkston, calling it a “deeply human and honest” play.

Ruaridh Mollica, on the other hand, made a significant breakthrough with the Sundance sex worker drama Sebastian, a role he credited with helping him embrace his queerness. Clarkston further cements his status as a rising star, especially given his upcoming appearance in another Marvel TV project, Vision Quest.

Adding an intriguing layer to the casting, both Locke and Mollica have ties to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Locke’s character in Agatha All Along was eventually revealed to be Billy Maximoff, one of Vision and the Scarlet Witch’s twin sons.

 

Mollica is reportedly playing a new character named “Tucker” in the upcoming Disney+ series Vision Quest, a spin-off of WandaVision. Given the potential for crossover, speculation is rife that Mollica’s character could be Tommy, Billy’s super-fast brother.

 

If Locke and Mollica indeed end up playing super-powered siblings in the Marvel Universe while portraying lovers in Clarkston, it will undoubtedly add another fascinating dimension to the play’s already high anticipation.

As Clarkston prepares for its West End premiere this fall, audiences are eagerly awaiting further details on dates and venue. This production is set to be a hot ticket, not only for its poignant story but for the genuine talent and powerful representation brought by its lead actors.