‘Heartstopper’ Star Joe Locke to Make London West End Debut With Samuel D. Hunter’s ‘Clarkston’

Joe Locke, the Emmy-nominated star of Netflix’s “Heartstopper” and Marvel’s “Agatha All Along,” is set to make his London West End debut this fall in the U.K. premiere of “Clarkston,” a play by Samuel D. Hunter, the writer behind the Oscar-winning “The Whale.”

The production, presented by Oliver Roth and LD Entertainment, will star Locke opposite Ruaridh Mollica (“Sebastian,” “The Franchise”) and Sophie Melville (“The Way,” “Iphigenia in Splott”). Jack Serio, the Drama Desk and Obie award-winning director who helmed the acclaimed Loft production of “Uncle Vanya,” will direct.

“Clarkston” follows Jake, a man on a journey west to rediscover himself, who unexpectedly meets Chris, a kindred soul working the night shift at a Costco in rural America. As their friendship deepens, they embark on an adventure inspired by explorers Lewis and Clark, searching for new meaning in their lives.

“I’m thrilled to be making my West End debut in ‘Clarkston,'” Locke said. “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.”

Hunter added: “I couldn’t be more excited to bring ‘Clarkston’ to London audiences, especially with this phenomenal cast and creative team. I’ve always adored the U.K.’s theatre scene, so being able to share this play with audiences in the West End is truly a dream come true.”

The playwright described “Clarkston” as drawing “from themes of the vast and isolated American West and the colonial past of the United States, but it’s fundamentally a story about love and friendship in the midst of an unknown future, which is a pretty universal story these days.”

Locke shot to international fame with his breakthrough performance as Charlie Spring in “Heartstopper,” earning an Emmy nomination for outstanding lead performance at the children’s and family Emmy Awards in 2022. He recently starred in Disney+/Marvel’s “Agatha All Along” alongside Kathryn Hahn and Aubrey Plaza, earning a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination. On stage, he won the best professional debut award at the WhatsOnStage Awards in 2023 for “The Trials” at the Donmar Warehouse and made his Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

Mollica was shortlisted for the BIFA 2024 breakthrough performance for his role in “Sebastian,” which premiered at Sundance. His TV credits include HBO’s “The Franchise” and Netflix’s “Witness Number 3” and “Red Rose.”

Melville’s breakthrough came with “Iphigenia in Splott” at the Lyric Hammersmith, earning her The Stage Award for acting excellence. Recent credits include James Graham’s “The Way” for BBC One and “Cowbois” at the RSC/Royal Court.

Hunter’s previous works include “The Whale,” which earned him Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Awards, and “A Case for the Existence of God,” which won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for best play. The film adaptation of “The Whale,” starring Brendan Fraser and directed by Darren Aronofsky, won two Oscars including best actor and was nominated for a BAFTA for best adapted screenplay.

Producer Oliver Roth, founder of OHenry Productions and a Tony and Olivier Award winner, has previously produced West End hits including “Sunset Blvd.” and “The Inheritance,” as well as Broadway productions like “Merrily We Roll Along” and “Parade.”

LD Entertainment, a five-time Tony Award-winning studio, has produced over 30 acclaimed stage productions including “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Hadestown,” and “Company,” alongside over 40 films including the Academy Award-nominated “Judy” and “Jackie.”

The production will have a strictly limited run this fall in London’s West End.