Joe Locke to Make West End Debut in ‘Clarkston’
Nothing makes us happier than seeing a talented young queer actor get the opportunities he truly deserves, and Joe Locke is doing just that. Best known (and beloved) as Charlie Spring in Heartstopper, Locke has been steadily proving that he’s far more than just a breakout star. He’s a complete actor—charming, versatile, and grounded—and now he’s set to make his West End debut this fall in the UK premiere of Clarkston, a play by Pulitzer Prize winner Samuel D. Hunter.
Following a whirlwind couple of years that included his Broadway debut in Sweeney Todd and a spell in the Marvel universe with Agatha All Along, Locke is now returning to home turf to take on one of his most intimate roles yet. Taking the stage in London feels like a natural next step, and one that solidifies his growing reputation as a serious, stage-ready talent.
In Clarkston, Locke will star as Jake, a young man who escapes his life in Connecticut—and the weight of a devastating diagnosis—for a job at a Costco in rural Clarkston, Washington. There, he meets Chris (played by Ruaridh Mollica), a fellow worker who might just be a kindred spirit. Sophie Melville also stars, with Jack Serio (Grangeville, Uncle Vanya) directing. The play will premiere this fall in London, with dates and venue still to be announced.
Hunter’s work has long struck a chord with LGBTQ+ audiences, and Clarkston is no exception. It’s a story about isolation, unexpected connection, and finding love and friendship when the future feels uncertain. Like much of Hunter’s writing, it balances quiet intimacy with big emotional truths, and offers a rare kind of tenderness on stage that we don’t see nearly enough.
“I’m thrilled to be making my West End debut in Clarkston,” Locke said in a statement. “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, “This play draws 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.”
Hunter, whose 2012 play The Whale became an Oscar-winning film starring Brendan Fraser, is on the cusp of a Broadway debut with Little Bear Ridge Road. His works—including Greater Clements, A Case for the Existence of God, and Grangeville—have earned him a reputation for writing emotionally raw, character-driven stories that often center queer experiences.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Joe Locke has everything it takes to be a massive star. Watching him step into bigger and bolder roles is a total pleasure, and we can’t wait to see him take the West End by storm.
Fans can sign up now for priority access to tickets at clarkstonplay.co.uk. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Image via Getty Images. Photo by Francois Durand
