Joe Locke finally reveals the real reason behind Heartstopper ending with a film (& it works in the fans’ favor)

In April 2025, Netflix announced that Heartstopper would not be getting a fourth and final season; instead, it will conclude with a feature film. The announcement drew mixed reactions from the audience, who wanted a full-length season to see how Nick and Charlie would have their happily ever after.

Joe Locke, who plays Charlie in the romantic comedy drama, has opened up about the reason behind Netflix’s decision. The actor stated that making a feature film benefits the show, as the actors have all become busy with their careers and would not have been able to commit to filming an entire season. Locke mentioned in an interview with The Playlist:

“We are all in such different places. From the moment we filmed the first season, and in our careers, and everyone’s so busy, which is great, it means everyone’s being successful and doing things.”

“I think the time it would’ve taken to film a series, we just wouldn’t have been able to get everyone in the same place for five years. Then by that time, there would be no need for it.”

Joe Locke reveals that the star cast being busy is the reason why Heartstopper is ending with a film

Joe Locke stated that turning the final season of Heartstopper into a film was the only way the cast and crew could finish the series, as they are all currently engaged in different projects. Filming a movie takes less time than shooting an eight-episode season, so Netflix made the right decision call:

“So, we realized that the only way to get it made this year is if we do a film because it’s less time commitment, and well, we can still put in a lot of the same love and care into the characters, into finishing off the story.”

Locke further discussed the advantages of a Heartstopper film, stating that it would make the show’s conclusion more cinematic and grand:

“And it’s also, it’s a really nice chapter closer. It makes it feel more cinematic, more grand, and gives it the ending it deserves, which I am really excited to start shooting. And the script is great.”

The actor concluded by saying that the film’s production will begin soon. Locke’s comments are actually good news for fans who were disappointed that the hit series did not receive a proper send-off with a fourth season.

With a film, at least we get to see a satisfying culmination of Nick and Charlie’s story. Furthermore, Locke’s statement is sensible, as both he and Kit Connor, who portrays Nick, have risen to stardom since their debut on Heartstopper. Locke has joined the MCU as Billy Maximoff, also known as Wiccan, having debuted the role in Disney+’s Agatha All Along.

Connor, on the other hand, was recently seen in the film Warfare and is now working on projects like A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow and One of Us. Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel of the same name, Heartstopper tells the story of two teenagers who meet in high school and fall in love.

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The show has been praised for its honest portrayal of LGBTQ romance and the struggles faced by the community. The upcoming finale film will be based on Oseman’s graphic novel Volume 6, which has yet to be released.

Heartstopper Seasons 1 to 3 are streaming on Netflix.

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