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‘Heartstopper Forever’ stars Kit Connor, Joe Locke talk series’ lasting impact

Joe Locke as Charlie Spring and Kit Connor as Nick Nelson in ‘Heartstopper Forever.’ (Netflix)

Heartstopper Forever, the movie conclusion to the popular Netflix teen romance series, is ready to make core memories.

The film, based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, follows Kit Connor’s Nick Nelson and Joe Locke’s Charlie Spring as they grapple with what happens to their relationship after Nick leaves for university.

As their characters look toward the future, Connor and Locke are reflecting on what the series has meant to fans of all ages. Locke tells ABC Audio he’s feeling “very grateful” looking back on a “whirlwind of five years,” while Connor acknowledges being part of something so beloved doesn’t happen often as an actor.

“In fact, quite rarely … you get to be part of something that really seems to have a genuine impact on people beyond just sort of liking a show or being entertained by a show,” Connor tells ABC Audio. “There’s … a genuine impact on people’s lives that seems to have occurred, and I think no matter who you are, to be involved in that is a privilege and an honor.”

Heartstopper has grown up with its actors, with the film striking a more mature tone in its portrayal of sex, mental health issues, teenage relationship growing pains, and LGBTQIA+ identity and trans rights.

But in true Heartstopper fashion, there is, of course, a happily ever after. And since the title includes the word “Forever,” how do the stars hope it lives on?

“I hope it continues to make people happy when they watch it,” Locke says.

Connor adds, “I think that if it makes people feel comfortable, feel safe, feel inspired, feel brave — if it continues to do that, then I think we’ll be in good stead.” 

If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye just yet, Netflix is airing the behind-the-scenes special Heartstopper: Ending on a Hi on July 24.

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Protester escorted out, placed in handcuffs after incident at city meeting to discuss Royals downtown stadium agreement

Click here for updates on this story    KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) -- Tensions boiled over at the Kansas City Finance Committee Meeting Tuesday as the public met with city officials to discuss public financing of the new Kansas City Royals downtown ballpark.Members of the public were each given two minutes to speak while the committee discussed an ordinance that, if passed, would authorize the City Manager to execute a lease, non-relocation agreement, community impact partnership agreement, and funding agreement with the Kansas City Royals for the proposed stadium near Crown Center.During the meeting, individuals with the group Stand Up KC, part of Missouri Workers Power, were seen standing in the committee room in protest of the public financing portion of the agreement.Video shows one individual in a red shirt shout comments about justice during the meeting. When security intervened and attempted to escort the individual out of the room, a struggle ensued.That struggle continued into the hallway outside of the city council chamber. KMBC 9 News Reporter Krista Tatschl watched as the individual was wrestled to the ground and placed into handcuffs.Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas exited the chambers during the struggle. Krista Tatschl caught up with him in the hallway. He told KMBC 9 News that he hoped public comment could continue and that cooler heads could prevail.This is not the first time tempers have flared at a meeting discussing the new Kansas City Royals stadium. A meeting in July ended early after repeated disruptions.Less than an hour later, the measure passed out of committee unanimously and will head to the full City Council on September 3.Missouri Workers Power issued a statement shortly after the passage identifying the individual as Darrell Miller, who works at the stadium but not employed by the Royals."Security pinned him to the ground and handcuffed him as he told them he could not breathe. The Council continued its fast-track of an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a lease, funding, and development agreement for a stadium at Crown Center," a spokesperson said in the statement."Miller came to the hearing today, along with other Missouri Workers Power members, to speak against a deal that would commit $600 million in public money to a billionaire's stadium while Kansas City cuts transit, schools, and housing. Instead of being heard, he was taken into custody."Missouri Workers Power condemns the council’s decision to move forward with public financing for the project without a public vote. When you add state incentives, the total public cost of this stadium could exceed $1.5 billion over 30 years while Kansas City faces a $100 million budget shortfall, underfunded schools, a transit system in crisis, and a housing shortage working families can't afford."The group said the passage of today's ordinance "ignores the more than 4,500 Kansas Citians who signed a citizens' initiative petition demanding a public vote," adding that Miller was one of the individuals who signed that petition.Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.
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