Heartstopper fans should add star's little-known mystery thriller to their watchlists

A Heartstopper star is fronting a new British mystery thriller that's worlds away from his Netflixrole.

Joe Locke, who plays Charlie Spring in the teen show, stars in new Wales-based drama Black Church Bay.

Written and directed by newcomer Rhys Marc Jones, the thriller follows a teacher whose life spirals out of control following an intimate affair with a much-younger man.

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An IMDb synopsis states: "In a remote Welsh coastal village, the disappearance of an openly-gay sixth form student disrupts the delicate balance of local life for one deputy head teacher, exposing long-buried secrets and threatening to tear the community apart."

The film has now wrapped up filming in Anglesey, North Wales, according to Screen Daily.

Locke isn't the only familiar face leading the thriller, he is joined by House of the Dragon star Julian Lewis Jones, and BAFTA winner Rakie Ayola.

Netflix fans will recognise the Welsh actress from the Jeff Goldblum-fronted comedy series Kaos.

According to Screen Daily, director Jones said: "I’m immensely grateful to my long-time creative partners, cinematographer Lasse Ulvedal Tolbøll and designer Paix Robinson as well as all the new relationships fostered over the last few months that helped me realise this ambitious script."

"We’re excited to show audiences the exquisite Isle of Anglesey in a way it’s never been seen before," added the writer-director.

Locke made his acting debut in Heartstopper, in which he plays a teenage boy navigating everything from his sexuality to mental health struggles. He stars opposite Kit Connor, who portrays his on-screen love interest Nick Nelson.

The teen drama was adapted from Alice Oseman's beloved graphic novels. It is set to come to an end in 2026, with the feature-length film titled Heartstopper Forever.

Looking forward to the end of this narrative, Oseman gave some insight into what viewers can expect.

She told Netflix: "I think this movie will explore what makes love survive, or what elevates it, or deepens it.

"At 18 and 17, Nick and Charlie are hurtling towards their adult lives. Many teenage relationships don’t survive that pivotal moment of change."

Heartstopper is currently streaming on Netflix