Hard work and perseverance has paid off for a talented young Manx actor after he was named in one of the two lead roles in a forthcoming TV series.

Joe Locke has been cast as one of the two leads in Heartstoppers, a new series produced by Netflix on the young adult graphic novels written by Alice Oseman.

Joe will star alongside Kit Connor, a fellow young up-and-coming actor who has already appeared in the Elton John biopic Rocketman and the hit TV series His Dark Materials.

The series is based around the relationship of Nick Nelson, played by Kit, a popular Year 11 student with a gentle demeanour who befriends Charlie Spring, played by Joe, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker in the year below.

The series follows the two as they explore their growing feelings for each other and learning to trust their community of friends.

Author and screenwriter Alice Oseman said: ’Nick and Charlie have existed as characters for almost a decade, and are two of my most beloved characters, so I was slightly apprehensive about the casting search, but I am so happy and excited that we’ve cast Kit and Joe. They’re both so talented, sweet, funny, and smart, and so perfect.’

Director Euros Lyn, who has previously directed episodes of Sherlock and Doctor Who, said: ’I can’t imagine a more perfect pair than Kit and Joe to play Nick and Charlie, and bring their joyous love story to life on screen.’

Joe and Kit are to backed up by an impressive supporting cast, including Sebastian Croft, who starred as ’Atti’ in Horrible Histories: The Movie, as well as a young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones.

Joe, who 17, is a well-known teen actor in the island. He has appeared in many productions at the Gaiety and, for the past three years, he has performed in the Youth Arts Theatre group, based at the Kensington Art Centre.

He has played central roles in plays which have gone on to be performed in the UK as part of the Connections National Youth Theatre festival in Bath, Cardiff and Inverness.

David Dawson, who has worked alongside Joe in may of the productions, and directed him for the 2020 Youth Arts production of Dungeness, said that he is delighted that Joe’s talent has landed him this role.

’It has been wonderful working with Joe,’ said David. ’Joe is a very kind hearted and loved young man so to see him achieve this is sensational.

’One of the best parts about working with young people is seeing them develop as actors, gaining new skills and confidence. I’ve been very lucky to work with dedicated students that want to learn. I think it goes to show that we also have an excellent support network on the island that drives and promotes the arts.

’We want as many people to benefit from diverse and well organised art and theatre projects running in island so that people with drive and determination like Joe can use this as a spring board to achieve their goals.

’Sadly Joe was set to star in Shrek with the Douglas Choral Union but had to drop out due to him getting the role with the Netflix, but I couldn’t be happier for him. I look forward to seeing him fly ever higher.’

Filming for Heartstopper will begin later this year, with the show potentially in 2022.