From gentle ‘Heartstopper’ to romantic ‘Romeo,’ Kit Connor wants to show his range

LONDON —

As a young actor navigating the tumultuous world of Hollywood, Kit Connor stands out as a beacon of hope and inspiration for queer youth everywhere. His journey into stardom wasn’t about fame or fortune; it was about being a part of something beautiful and meaningful.

Kit Connor knows people see him as Nick Nelson.

Over the past three years, the 20-year-old British actor has strongly associated with his character on Netflix’s “Heartstopper,” portraying a compassionate teenager who seems to possess an almost supernatural ability to be happy, vulnerable, and generous. However, Connor is not just this role – he experiences ups and downs, just like any other human being, even as he warmly takes on the persona of Nick for several months annually.

Connor muses, lounging comfortably in a south London coffee shop, “I never imagined that stepping into the character of Nick would turn me into someone others might look up to.” He continues, ” Frankly, I’m unsure if a person at my age should be expected to serve as a role model. After all, isn’t it part of being 20 to stumble and grow from those experiences? It’s been quite an intriguing experience for me to navigate through this.

As a movie enthusiast penning my thoughts in early September, I find myself astonished by the transformative makeover sported by none other than Connor in his latest project. Gone are the long locks that once defined him, replaced instead with a sharp, sleek haircut for the filming of “Warfare,” an upcoming production helmed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza. Joining Connor in this cinematic journey are Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, and Cosmo Jarvis. In his own words, Connor describes the experience as extraordinary. The film was lensed during the scorching summer months, following Connor’s fall and winter stint working on the third season of “Heartstopper.

Currently, we’re enjoying the outdoors, right along a moderately busy street, and surprisingly, nobody seems to have noticed us yet. However, such anonymity isn’t common for Connor, especially following the explosion of “Heartstopper” into popular culture.

In his free time, he prefers a tranquil lifestyle. He likes relaxing at a café with a book, lounging on his couch to watch multiple episodes of a series, or visiting the movie theater.

During this tranquil interval, however, things don’t stay that way for long. In just a few days, Connor was all set to jet off to New York, marking the start of his leading role in the upcoming Broadway rendition of “Romeo + Juliet,” directed by Sam Gold. The play’s previews kick off on Thursday, but it has already been prolonged until February. The play’s duration will align with the premiere of the third season of “Heartstopper” on October 3rd.

In the latest installments, there’s a heightened maturity, featuring intricate plotlines for Nick and his partner, Charlie (portrayed by Joe Locke), that challenge them both.

According to Connor, “Nick is just about perfect,” he asserts. He never makes mistakes and his role in the show is like a guardian angel for Charlie. However, it’s crucial to delve into the challenging aspects of this perfection and the pressure it creates for him, which can make for a more engaging storyline for the character this year.

16-year-old Connor, hailing from Croydon, an outlying London borough, tried out for the series “Heartstopper.” Initially, he was considered for the character Charlie, but it seemed that he might be more suited for Nick Nelson, a character introduced in Alice Oseman’s 2014 novel “Solitaire,” which served as the basis for “Heartstopper.” Producers and Oseman herself had seen many older actors for Nick, but they were intrigued by Connor’s potential performance in that role.

According to Oseman, “He’s incredibly genuine in his acting.” You can clearly see all of his emotions on his face. Many actors portrayed Nick as a tough, macho character, but he’s actually more sensitive, delicate, and emotional. Kit Harrington managed to grasp this nuance exceptionally well. Moreover, he closely resembles the comic book version of the character, which was an additional advantage.

In the debut season of “Heartstopper,” viewers were introduced to Nick as a potential romantic interest for the quiet, teenage protagonist Charlie, who is gay and grappling with bullying and self-discovery. As their bond deepened, Nick acknowledged his bisexuality more freely in Season 2, culminating in their romantic relationship. In Season 3, the storyline takes a more imaginative approach, using time skips between episodes and inventive narrative methods. Charlie faces his eating disorder, and Nick learns to offer assistance due to his Aunt Diane (played by Hayley Atwell), a fresh character in the series.

Connor explains that throughout much of the series, Nick seems focused on improving as a boyfriend and support system. However, one may wonder if this is all there is to Nick’s character on the show. As the season progresses, it becomes clear that Nick is more complex than just his love for Charlie, and he needs to start thinking independently.

Oseman points out that while Nick often feels the need to protect and assist Charlie, it’s one of those situations where he can’t solve everything on his own. She adds, “He needs to learn to accept this.” After they’ve gone through a tough period and Charlie no longer requires as much help, Nick realizes, ‘I don’t truly understand who I am outside of my relationship with Charlie.’

In the third season of “Heartstopper,” characters Nick (played by Kit Connor) and Charlie (Joe Locke) face fresh hurdles in their romantic journey, as depicted by Samuel Dore’s photography for Netflix.

Hayley Atwell joins the cast this season as Aunt Diane. (Netflix)

Though the season focuses on Charlie, Oseman says “there is a really big journey for Nick as well.”

A key aspect of the series this season includes the character Diane, stepping into the role previously played by Olivia Colman as Nick’s mother, Sarah. Since Olivia Colman announced she wouldn’t be returning for Season 3, some scenes originally from the graphic novel had to be re-envisioned for the show. One of these scenes is a touching moment where Sarah gives Nick guidance on helping Charlie. Now, Diane takes over in that role. Connor remarked it was a “difficult day” when the cast found out that Colman’s schedule wouldn’t allow filming for “Heartstopper.

He noted, “However, there was an urgent thought, ‘We require someone capable of handling the significant scenes that Olivia’s character would have had this season,'” he explains. “Luckily, we found Hayley Atwell who was a delight to collaborate with and brought a tremendous amount of elegance, ability, and skill to the role.

New addition: In Season 3, Connor frequently appears without a shirt, notably during scenes where Charlie and Nick grow closer in their bedroom. Connor admitted that baring his torso made him uneasy, but he had to wax it every fortnight for the episodes.

He shares, “The experience was quite challenging, yet necessary as I portrayed a 17-year-old character. The narrative this season delves into more mature themes, and it’s crucial for authenticity. What sets ‘Heartstopper’ apart is its pure, innocent love story. However, by Season 3, we wanted to progress the relationship and delve into topics like sexual exploration, which are significant milestones for young people.

On “Heartstopper,” I’ve witnessed Connor bloom into maturity. Despite his years of acting, starting with an Xbox Christmas commercial at age 7 and swiftly following it up with the Christmas movie “Get Santa,” there was a pause in his career due to him no longer being perceived as “cute.

In his past, he experienced an uncomfortable or embarrassing period, leading him to venture into voice-over roles such as Pantalaimon on HBO’s “His Dark Materials.” He seized the opportunity to portray a teenage Elton John in “Rocketman,” but it was his role as Nick that significantly boosted his self-assurance.

Initially, he was more like a mentor for the rest of the cast, according to Oseman. Many younger actors admired him in this role, and he assisted them in navigating what undeniably seemed daunting, confusing, and frightening. He has consistently demonstrated a mature, rational demeanor throughout.

In spring 2022, when the series debuted, it achieved tremendous popularity almost immediately. While Oseman’s comics had a devoted fanbase prior to this, the audience response was astounding. The show even made its way onto Netflix’s Top 10 list in 54 countries, a turn of events that caught Connor off guard. This was surprising because, during production, it seemed like such a modest project.

He expresses that none of us had aspirations for fame, wealth, or any such goals. Instead, it felt more like, “This tale is exceptionally captivating, and I simply wanted to be involved in its unfolding.

The show is praised for its authentic representation of young LGBTQ+ characters and uplifting mood, setting it apart from many contemporary teen series. “Being involved in a project that truly resonates with people, particularly my peers, is incredibly meaningful,” Connor expresses.

The fame associated with “Heartstopper” has brought both positive and negative aspects. There’s the stress that comes with being part of a hit show, and there’s also constant scrutiny. After the first season was released, Connor felt compelled to announce his bisexuality on Twitter due to relentless fan speculation. He later expressed regret about the situation but continues to deal with breaches of his privacy. From time to time, a fan might even pursue him on the street.

Although it may seem unfavorable at times, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for Connor. He’s involved in a show that genuinely assists young people and has broadened his career opportunities in fascinating ways. Additionally, DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” will be released in theaters this Friday.

In the heartwarming movie adaptation of Peter Brown’s books, Lupita Nyong’o lends her voice to a robot named Roz, who takes care of an orphaned goose named Brightbill, voiced by Connor. He found himself attracted to the project due to its touching narrative, but bringing authenticity to Brightbill, a character brimming with sincerity, held particular significance for him.

Connor admits he sometimes felt awkward or misplaced during his childhood, though he wouldn’t describe himself as the smallest or least dominant among his peers. This sensation, which many people experience, is evident in Brightbill’s character.

In this new interpretation of “Romeo + Juliet,” Connor takes on the role of Romeo opposite Rachel Zegler playing Juliet. The play has been updated to a contemporary setting and boasts music from renowned musician Jack Antonoff. Connor shares that the cast is aiming to stretch the theater’s boundaries, making it as thrilling as can be. After rehearsing together for multiple weeks, Zegler is convinced there hasn’t been a Romeo quite like Kit.

Kit displays such a deep self-awareness for his age, which significantly enhances the characters in this production,” Zegler notes. “It’s truly thrilling to observe a talent like Kit being so confident with his decisions, all of which are powerful and meaningful. He is an exceptional partner in acting scenes.

Furthermore, she remarks: “Indeed, he excels as a captivating romantic protagonist, showcased brilliantly in ‘Heartstopper.’ He’s not only attractive but also charismatic, dashing, and endearing – qualities that make him an exceptional Romeo.

For Connor, the convergence of these projects helps to show that he isn’t just Nick Nelson. Or Brightbill. Or Romeo. Or any other role he’s played. Instead, he’s an actor exploring all the possibilities he can get his hands on.

Connor expresses his hope that viewers, upon watching ‘Romeo + Juliet,’ will perceive a deeper aspect of his acting. He values this aspect greatly as each role he accepts is an opportunity for him to demonstrate versatility and prove that he’s not confined to any one specific type of performance.

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2024-09-25 23:32