Joe Locke faced every actor's nightmare at the London premiere of Heartstopper Forever when his mother watched him simulate receiving oral sex on a giant IMAX screen. The 22-year-old star made light of the awkward moment during a post-screening Q&A at Cineworld Leicester Square on July 14, 2026.
Locke's Joke Steals the Show
Speaking alongside co-star Kit Connor, Locke told the audience: 'The screen was so big! My mum's here watching me get a blowjob on screen.' The remark drew raucous laughter and applause from the crowd, which included journalists and dedicated Heartstopper fans.
A clip of the moment shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Pop Base has been viewed over 1 million times. Fans flooded social media with reactions, with one user, Dami, writing: 'He's just laughing to hide the absolute terror.' Another fan, @Krishna827705, called the experience 'an extreme sport.' Yet many praised Locke's humor, with Mia posting: 'Never change Joe Locke.'
More Adult Content in Final Chapter
Heartstopper Forever, which drops on Netflix on July 17, 2026, concludes the adolescent love story of Nick (Connor) and Charlie (Locke) as they head to university. The actors have confirmed the film includes more explicit sex scenes than the previous series, which was known for its chaste portrayal of teenage romance.
'It's a line that you have to walk: How far are we going to take this?' Connor told the Guardian. 'But at the end of the day, it did feel like these two guys are really attracted to each other at the age where they probably would have been doing it.'
Locke added that the increased sexual content reflects the characters' age and relationship progression. 'There's a lot more sex, it would be weird if we hadn't shown it. Just because our show is a more earnest version of a queer representation doesn't mean that sex [shouldn't be shown]. It's still a big thing for anyone in the world,' he said.
Fans React to Premiere Moment
The viral clip has sparked widespread discussion among Heartstopper fans, many expressing second-hand embarrassment for Locke. However, the actor's ability to joke about the situation earned him admiration. The premiere marked a significant moment for the franchise, which has been praised for its sensitive portrayal of LGBTQ+ youth.
Heartstopper Forever is available to stream on Netflix from Friday, July 17, 2026.
