When Heartstopper dropped in 2022, Joe Locke became the face of soft-boy sincerity, the kind of actor who made teenage vulnerability look like an art form. Fast forward to 2025, and the same boy who stole hearts as Charlie Spring is stepping into something much darker, more mysterious, and dare we say spellbinding: the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Yes, Joe Locke is making his magical debut in Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, Marvel’s highly anticipated Disney+ spinoff led by the wickedly charming Kathryn Hahn. And fans? They’re spellbound already.
🪄 From Heartstopper to Hexes: Joe Locke’s Unexpected Pivot
Locke’s Marvel casting first broke the internet when reports revealed he’d joined the Agatha series, though his exact role remained shrouded in Marvel’s signature mystery. The rumor mill quickly buzzed with theories — was he playing Billy Kaplan, a.k.a. Wiccan, the powerful son of Wanda Maximoff?
While Marvel hasn’t confirmed it outright, the hints are all there. Locke’s character is described as a “mischievous teen with a dark streak,” and Marvel fans immediately connected the dots. If true, Locke could be stepping into a future Young Avengers storyline, a move that could make him one of Marvel’s next breakout stars.
🎭 Why This Role Could Define Joe Locke’s Next Era
Locke’s jump from Heartstopper to Darkhold Diaries isn’t just a career move, it’s a full-blown metamorphosis. He’s shifting from playing tender love stories to exploring power, identity, and destiny on a cosmic scale.
It’s rare for an actor this young to carve out two major fandoms before 22, but Locke seems to have cracked the code. His emotional depth from Heartstopper makes him the perfect fit for a Marvel story that thrives on inner conflict and transformation.
As one fan on X (formerly Twitter) put it:
“Joe Locke going from blushing over Nick Nelson to fighting witches? That’s called range, darling.”
✨ Inside Agatha: Darkhold Diaries — What We Know So Far
Marvel has been keeping Agatha: Darkhold Diaries under tight wraps, but we do know it’s set after the events of WandaVision. Kathryn Hahn returns as Agatha Harkness, the sarcastic, morally gray witch who stole every scene in 2021’s hit series.
The show promises to blend dark comedy, mystery, and supernatural thrills, very WandaVision meets Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. And with Locke in the mix, the dynamic is electric. Behind the scenes, director Jac Schaeffer (also WandaVision’s showrunner) has teased a more character-driven, emotional tone, something that plays right into Locke’s strengths.
💫 The Marvel Glow-Up: Gen Z’s Rising Magic
Locke’s leap into the MCU feels symbolic of a bigger shift in Hollywood: the rise of Gen Z talent in blockbuster franchises. Alongside stars like Xochitl Gomez (Doctor Strange 2) and Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel), Locke represents a generation that’s more emotionally authentic and socially conscious.
He’s not just playing a superhero; he’s part of a cultural redefinition of what heroism even looks like. Vulnerable, self-aware, and beautifully human.
❤️ Heartstopper Fans React — and They’re Manifesting
When Locke’s Marvel debut was announced, Heartstopper fans turned into instant MCU theorists. “Charlie Spring but make it magical” became a meme, and Locke’s Heartstopper co-star Kit Connor even posted a playful response, teasing fans about his “new powers.”
The crossover energy between both fandoms is wild TikTok edits already imagine Charlie and Nick in the Multiverse. It’s the kind of fandom fusion Marvel dreams of.
🎥 Behind the Scenes: Kathryn Hahn and Joe Locke’s On-Set Chemistry
According to Variety, Kathryn Hahn has praised Locke’s “intelligence and heart,” saying he brings a rare emotional honesty to the Marvel universe. Their scenes reportedly balance sharp humor with quiet tension — think witchy mentorship meets chaotic family energy.
It’s not just Marvel spectacle; it’s character-driven storytelling with soul. And Hahn’s mentorship of Locke offscreen mirrors that dynamic beautifully.
“He’s such an old soul,” Hahn told Entertainment Weekly. “You can feel the emotional truth in everything he does.”
🌍 What Joe Locke’s Marvel Future Could Look Like
If Locke is indeed playing Wiccan, this could be just the beginning. Wiccan’s arc in the comics ties him to the Young Avengers, a team Marvel is clearly building toward with characters like Kate Bishop (Hawkeye) and America Chavez (Doctor Strange 2).
This means Locke could be one of the MCU’s next long-term players, a face that defines the next phase of Marvel storytelling. And judging by the buzz online, fans are already ready for it.
📸 Suggested Image Prompts (for AmourVert.co.uk layout):
- Joe Locke Red Carpet Appearance 2024 — alt: “Joe Locke attends a Marvel premiere event ahead of Agatha: Darkhold Diaries.”
- Behind-the-Scenes with Kathryn Hahn — alt: “Joe Locke and Kathryn Hahn on the set of Agatha: Darkhold Diaries.”
- Heartstopper Throwback Still — alt: “Joe Locke as Charlie Spring in Netflix’s Heartstopper before joining Marvel.”
- Agatha: Darkhold Diaries Poster — alt: “Official Marvel poster featuring Kathryn Hahn and Joe Locke.”
Overlay text idea: “Magic Meets Heartstopper” ✨
🔗 Suggested Internal Links (for wordlestudio.com):
- Read more about Heartstopper cast ages and real-life friendships
- Check out how Gen Z stars like Yasmin Finney are redefining fame in 2025
- Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco: Inside Their Creative Chemistry
✍️ Closing Thoughts: What’s Next for Joe Locke?
Joe Locke’s Marvel debut isn’t just another career milestone; it’s a declaration. From LGBTQ+ icon in Heartstopper to supernatural powerhouse in Agatha, Locke is proving that Gen Z talent isn’t afraid to expand beyond one archetype.
He’s rewriting the Hollywood rulebook with empathy, humor, and a hint of magic.
And something tells us, this is just the beginning of Joe Locke’s marvelous new chapter. 💫