Heartstopper, says he doesn’t believe it’s “fair” to prevent straight actors from playing LGBTQ characters.Defending the idea of casting roles regardless of the actors’ sexual orientations, Locke told The Guardian that he believes the focus should be on how actors approach their roles in an effort to portray a character’s experience as authentically as possible.“I wouldn’t want to not be able to play a straight character, so I don’t think it’s fair to stop someone straight — who can do all the research — from playing a gay character,” he said. “As long as you’re playing a part authentically and with the best intentions — you’re not just playing a stereotype — then go for it.”Reflecting on his Heartstopper casting experience Locke said, “[t]here’s no way they would have been able to say, ‘Are you gay, otherwise you can’t audition for this part?’ to a 16-year-old.
