Fans think they’ve figured out Heartstopper star Joe Locke’s mystery Marvel role
Heartstopper star Joe Locke has reportedly been cast in an unspecified role alongside Kathryn Hahn in new Marvel TV series, Agatha: Coven of Chaos.
Locke, who shot to fame as Charlie Spring in queer coming-of-age series Heartstopper, is rumoured to be playing one of Wanda Maximoff’s sons, Billy Kaplan / Wiccan, who is gay in Marvel source material – though this is unconfirmed. As reported by Variety, reps for Locke declined to comment.
Wiccan has various magical abilities, and a younger version of the character has already been played in the MCU by Julian Hilliard.
Sources have described Joe Locke’s character as a gay teen with a dark sense of humour; something that fits Wiccan’s comic book description. Others have speculated that he will be portraying Agatha Harkness’s son.
My moneys on Nicholas Scratch (Agatha's son) but the answer is clearly obvious.. pic.twitter.com/rdn05Ss4qs
— Matt Murdock (@ZeroYear97) November 1, 2022
As is typical with Marvel projects, plot and character details of the project are being kept under wraps, though Hahn and Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Emma Caulfield are set to reprise their roles from 2021’s WandaVision – where Hahn’s iconic villain was introduced.
Coven of Chaos was first reported by Variety to be in the works in October 2021 and was subsequently confirmed by Marvel in November of the same year. WandaVision head writer Jac Schaeffer also returns.
The original series saw Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch manipulated by her nosey neighbour, Agnes (Hahn) – who turns out to be the powerful witch and series antagonist, Agatha Harkness. The series was nominated for 23 Emmys.
? pic.twitter.com/5vBrhatUAR— Cody (@codylsexton) November 1, 2022
OMG Please be Billy Kaplan/Wiccan. He's my favorite Marvel character <3.— Stefen (@stefanokano) November 2, 2022
In the Marvel comic universe (and WandaVision), Agatha is shown to have survived the Salem Witch Trials and often goes head-to-head with Wanda, nearly outmatching her on several occasions.
At the end of WandaVision, Wanda leaves Agatha in Westview (the town the show is set it), by using her powers to force the witch back to her ‘Agnes’ persona.
Joe Locke made his onscreen debut as Spring opposite Kit Connor’s Nick Nelson in Heartstopper. The series follows the two (and their friends) as they navigate their sexuality, along with the usual troubles of growing up. The series was a smash hit, having already been renewed for a second and third season, with season two currently in production.