Yahoo News Heartstopper's Joe Locke talks "different" season 2
A week before season 2 hits our screen, Heartstopper star Joe Locke has discussed how this new chapter feels different compared to the first.
An adaptation of the comic book series by Alice Oseman, the Netflix show follows budding couple Charlie (Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) and their group of friends.
Going into this second season, Locke has revealed he felt more connected than ever to his character Charlie.
"The biggest difference while filming is that I had some idea of what I was doing and felt more at ease with everything," he told press ahead of the new season.
Related: Heartstopper star teases "more mature" season 2
"It's really nice to carry on getting to know Charlie, growing with him and using the things that I learned from the craziness of last year to put into Charlie as a character. I think I relate to Charlie far more now than I did two years ago."
Locke also touched upon the pressure the cast have been subjected to after bringing Oseman's characters to life in such a beautifully received show.
"With season one, we didn't have any idea a) What we were doing, because for most of us, it was our first jobs, and b) There was no pressure because there was no expectation," he said.
"Coming into season two, there was this quite high pressure and expectation to live up to season one, but I think that we all get along so well as a group, as a cast, that it didn't matter, because as soon as you're all together again, it doesn't matter."
Related: Heartstopper season 2 shares first-look at new characters – including Nick's brother
The Charlie actor also explained how he and his castmates managed to block out expectations and tried to stay present to honour the characters.
"We're in this bubble, creating this piece of TV, so I think we've all gotten very good at not thinking about the enormity of the show's scale, of what that actually means. Because if you do that, your brain will combust. We're all very good at not thinking about that," he said.
"As an actor, you just have to do your best with the character and that's all you can do. You're always going to disappoint some people, so you've just got to do your best."
We here at Digital Spy have already had a sneak peek at the new season, and you can find out what we thought here.
Heartstopper is streaming on Netflix, where season 2 will premiere on August 3.
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