Kit Connor, who was born on March 8, 2004 in Croydon, London, was first introduced to the audience at the age of eight, when he acted in the British sitcom Chickens. This was followed by roles in the film An Adventure in Space and Time or the medical series Victim (Casual+y). After other experiences, including those from the theater stage in the production of Welcome Home, Captain Fox! (Welcome Home, Captain Fox!) at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, in 2019, he portrayed a teenage Elton John in the musical film Rocketman. He also tried his hand at dubbing in the HBO series His Dark Materials, voicing the character of the daemon of the main character Lyra, Pantík.
In early 2021, Connor auditioned for the role of Charlie Spring in the TV series Heartstopper. But in the end, Joe Locke got this, as his very first role. But Netflix cast Kit in Heartthrobs, an adaptation of the comic of the same name by the author Alice Osemanová, together with him – as Nick Nelson. Immediately after the premiere, the work won millions of fans around the world, and little-known young artists rightfully became stars. Forbes magazine even called the series “the highest-grossing hit of all time.” Even so, Kit Connor is dealing with the same thing as his peers right now. He wants to pass the exams and successfully finish high school. He is not thinking about university yet. “I want to ride the Heartthrob wave, throw myself into acting and see what I can do,” said Kit. What else did he reveal about himself?
Watch the trailer for the series Heartbreakers:
In Heartbreakers, you’re a rugby star, a confused teenager who realizes he’s probably bisexual and has a crush on a classmate. Your performance and role means a lot to the LGBT+ community. Do you often get questions about your own sexuality?
“Yes. And it’s important for me to feel that I have no obligation to talk about my sexuality publicly. I’m happy in that regard and I’m sure how I’m doing, but it’s my personal thing. And I think it’s funny, especially in this day and age, when some internet trolls, for example, jump to conclusions or spread assumptions about another person’s sexuality just based on their voice or appearance. This is what happens on social media. Sometimes I feel like they know more about my sexuality than I do.” (laughs)
How did you actually find out that the role of Nick was yours?
“It was during the covid-19 pandemic, so I had to quarantine for two weeks after returning from the audition. My family left the house. It was just me and my dog when my agent called me and said: are you sitting? I said yes, and when she told me I had the part, I screamed with excitement!”
Thanks to Heartbreakers, you also met a well-known and popular star in the Czech Republic, Olivia Colman, who plays your mother. How do you feel about this collaboration?
“She is so modest! However, once the camera rolls, it’s like a perfect acting master class. I was definitely most nervous about our last scene in the series finale. Plus, Joe Locke kept teasing me: You’re doing a big scene with Olivia next week, he kept saying. I went all out for that scene and I’m happy and satisfied with how it turned out.”
What other scene was a challenge for you?
“One of the hardest was the one where after I run to Joe’s house in the rain, we go into his bedroom and confess our emotions. It is quite long and difficult, I was wet, I had to cry, be vulnerable and emotional. But I think it was a very important scene in the comic and in the series. It was something I really wanted to master.’
What does participation in Srderváče mean to you, what significance do you think this project has?
“I can fill in the gaps in the underrepresentation of bisexual characters on TV and in movies, there’s really very little of them, especially when it comes to men. One of the essential storylines here is Nick exploring his sexuality. We are all trying to create a safe space especially for the queer community with our characters and their concept. We’re talking about how being a queer teenager in the modern age can be cool. It’s an optimistic ‘everything’s going to be ok’ view. It’s about queer people deserving to be happy and that it’s beautiful to be in love.”
It was recently announced that the filming of more series of Heartbreakers…
“I’d love to play Nick again. And I would also like to play a completely different type of character, to expand my acting scope. I would also like to try directing sometime.’
With this video, the author announced the creation of other series:
Does the character of Nick have anything in common with you as Kit Connor?
“Nick is popular, confident, but also has a sensitive and vulnerable side. I myself am not particularly extroverted or super confident in everyday life, and that’s probably the main difference between us. Nick also has an amazing ability and courage to explore himself. I think that’s what a lot of people are afraid of sometimes, to really examine their personality and sexuality and then embark on a big life change.”
Has the role of Nick changed anything in your private life?
“It has a lot to do with fitness and exercise in general. Because of Nick’s build, I had to put on some muscle and started really enjoying working out. It’s fun, relaxing and therapeutic. Going to the gym five times six times a week for two hours clears the mind perfectly. You put on your headphones, listen to music and exercise. Great.”
Can you reveal anything about the further development of the story?
“That’s easy, other comics have already been published. In them, Charlie struggles with an eating disorder and his mental health, which could be interesting to watch. Body image and perception is also something that can be very negatively affected by social media. Other family matters await Nick. Fans of the original already know that Nick has an older brother who is homophobic. There are still a lot of things we can talk about and see how they develop.”
When you mentioned social media again… You got 1.4 million followers on TikTok in less than 24 hours. Your Instagram profile has almost four million followers. Among other things, you play the piano and sing a song by Elton John… After you played the younger version of him in the movie Rocketman, you met at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019, right?
“Honestly, that was probably one of the best days of my life. There he hugged me tightly and introduced himself, even though it was clear that I knew who he was. (laughs) I love his songs! And it was a real honor to be in that film, to tell the story of such an incredible man, an icon. Getting this opportunity from director Dexter Fletcher was another incredible thing for me.”
What were your beginnings in front of the camera anyway?
“When I was seven or eight, everything was fun and just enjoyable. I was so excited! I met new people and stars I had seen on TV or in movies. I didn’t have to be perfect as an actor, I just had to sit there and look cute, that was fun. But at the same time, I believe that those experiences helped me get further as an actor. When you have the opportunity to watch the best in the industry, it’s a great way to learn.”
On the other hand, what do you do when the spotlights go out, the cameras turn off and you can enjoy your free time?
“I love TV, film and theater – it’s still related to acting. Besides that, I enjoy playing basketball. I’m a big NBA fan. I love a lot of sports, but especially the NBA. I also like listening to music. Culture today offers so many things that it’s easy to get excited about… Also, the 60s and 70s were really great; anything related to these decades, music and fashion, I think is excellent.”
Now you’ve become a 100% star yourself and a lot of people look up to you. Who was and is an inspiration for you?
“As a kid and a child actor, I always looked up to people like Asa Butterfield, Will Poulter and Tom Holland. They used to be child actors themselves and slowly transitioned into adulthood in that profession. Even Robert Pattinson has an interesting career. Outside of acting, my big inspiration and idol was American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant, mainly because of his work ethic and he was really great. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us.”
Would you like to say something to your fans or those who may be going through difficult times due to current events?
“Actually, what is also part of the Heartbreakers narrative. There is always someone on your side supporting you. There’s always someone in your corner of the ring and someone loves you.”
