Joe Locke in Heartstopper (Image: Netflix)
Joe Locke has fuelled online speculation that he is involved in a sci-fi body-horror film titled Baby after a cryptic Instagram Stories post, with fans linking the chatter to the “mpreg” trope.
The Heartstopper star shared a photo of himself holding a large bouquet of flowers with the caption “That’s a wrap BABY,” followed by an alien emoji. The wording has been taken by some fans as a hint at a project called Baby, which has a very, erm, interesting plot to say the least.
Film Crave on X described the film as starring Locke as “a young male sex worker who becomes pregnant with a mysterious creature”. That description, paired with the alien emoji, has helped push the story into queer internet culture spaces where “mpreg” is a long-running fan-fiction trope centred on male pregnancy.
The current theory-making largely stitches together three elements: the title Baby, Locke’s alien emoji, and the reported “mysterious creature” pregnancy description. For many online, that combination reads like a mainstream spin on “mpreg”, a trope that has circulated for years in gay fan fiction and fandom spaces, with even Heated Rivalry fans getting involved.
Fans have been spiralling after the apparent casting news. One said on X: “Okay wait is he trans or is the creature really f***** up?” Another joked: “Joe Locke being the one to bring mpreg to mainstream.” A third wrote: “Twink mpgreg oh I’m sat.”
Locke has not officially announced involvement in Baby, and the film is not listed under his upcoming projects on IMDb.
What do we know about Baby?
Director Sam Max lists Baby on his website as his “forthcoming body horror feature debut,” produced by Luca Intili and Kindred Spirit.
Max has also shared set photos on Instagram, including an image showing an alien in a bathtub with a large blood splatter on the wall, adding to the sense the project leans into sci-fi and body-horror imagery.
Who is Joe Locke?
Locke, who is gay, rose to global fame playing Charlie Spring in Netflix’s Heartstopper. He has spoken publicly about LGBTQ+ representation and the impact of the series on young audiences, as the franchise continues to expand with one last outing, Heartstopper Forever.
He has also moved into US studio work, including Marvel and Disney projects, and recently made headlines after winning his first Emmy for his Heartstopper role.
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