Sebastian Croft ‘excited’ to play ‘opposite’ of Heartstopper role in How To Date Billy Walsh
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Sebastian Croft, known for his role as Ben Hope in the popular series Heartstopper, has expressed his delight in playing a character that is the total opposite of Ben in the new teen film How To Date Billy Walsh. In this new rom-com from Prime Video, Croft takes on the role of Archie, an eccentric and confident teen with a hidden secret.
Archie is deeply in love with Amelia, portrayed by Charithra Chandran from Bridgerton, and is on the verge of confessing his feelings when a charming newcomer named Bill, played by Tanner Buchanan of Cobra Kai, enters the scene and begins to woo her. In an attempt to prevent Amelia from falling for Bill, Archie pretends to be a love-life expert, but things take an unexpected turn.
The character of Archie stands in stark contrast to Ben Hope, Sebastian Croft’s previous character in Heartstopper. Ben was depicted as an unpleasant and borderline-abusive boyfriend to Charlie Spring. Croft, who will not be returning for the third season of Heartstopper, has reflected on the significant difference between the two characters.
In an exclusive interview with PinkNews, Croft shared his experience of transitioning from playing Ben in Heartstopper to portraying Archie in How To Date Billy Walsh. He described it as an actor’s dream to delve into something completely different and mentioned that filming for the two projects overlapped, creating a unique challenge for him.
Croft expressed his joy at playing a character like Archie, who is quirky, larger than life, and devoid of dark undertones. He drew inspiration from various sources, including Charlie Chaplin and Quentin Blake’s illustrations in Roald Dahl’s Matilda, to bring out the physicality and expressiveness of Archie, which was a departure from the restrained nature of Ben in Heartstopper.
Reflecting on Archie’s personality, Croft highlighted the character’s strong sense of self and confidence, traits that he wishes he had embraced more in his youth. He admired Archie’s ability to be unapologetically himself and not be swayed by others’ opinions, something he believes is a valuable lesson for viewers.
Despite his focus on his current role, Croft expressed his enthusiasm for future projects, particularly queer rom-coms. He mentioned that he would love to play the lead in a queer rom-com, citing the exciting trend of inclusive storytelling in the industry.
How To Date Billy Walsh is currently available for streaming on Prime Video, offering viewers a delightful romantic comedy with a refreshing take on teenage relationships. Sebastian Croft’s portrayal of Archie adds a vibrant and endearing element to the film, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
As Croft continues to explore diverse characters and narratives in his career, audiences can look forward to seeing him in a variety of roles that challenge and inspire both him and his viewers alike.
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Sebastian Croft
