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Kit Connor

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Kit Connor
Connor at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
Born
Kit Sebastian Connor

(2004-03-08) 8 March 2004 (age 20)
Croydon, London, England
OccupationActor
Years active2013–present

Kit Sebastian Connor (born 8 March 2004) is an English actor. He gained recognition for starring as secondary school student Nick Nelson in the Netflix teen series Heartstopper (2022–present). He won the inaugural Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Performance for the role.

Connor previously appeared in the films Get Santa (2014), Rocketman (2019), and Little Joe (2019), had a recurring role in the series Rocket's Island (2014–2015), and voice roles in the series His Dark Materials (2019–2022) and the film The Wild Robot (2024). He has since starred in a Broadway musical adaptation of Romeo & Juliet in 2024.

Early life and education

Kit Sebastian Connor was born in the South London Borough of Croydon on 8 March 2004.[1][2][3] His parents, Richard and Caroline, are in advertising. He has two older siblings.[4] He is from Purley[5] and attended the Hayes Primary School in Kenley, as well as Whitgift School in South Croydon,[6][7] where he completed his A Levels in drama, English literature, and history.[8][9][non-primary source needed]

Career

Connor made his onscreen debut at the age of eight with minor appearances in Chickens on Sky One,[10] the television film An Adventure in Space and Time, and the soap opera Casualty.[11] In 2014, he starred as Tom Anderson in the holiday comedy Get Santa, and as a recurring character Archie Beckles in the CBBC series Rocket's Island.[12][13]

Connor had a recurring role playing young Petya Rostov in the miniseries War & Peace and as Bob Sheehan in the miniseries SS-GB.[14][15] He made his stage debut in Welcome Home, Captain Fox! at Donmar Warehouse.[16] He had roles in the 2018 films The Mercy,[17] The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,[18] Slaughterhouse Rulez,[19] and the BBC One television film Grandpa's Great Escape.[20] He starred as Alexander in the Old Vic Theatre production of Fanny & Alexander.[21]

In 2019 Connor portrayed a teenaged Elton John in the musical film Rocketman, and played Joe Woodard in the drama Little Joe.[22][23] In the same year, he began voicing the part of Pantalaimon in the BBC One and HBO fantasy series His Dark Materials.[24][25] In April 2021, it was announced that Connor would star opposite Joe Locke in the Netflix series Heartstopper, an adaptation of the webcomic and graphic novel of the same name by Alice Oseman.[26] He originally auditioned for the role of Charlie but ended up cast as the other lead, Nick Nelson.[27]

In 2024 Connor was part of the voice cast of DreamWorks Animation's The Wild Robot, an adaptation of Peter Brown's novel of the same name.[28] He made his Broadway debut playing Romeo opposite Rachel Zegler's Juliet in a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet directed by Sam Gold with music by Jack Antonoff.[29]

Connor was named a 2023 Screen International Star of Tomorrow.[30] In 2024 Connor was named to Forbes' 30 under 30 Europe list in the Entertainment category.[31] He was also highlighted in Variety's Young Hollywood Impact Report.[32]

Connor will next star in an upcoming film adaptation of the novel A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey.[33] He will lead the cast of the upcoming mystery-horror film One of Us,[34] and was cast in Warfare, an A24 war movie written and directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza.[35]

Personal life

Connor at Capital Pride Parade in 2023

In October 2022 Connor came out as bisexual in a Twitter post.[36][37][38] Connor has objected to speculation about his sexuality in the past[39][40] and had quit Twitter the previous month due to harassment and claims of queerbaiting after he was photographed holding hands with actress Maia Reficco.[37][41] In his coming-out tweet, Connor said fans were "forcing an 18 year old to out himself" and "missed the point" of the Heartstopper television series.[36] Many fans expressed support for Connor and criticised how people were treating him, as did Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman, co-stars Joe Locke, Sebastian Croft, Kizzy Edgell, and Olivia Colman, journalist Mark Harris, and Labour Party MP Nadia Whittome.[37][41][38][42][43]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role Ref.
2014 Get Santa Tom Anderson [12][44]
2015 Mr. Holmes Boy [45]
2017 The Mercy Simon Crowhurst [17][46]
2018 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Eli Ramsey [18]
Ready Player One Reb kid [47]
Slaughterhouse Rulez Wootton [19]
2019 Little Joe Joe Woodard [23]
Rocketman Young Reginald Dwight [22]
2024 The Wild Robot Brightbill (voice) [28]
TBA Warfare † [35]
A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow † Orion Maxwell [33][48]
One Of Us † Youngest [34]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 An Adventure in Space and Time Charlie Television film
Casualty Barnaby Lee Series 28, episode: "Away in a Manger" [11]
Chickens Clem Episode: "Episode Six" [10]
2014–2015 Rocket's Island Archie Beckles Main role [13]
2015 The Frankenstein Chronicles Joey Episode: "A World Without God" [49]
2016 Grantchester Charlie Jones Episode: "Episode 5" [50]
War & Peace Young Petya Rostov 3 episodes [14]
2017 SS-GB Bob Sheenan Miniseries; recurring role [15]
2018 Grandpa's Great Escape Jack Television film [20]
2019–2022 His Dark Materials Pantalaimon (voice) Recurring role [24][25]
2022–present Heartstopper Nick Nelson Lead role [51][52]

Theatre

Year Title Role Venue Notes
2016 Welcome Home, Captain Fox! Small Boy Donmar Warehouse [16]
2018 Fanny & Alexander Alexander Ekdahl The Old Vic [21]
2024–2025 Romeo + Juliet Romeo Circle in the Square Theatre Broadway[53]

Video games

Year Title Role Developer Ref.
2022 A Plague Tale: Requiem Lucas (English voice) Asobo Studio [54]

Accolades

Award Year Category Nominee / work Result Ref.
Children's and Family Emmy Awards 2022 Outstanding Lead Performance Heartstopper Won [55]
Dorian Awards 2022 Best TV Performance Heartstopper Nominated [56]
National Television Awards 2022 Rising Star Heartstopper Nominated [57]
Queerty Awards 2023 Closet Door Bustdown Himself Nominated [58]
2024 TV Performance Heartstopper Won [59]
Royal Television Society Programme Awards 2023 Leading Actor: Male Heartstopper Won [60]
TV Choice Awards 2024 Best Actor Heartstopper Nominated [61]

References

  1. ^ Strong, Louis (3 May 2022). Kit Connor (Podcast). Headstrong. Event occurs at 30:57. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  2. ^ Cleal, Sam (producer) (29 April 2022). Kit Connor and Joe Locke take the BFF Test. BuzzFeed UK (Online video). Event occurs at 00:24. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  3. ^ Schofield, Blanca (5 May 2022). "The young stars of Netflix's Heartstopper who have to stay in to revise". The Times. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  4. ^ Edwardes, Charlotte (22 July 2023). "Heartstopper's Kit Connor: 'I wasn't used to the idea of millions of people being interested in my private life'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  5. ^ Fisk, Robert (13 November 2014). "Christmas is saved by 10-year-old Kit Connor from Purley after Santa Claus crashes his sleigh in Get Santa festive film". Sutton & Croydon Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Week Beginning 1st December 2014". The Hayes Primary School. 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Whitgift student appears in BBC drama". John Whitgift Foundation. 8 February 2016. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  8. ^ Connor, Kit (22 June 2022). i take this stuff seriously. TikTok (Online video). Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  9. ^ Strong, Louis (3 May 2022). Kit Connor (Podcast). Headstrong. Event occurs at 24:50. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  10. ^ a b Palmer, Ben (director) (26 September 2013). Episode Six (Television Production). Big Talk Productions. Event occurs at 21:35. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  11. ^ a b Writer: Sasha Hails; Director: Robert Del Maestro (14 December 2013). "Away in a Manger". Casualty. BBC. BBC One. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013.
  12. ^ a b Felperin, Leslie (5 December 2014). "Get Santa: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  13. ^ a b CBBC Rocket's Island – Archie talks to Grasshoppers (Television Production). CBBC. 16 June 2014. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  14. ^ a b "War & Peace: Episode 3". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Meet the cast of SS-GB". Radio Times. 9 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Welcome Home, Captain Fox!". Donmar Warehouse. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  17. ^ a b Davis, Joanna (9 February 2018). "Review: Committed performance from Colin Firth in yachtsman biopic part-filmed in Dorset". Dorset Echo. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  18. ^ a b "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  19. ^ a b "Slaughterhouse Rulez (2018)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  20. ^ a b Walliams, David. "Grandpa's Great Escape". BBC. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Fanny & Alexander at The Old Vic" (PDF). The Old Vic. 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  22. ^ a b Rooney, David (16 May 2019). "Rocketman: Film Review Cannes 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Little Joe (2019)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 23 June 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  24. ^ a b "His Dark Materials". BBC Media Centre. 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 24 October 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  25. ^ a b Pullman, Philip. "His Dark Materials". HBO. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  26. ^ Stroude, Will (22 April 2021). "Heartstopper: Kit Connor and Joe Locke to star in Netflix adaptation of gay graphic novel". Attitude. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  27. ^ Craig, David (14 April 2022). "Heartstopper's Kit Connor originally auditioned for Charlie – not Nick". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  28. ^ a b The Wild Robot | Official Site | DreamWorks, archived from the original on 5 March 2024, retrieved 5 March 2024
  29. ^ Evans, Greg (16 April 2024). "Kit Connor & Rachel Zegler Headed To Broadway In Sam Gold-Directed 'Romeo + Juliet'".
  30. ^ Lazic, Elena. "Stars of Tomorrow 2023: Kit Connor (actor)". Screen. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Forbes 30 Under 30 2024: Entertainment". Forbes. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  32. ^ Mazurek, Sharareh Drury,Zoe Hewitt,Carole Horst,Haley Kluge,Todd Longwell,Brooke; Drury, Sharareh; Hewitt, Zoe; Horst, Carole; Kluge, Haley; Longwell, Todd; Mazurek, Brooke (7 August 2024). "Young Hollywood Impact Report: Benson Boone, Laufey, Hunter Schafer, Ayra Starr and More Stars From Showbiz's Next Wave". Variety. Retrieved 11 August 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  33. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (16 August 2022). "To All the Boys Producer Ace Entertainment Adapting Latinx YA Novel A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow; Maia Reficco, Kit Connor & Kate del Castillo to Lead Film's Cast". Deadline. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  34. ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (10 March 2023). "Heartstopper Star Kit Connor To Lead Cast In Horror One Of Us, Filming To Begin This Month In Northern Ireland". Deadline. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  35. ^ a b Cordero, Rosy (28 March 2024). "Kit Connor, Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter & Finn Bennett Round Out Lead Cast Of Ray Mendoza And Alex Garland's 'Warfare'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  36. ^ a b Connor, Kit [@kit_connor] (31 October 2022). "back for a minute. i'm bi. congrats for forcing an 18 year old to out himself. i think some of you missed the point of the show. bye" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ a b c Butcher, Ryan (31 October 2022). "Heartstopper star Kit Connor 'forced' to come out as bisexual". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  38. ^ a b Tinoco, Armando (1 November 2022). "Heartstopper Star Kit Connor Receives Support From Cast & Creator After Forced To Come Out As Bisexual". Deadline. Archived from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  39. ^ Baska, Maggie (15 May 2022). "Heartstopper star Kit Connor explains why he refuses to label his sexuality". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  40. ^ Baska, Maggie (3 May 2022). "Heartstopper's Kit Connor calls out fans trying to define his sexuality for him". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  41. ^ a b Shafer, Ellise (1 November 2022). "Heartstopper Creator and Fans Rally Around Star Kit Connor After He's 'Forced' to Come Out as Bisexual". Variety. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  42. ^ Saunders, Emma (1 November 2022). "Heartstopper's Kit Connor says he was 'forced' to come out as bisexual". BBC News. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  43. ^ Saunders, Emma (1 November 2022). "Olivia Colman 'Proud' of Heartstopper Co-Star Kit Connor for Coming Out as Bisexual, Blasts 'People Who Bullied Him' on Social Media (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  44. ^ "Get Santa (2014)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  45. ^ "Mr. Holmes (2015)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  46. ^ "The Mercy (2018)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  47. ^ "Ready Player One (2018)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  48. ^ Namey, Laura Taylor [@LauraTNamey] (16 August 2022). "ORION MAXWELL!!!! @kit_connor" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  49. ^ "A World Without God (2016)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  50. ^ "Grantchester 30/03/2016 (2016)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  51. ^ "Heartstopper". Netflix. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  52. ^ Thao, Phillipe (20 May 2022). "Heartstopper Season 2 Will Say "Hi" to More Queer Joy". Netflix. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  53. ^ "Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler to Make Broadway Debuts in Romeo + Juliet Revival | Playbill".
  54. ^ Kennedy, Victoria (6 September 2022). "Heartstopper and Bloodborne actors join A Plague Tale: Requiem cast". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  55. ^ Schneider, Michael (11 December 2022). "Heartstopper Leads All Winners at 1st Annual Children's & Family Emmys (FULL LIST)". Variety. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  56. ^ Tapp, Tom (18 August 2022). "Dorian TV Awards: LGBTQ Critics Pick Yellowjackets & Abbott Elementary As Year's Best Drama & Comedy". Deadline. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  57. ^ Earp, Catherine (13 October 2022). "National Television Awards: Full winners list". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  58. ^ "Closet Door Bustdown Nominees". The Queerties. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  59. ^ "TV Performance Winner". The Queerties. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  60. ^ "RTS Programme Awards 2023". Royal Television Society. 29 September 2022. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  61. ^ McLaughlin, Charlotte (3 November 2023). "Happy Valley and Heartstopper each shortlisted for three TV Choice Awards". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
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