For Sebastian Croft, the contrast between school and the world of acting could hardly have been greater.
The actor, whose screen credits include Heartstopper and who is now appearing on Celebrity Traitors, has spoken about being outed at school and the isolation he experienced during those years.
In an interview with The i Paper, Croft said a boy he was secretly seeing revealed his sexuality to others.
He described a difficult period, while expressing understanding for the other boy’s own struggles with pressure around being gay.
His account holds room for both the hurt he experienced and the difficulties another young person was facing.
A Different Kind of Community
Acting offered Croft a welcome contrast to school: a place to do something he loved alongside people with whom he felt more comfortable.
Later, working on Heartstopper brought a supportive environment and the opportunity to participate in a series that celebrated queer lives.
He played Ben Hope, whose relationship with Charlie Spring forms part of the Netflix drama’s exploration of secrecy, identity and acceptance.
The distinction between the actor’s experiences and his character’s behaviour matters, even as his reflections add another layer to his connection with the series.
For viewers who remember carefully choosing whom to trust with their sexuality, that contrast between isolation and belonging may feel familiar.
Finding Another Way to Express Himself
In a separate interview with Rolling Stone UK, Croft discussed making music under the name Bash Croft.
Songwriting gave him an outlet for feelings he found difficult to share, and he has spoken about making pop through a queer perspective.
He also described the importance of queer musical figures such as Elton John and George Michael during his younger years.
Those examples underline how much visibility can mean to someone who feels alone.
Making Space for Other Queer Lives
His work beyond acting also includes Queer Was Always Here, the community he created with fellow actor Connor Jessup in 2023.
Dedicated to queer lives, art and history, it works with Choose Love to support LGBTQIA+ refugees and displaced people.
Together, these parts of his story offer a wider picture than a television appearance alone: a young queer artist exploring expression, community and the possibility of helping others.
Finding acceptance does not erase a difficult past, but it can make the future feel more open.
Photo: @sebastiancroft
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