Noah Schnapp Confirms Will Byers Is Gay in Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’

July 15, 2022

Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in Netflix’s Stranger Things, has confirmed his character is gay.

Speaking to Variety, Schnapp confirmed one of the show’s most popular fan theories, saying his character is indeed gay and has romantic feelings for Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard).

“I mean, it’s pretty clear this season that Will has feelings for Mike,” Schnapp said.

“They’ve been intentionally pulling that out over the past few seasons. Even in Season 1, they hinted at that and slowly, slowly grew that storyline. I think for Season 4, it was just me playing this character who loves his best friend but struggles with knowing if he’ll be accepted or not, and feeling like a mistake and like he doesn’t belong,” he revealed.

“Will has always felt like that. All his friends, they all have girlfriends and they all fit into their different clubs.

“Will has never really found anywhere to fit in. I think that’s why so many people come up to me and tell me that they love Will and they resonate with him so much, because it’s such a real character.”

The fan theory gained traction after a pivotal conversation the two characters had in a van in Season 4.

However, Schnapp said he didn’t realise the importance of the scene until after he saw the finished product.

“I remember when I was doing the scene, I was bawling, like, going all out the whole day,” he said. “And when I saw it on screen, it was actually more subtle. I liked how they edited it together.

“The day was a lot of fun. I love just playing with Will. This scene was really important for him, because it really solidified that truth, that he loves his best friend and he doesn’t know how to tell him.”

Will’s sexuality has been a topic of conversation among Stranger Things fans for a long time, but this is the first time Schnapp has given a definitive answer.

Previously, the actor refused to address it, saying Will’s sexuality was up for interpretation.

“I think that’s the beauty of it, that it’s just up to the audience’s interpretation, if it’s Will kind of just refusing to grow up and growing up slower than his friends, or if he is really gay,” he told Variety at the time.

“I find that people do reach to put a label on him and just want to know, so badly, like, ‘Oh, and this is it.’ He’s just confused and growing up. And that’s what it is to be a kid.”

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