The character Will Byers from the popular Netflix series Stranger Things has come out as gay in a pivotal scene during the show’s fifth and final season. Actor Noah Schnapp, who portrays Will, described filming this emotional moment as “cathartic,” revealing how deeply it resonated with him personally. The second volume of the season premiered on December 26, 2023, with the grand finale available for viewing in Australia on January 1, 2024.
The latest season of the sci-fi horror series sees the familiar group of heroes reuniting as Hawkins faces both military quarantine and a renewed threat from the Upside Down. In Episode 7, Will, who earlier discovered he possesses unique powers, confronts his fears and deep-seated truths in a desperate attempt to escape the clutches of his captor, Vecna. This journey culminates in a powerful confession to his mother, Joyce Byers, played by Winona Ryder, and the rest of his family and friends.
“I haven’t told any of you this because I don’t want you to see me differently. But the truth is, I am different,” Will tells his loved ones. “I don’t like girls. I mean, I do. Just not like you guys do. I had this crush on someone, even though I know they’re not like me.” The scene is particularly poignant as Will chokes up while looking at his best friend, Mike, portrayed by Finn Wolfhard.
Schnapp, who publicly came out as gay earlier in 2023, reflected on the emotional weight of the scene. In an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, he shared, “I was really nervous to see how the Duffer Brothers would write it, because it was obviously so important for me. I read the script alone in my room, and I was crying, and it really resonated with me.”
The actor expressed his excitement upon reading the script, stating, “I texted them, and I was like, ‘This is great. This is awesome.’ I didn’t know if they were ever going to write that story for Will.” Schnapp prepared extensively for the scene, reading it repeatedly in the month leading up to filming. This preparation allowed him to immerse himself fully in the moment, focusing on the emotion rather than memorizing lines.
“I thought the scene would be just with his mom, so for it to happen with the entire cast sitting there watching him was just so special,” he added. After the scene concluded, Schnapp ran into the arms of his co-star Charlie Heaton, overwhelmed with emotion.
The Duffer Brothers, the show’s creators, indicated that Will’s coming out has been a long-term narrative goal. “Will and his coming-out scene was something that we’d been building to for a very long time,” said Ross Duffer. “It’s important that he comes to terms with this. Once he’s able to do that, he’s heading into this final battle with a confidence and maturity that he hasn’t had before.”
The first seven episodes of Stranger Things 5 are currently streaming on Netflix, with the highly anticipated finale set to drop on New Year’s Day. This significant moment not only marks a critical development in Will’s character but also reflects the show’s commitment to representing diverse stories and experiences in contemporary media.
