Noah Schnapp Reveals Will Byers’ Sexuality Will Define “Stranger Things” Final Season
Noah Schnapp, known globally as Will Byers in Netflix’s Stranger Things, has given fans a glimpse into what to expect from the show’s final season. With the fifth instalment just weeks away, Schnapp has confirmed that his character’s personal story is moving to the forefront.
According to the actor, Will’s sexuality will be a “major plot point” when the series concludes.
Is Will Byers Gay?
Playing Will has been a significant experience for Schnapp, who came out as gay in January 2023. He recently spoke with British GQ about how the character’s reception helped him with his own identity.
“Seeing how the world receives Will, and embraces him, has taught me through the years to feel okay in who I am, and how I express myself,” Schnapp said.
The publication noted that while he confirmed Will’s sexuality is central to the new episodes, the actor “stops himself short of revealing anything further.”
The long road to confirmation.
This confirmation has been a long time coming for viewers. Speculation about Will Byers’ orientation began back in 2016 after the show’s first season, though Schnapp initially dismissed it.
That perspective changed as the character, and the actor, grew older. In July 2022, Schnapp made it clear to Variety. “Now that he’s gotten older, they made it a very real, obvious thing,” he said. “Now it’s 100 per cent clear that he is gay and he does love Mike.”
Addressing Schnapp’s political statements.
While fans are excited about Will’s story, Schnapp himself has faced backlash over the past couple of years for his comments on Israel and Palestine.
In a deleted October 2023 Instagram post, he wrote, “You either stand with Israel, or you stand with terrorism.” A month later, he appeared in a video with signs reading “Zionism is sexy.”
Following widespread criticism, Schnapp posted a video in January 2024 to clarify his stance. “I just hope to one day see those two groups be able to live harmoniously together in that region,” he stated.
When to watch the final season.
So, when can we see how Will’s story finishes? The fifth and final season of Stranger Things begins airing very soon, but Netflix is splitting the release.
The first batch, Volume 1, drops on November 26, 2025. You will have to wait until Christmas Day for Volume 2. The standalone series finale is scheduled to air on December 31.
