Noah Schnapp and the Creators of 'Stranger Things 5' Share Insights on Will Byers’ Courageous Journey in Volume 2

Spoiler Alert: Details from Stranger Things 5 Volume 2 Revealed

In a pivotal moment of Stranger Things 5, Will Byers, portrayed by Noah Schnapp, takes a significant step forward in the penultimate episode. After evading Vecna’s mind invasion, Will recognizes that keeping a deep secret puts him at risk of further exploitation by the monster. In Episode 7, titled “The Bridge,” he confronts his vulnerability and comes out as gay to his friends and family.

This revelation marks the first time Will explicitly states that he doesn’t have romantic feelings for girls. Throughout previous seasons, hints about his sexuality surfaced subtly, particularly evident in Season 5. Will’s discomfort surfaced when he learned about Robin’s relationship with Vickie, prompting him to ask questions about her journey to self-acceptance.

Confronted once more by Vecna, Will realizes that sharing his truth is crucial to moving forward. Schnapp explains that earlier reluctance stemmed from his complicated feelings for his best friend Mike Wheeler, played by Finn Wolfhard. By the time he shares his truth, Schnapp feels that Will has made peace with the likelihood that his feelings may not be reciprocated—a relatable moment for many.

“He accepts his own identity by the first volume, and that’s what allows him to unleash these powers,” Schnapp explains, noting that by Volume 2, Will’s journey transitions to self-acceptance away from his feelings for Mike. “I know I could definitely relate to some of those feelings of being in love with a best friend who’s not in love with you. It feels like a realistic representation of being queer and growing up.”

Schnapp has shared his thoughts on Will’s sexuality in the past, yet series creators Matt and Ross Duffer had not confirmed it until now. The storyline has been foreshadowed since Season 1, when Will’s friends teased him about not liking girls.

Ross Duffer stated, “We knew it was important, and we all wanted to get it right.” He elaborated that the coming-out scene received special attention in production. “There’s not a scene, I don’t think, in the entire series that we spent as long on as we did that coming out scene, just working it and working it until it felt right to us.” The creators sought validation from Schnapp, who has portrayed Will for a decade, to ensure that the emotional weight resonated with authenticity.

Schnapp expressed that his own coming-out experiences mirrored Will’s journey, noting the importance of understanding the cultural landscape. “It was about making sure I really understood the environment…where the AIDS epidemic was rampant,” he said, highlighting the fears of abandonment that accompanied Will’s admission. “So, just having the stakes in my head that I really wanted to make sure I got right.”

During Will’s emotional confession, he describes having been manipulated by Vecna into believing that his loved ones would abandon him upon discovering his secret. This moment becomes a turning point for him, driving the narrative forward.

As Schnapp delivered his heartfelt monologue, the atmosphere on set was markedly different from the usual chaos. “You could hear a pin drop,” he recalled.

The scene required extensive filming, lasting an entire 12 hours, with all cast members fully engaged in the moment. “He poured everything into every single take,” Matt Duffer said, attributing the powerful performances of the surrounding cast to Schnapp’s emotional depth.

Shawn Levy, who directed the episode, noted that the reactions from the other characters added another layer of beauty to the scene. As Will pours his heart out, the camera captures the pride and support from characters like Jonathan and Robin, creating a heartfelt atmosphere.

In reflecting on the intense experience, Schnapp noted that the moment truly resonated with him. After shooting wrapped, he and his co-star Charlie Heaton shared a tearful embrace, highlighting the emotional impact of what they had just filmed.

Will’s coming out not only signifies a pivotal moment in his personal journey but is also critical in the ongoing battle against Vecna. As for how events will unfold in the finale, Schnapp remains tight-lipped, teasing audiences with anticipation. “I guess you’re gonna have to wait and see,” he said, adding that he is excited to reveal the conclusion.

The final episode of Stranger Things is set to premiere on December 31.

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in ‘Stranger Things: Season 5’