Throughout the years, Stranger Things has created a space for Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) to explore his identity — a topic that has caught the attention of fans and cast members alike.
When Stranger Things debuted in 2016, viewers were introduced to Will as the child who suddenly went missing in Hawkins, Indiana. The character appeared largely offscreen until he escaped from the Upside Down at the end of season 1.
Amid the traumatic experience, Will struggled to return to his normal life as things around him changed and the monsters from the Upside Down returned. Discussion around Will’s sexuality came to light during season 3, when he got in a fight with Mike (Finn Wolfhard) who said, “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls.”
Fans continued to question whether Will’s sexuality might be addressed in season 4. During Volume 1, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) hinted that Will might be interested in someone while writing a letter to Mike. Will, who later visibly recoiled when a girl tried to flirt with him, chose gay mathematician Alan Turing as his hero for a class presentation.
Season 4, which dropped in May 2022, also hinted that Will’s painting for Mike might hold a large significance. After working out his rough patch with his best friend, Will offers Mike advice that alluded to his own life.
“Sometimes, I think it’s just scary, to open up like that — to say how you really feel, especially to people you care about the most,” Will told Mike. “Because what if — what if they don’t like the truth?”
In January 2023, Schnapp credited his Stranger Things role while coming out as gay. “I guess I’m more similar to Will than I thought,” he captioned the TikTok video.
Scroll down for the Stranger Things cast’s insight on Will’s journey with his identity: