Noah Schnapp Opens Up About Will Byers’ Emotional Coming Out in Stranger Things 5
There’s been a lot of conversation lately around Noah Schnapp and one of the most powerful moments in Stranger Things 5, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. In Episode 7 of the final season, Will Byers finally confronts a truth he has been carrying quietly for years, and the impact of that moment has been felt far beyond the screen. According to Schnapp, even reading the scene for the first time was overwhelming, and that reaction stayed with him all the way through filming.
By this point in the story, Will has already been established as a hero, especially after earlier revelations about his abilities. But Episode 7 takes things to a much deeper, more personal level. It’s revealed that the only way for Will to truly break free from Vecna’s grip is by facing his deepest secret and being honest about who he really is. That honesty begins with his mother, Joyce, but Will soon realizes that this is something he needs to share with everyone at once.
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The scene unfolds slowly and painfully. Will stands before his family and friends, visibly shaking, his fear and vulnerability written all over his face. He admits that he’s different, that he doesn’t experience love the same way his friends do, and that he’s been hiding a crush he knows can never be returned. When his eyes land on Mike, the weight of that confession becomes even heavier. The room falls silent, not out of judgment, but out of respect. And then, quietly, acceptance begins to fill the space. One by one, the people Will loves reassure him that he isn’t losing them. They move toward him, wrapping him in a group hug as he breaks down, finally free from the shame he’s been carrying.
Schnapp has shared that he was incredibly nervous before reading how the Duffer Brothers would handle this moment. When the script arrived, it was read alone in his room, and tears followed almost immediately. He said the scene resonated deeply with him, especially because he never knew if Will’s story would ever be made explicit. Seeing it written so clearly felt validating and powerful.
What made the moment even more meaningful was that Will didn’t come out in isolation. Schnapp expected the scene to be just between Will and Joyce, so discovering that the entire cast would be present made it feel bigger and more special. After filming, emotions spilled over, and Schnapp has admitted he cried in his co-stars’ arms. In many ways, the scene became therapeutic, mirroring parts of his own life that he never had the chance to express so openly.
Schnapp, who publicly came out in 2023, has said that his journey and Will’s are closely connected. Playing Will gave him confidence, and seeing how audiences embraced the character helped him embrace himself. He’s expressed deep gratitude for being able to grow alongside Will for nearly a decade, discovering parts of himself through the character.
More than anything, Schnapp hopes this moment reaches everyone watching, not just queer viewers. At its core, Stranger Things has always been about finding strength in what makes you different, and in this final season, Will Byers proves that truth, honesty, and self-acceptance can be the greatest superpowers of all.
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