Noah Schnapp on Will Byers: How Stranger Things Season 5 Brings Queer Stories to Mainstream TV
When the US Netflix series Stranger Things premiered in 2016, no one could have predicted the cult status it would achieve. The mix of the laid-back 1980s American lifestyle still largely untouched by technology and full of a unique sense of freedom combined with sci-fi and fantasy elements like Demogorgons, captivated millions of viewers worldwide. And it still does today.
Noah Schnapp On Will: Queer Visibility In Hawkins
We are now in the middle of the fifth and final season: Part 1, consisting of four episodes, has been available on Netflix since November 27, 2025. Part 2, with three episodes, will be released just in time for Christmas on December 26, and the grand finale will follow on December 31. Fans can look forward to a final episode that runs over two hours, almost like a feature film. No wonder, as Stranger Things Season 5 is the most expensive yet: with nearly $500 million in production costs, it even surpasses the budget of Avengers: Endgame.
While some characters remain true to their original style, many have evolved over the years just like the young actors off-screen. Lead actress Millie Bobby Brown, just 21 years old, got married and adopted a child between Seasons 4 and 5. Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers in the series, has also grown up and recently spoke openly in an interview about his own queer journey.
"It’s so meaningful to have this, and not in a dedicated queer series, but in a mainstream show, where people are forced to watch it whether they want to or not,” says Schnapp. “It’s wonderful to see how people have embraced this character.” For queer viewers, it’s a real milestone.
Schnapp emphasizes that his character’s queer journey has also helped him personally to better understand himself and to come out as queer to his friends and family. The positive response is reflected on social media: under a clip of the interview, one fan commented:
“For those of us in the queer community, this role means so much. We love Will, and honestly, everyone deserves respect and love – so I don’t understand the hate some people have.”
Have you watched the first part of the final season yet? What do you think of Stranger Things today? Share your thoughts in the comments.