Stranger Things, the iconic Netflix series that transported us back to the 1980s, not only charmed audiences with its thrilling plotlines and relatable characters, but it also sparked meaningful conversations about acceptance. Particularly, the talented young actor Noah Schnapp, portraying Will Byers, has been open about how the show’s representation of his character’s s*xuality aided him in discovering and accepting who he really is.
In a cover interview with Variety, Schnapp expressed his happiness, stating that he never would have discovered his true s*xuality without playing Will. On January 5, 2023, the actor made his s*xual orientation as gay publicly known in a video uploaded to his TikTok account. He was heard on the video expressing his relief that his friends and family had welcomed his coming out.
How Noah Schnapp’s Stranger Things Role Helped Him Accept His S*xuality
Noah Schnapp, 19, claimed in a video on his TikTok (January 5 of this year) that he is “more similar” to his character Will Byers than he initially realized. Later on in the video, he disclosed to his friends and family that he had come out as gay. The Stranger Things star stated in the video:
“When I finally told my friends and family I was gay after being scared in the closet for 18 years and all they said was ‘we know’.”
Since then, more than 90 million people have watched the video, and supporters have flocked to offer their love and support. After the release of Stranger Things season four, Will’s s*xual orientation became even more of a topic of conversation. Speaking with Variety about the response to his video, Schnapp stated:
“When I opened my phone at the end of the car ride, it was, like, a thousand texts of hearts and congratulations and rainbow flags. was crying. I was like, ‘I made it. I’m done. I don’t have to worry’.”
Throughout the first four seasons of Stranger Things, it is implied that Will is gay, but this has yet to be explicitly confirmed in the show. Since the premiere of season 4, Schnapp has revealed that Will identifies as gay and is in love with Mike Wheeler.
Noah Schnapp’s Journey of Self-Discovery with Will Byers
Noah Schnapp stated that this was the start of the process that led to his decision to come out, having previously acknowledged in the July 2022 interview with Variety, that his character Will Byers is gay. But by the summer of 2022, Stranger Things had grown to become one of Netflix’s most popular series ever thanks to Season 4, a story that made Will’s s*xuality a central theme.
Speaking about the experience of having his s*xual orientation questioned at such a young age, Schnapp told Varitey (2023):
“I think it made me hold it down deeper. Because it was kind of being poked and prodded out of me in such a public way.”
Nonetheless, the Bridge of Spies actor claimed that Will’s homosexuality (gay) had benefited him. He remarked:
“It kind of blew up in the press, and everyone was like, ‘Oh, Will’s gay!..Once I did fully embrace that Will was gay, it was just an exponential speed towards accepting it for myself. I would be in a completely different place if I didn’t have Will to portray, and to embrace and help me accept myself. I think if I never played that character, I probably would still be closeted.”
Schnapp also disclosed that after coming out, he got a ton of messages from people interested in dating him. He confessed:
“All of a sudden, there was this influx of all these people in my DMs. And definitely some, like, big names that I didn’t know about. I just take it as a compliment and move on.”
Stranger Things received a fifth and final season renewal in February 2022. Among the others in the ensemble cast are Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, and Cara Buono.
Netflix has Stranger Things‘ first four seasons available for streaming.
