Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp has confirmed in an interview with Variety that his character Will Byers is gay. Will’s orientation had been a fan theory for a while, and it turns out it’s not unfounded. In the series, the character has feelings for his best friend Mike Wheeler.
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There has been much speculation about Will’s sexuality over the years, including a scene in Season 3 that references it. In that scene, we see Will getting mad at his friends Mike and Lucas for wanting to talk about their relationships with Eleven and Max instead of playing Dungeons and Dragons. In response, Mike says, “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls,” resulting in an angry Will riding off on his bike.
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“It’s in season 4 of ‘Stranger Things’ It’s pretty clear that Will has feelings for Mike,” Schnapp said in the interview with Variety. ‘Stranger Things’ makers Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer have consciously pulled that out in recent seasons, according to the actor. “Even in season 1 they hinted at that and it slowly grew into the storyline.”
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wrestling
“Especially in Season 4, I’m playing someone who loves his best friend, but struggles with acceptance, and feels like a mistake,” Schnapp said. “Like he doesn’t belong. That’s how Will has always felt. All his friends have girlfriends and all fit in their different clubs. Will never really found a place to fit in,” he continues. “I think that’s why so many people come up to me and tell me that they love Will and that they identify with him so much. Because it’s such a real character.”
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At the end of the fourth season there is a clear hint that Will likes boys. Will explains Eleven’s feelings for Mike in an emotional scene. When the conversation is over, Will turns away from Mike and sobs, because the character – which has now been confirmed – also has feelings for Mike.
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Important
“I remember roaring all day when I did the scene,” Schnapp says. “But when I saw it on screen, it was actually more subtle. I liked how they edited it together. The day was very nice. I love playing Will. This scene was very important to him because it really cemented that truth. That he loves his best friend and doesn’t know how to tell him.”
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Schnapp therefore confirms that his character is homosexual, but at the same time he says that he does not want to give a definitive answer. “The great thing is that the public can interpret for themselves whether Will is just maturing more slowly than his friends or whether he is really gay.”
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Watch the season 4 trailer here.
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