'Stranger Things' Noah Schnapp FINALLY Confirms His Character’s Sexuality: 'It's 100% Clear'

After four seasons of 'Stranger Things,' fans have finally gotten the answer to the question about Will's sexuality.

In the second volume of season 4, released on July 1st, an emotional scene between Will Byers and Mike Wheeler gave it all away. While Netflix refused to spell it out, it was clear for fans to see.

Noah Schnapp, who plays Will, went the extra mile to confirm that the character is gay. Fans loved the gesture since he refused to confirm in the past and simply said that Will's sexuality was up to their interpretation.

In an interview with Variety, Schnapp noted that it was "100% clear" that his character is gay and in love with Finn Wolfhard's character, Mike Wheeler.

Keep reading to find out more.

Netflix has hinted at the character's sexuality over the past few seasons. Through the show, fans have seen his struggle with fitting in and dealing with his feelings for his best friend, Mike. 

It was more evident in the eighth episode of the most recent season when Will gave Mike a pep talk during a road trip. In the episode, Mike ranted about his girlfriend, Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown), to Will, who assured him of how much she still loved him. 

He also referred to Eleven as being "different" and not knowing how to deal with it. Will then turned and cried silently as he stared out the window. It was clear to fans that he was referring to his own feelings while disguising them as Eleven's love for Mike.

In the interview, Schnapp recounted this scene and explained that it "solidified" Will's affections for Mike. Also, he was afraid of coming out to him.

About his sexuality, Schnapp noted that it was there from the start. However, fans mistook his acting differently as just maturing slower than the other kids. This season, The Duffer Brothers (the show's creators) finally clarified things to the audience.

"Obviously, it was hinted at in season one. It was always kind of there, but you never really knew, is it just him growing up slower than his friends?" Schnapp said. "Now that he's gotten older, they made it a very real, obvious thing. Now it's 100% clear that he is gay and he does love Mike. But before, it was a slow arc."

Schnapp also added that since the season's premiere, fans have walked up to him to say they related a lot to Will's character. He also revealed that he related to fans as he himself was not sure of Will's sexuality before this season.

The 17-year-old star admitted that he didn't know his own character was gay, despite being asked about it several times. "But now that I've spoken to [the Duffer Brothers] and seen the show, I know what they want to do with it," Schnapp explained.

In some interviews ahead of season 4, Schnapp was coy about answering questions on his character's sexuality. 

He said to Variety in May: "I feel like they never really address it or blatantly say how Will is. I think that's the beauty of it, that it's just up to the audience's interpretation, if it's Will kind of just refusing to grow up and growing up slower than his friends, or if he is really gay."

After the second volume of season 4 was released, several fans criticized the writing for making things vague and failing to give Will an actual coming-out scene. Schnapp then responded to the comments by defending the character. 

He noted that at the time the show was set, it was much more difficult for Will to come out than it is in the present. "First of all, it's the '80s, and the kid is a freshman. Let them slowly develop the plot and when he does come out, it will be really special and real," Schnapp said in the comments section of a now-deleted TikTok post.

"Stranger Things" season 4 is now available to stream on Netflix.