Noah Schnapp: “Will’s coming out in Stranger Things was so personal and real”

Back at a convention during SFM9, Noah Schnapp (Will Byers) opened up about his character’s coming out scene in Stranger Things.

Since its debut in 2016 on Netflix,

Depuis son lancement en 2016 sur Netflix, Stranger Things has established itself as one of the most popular series of its generation. Created by the Duffer Brothers, it follows a group of teenagers facing supernatural phenomena in the fictional town of Hawkins. Among them, Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp, has held a central role since season 1. Over the seasons, his character has evolved, notably through a more intimate storyline surrounding his identity. So, this is what he spoke about at the Stranger Fanmeet 9 by People Convention in Paris.

This narrative evolution reflects the broader direction of the series in its later seasons, where character development and personal stories take on a more prominent role alongside the supernatural plot. Will’s journey, in particular, has resonated with many viewers, contributing to ongoing discussions within the fan community.

Will’s coming out: Noah Schnapp reflects on a particularly demanding scene in Stranger Things

During the panel at Stranger Fanmeet 9 in Paris, Noah Schnapp looked back on the impactful coming out scene of his character. He explains:

“Will’s coming out was so personal and real. I think it was the scene that represented the biggest challenge for me. And it was important because the whole cast was there. It was a bit terrifying. Especially since we filmed it overnight even though it was supposed to take place during the day.”

A scene filmed under intense conditions

Noah Schnapp also emphasized the scale of the work behind this scene:

“There were so many discussions, it was an emotionally exhausting scene, but when I finished performing it, I felt connected to the other actors in a way I never had before.”

The filming of this sequence therefore involved significant collective work, strengthening the bonds between the cast members—who still appear very close today, judging by their many convention appearances.

A personal and meaningful challenge

Beyond the acting performance, Noah Schnapp highlighted the symbolic importance of this scene:

“I was so stressed before doing it, I had never had that many lines in a scene. And it was also important for me not to mess it up, because I wanted to help all the young Will Byers around the world who could relate to it and make sure I did it right.”

So, what did you think of the coming out scene of Will on Stranger Things? Did you enjoy it?

To see the full video of Noah Schnapp during his panel, go to our YouTube channel.