After nearly three years since Noah Schnapp publicly came out, his character Will Byers finally had his own moment of truth in the final season of Stranger Things. The 21-year-old actor is calling the scene “perfect,” and the thoughtful execution has sparked important conversations about LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream shows and shows that take place when being “gay” wasn’t as widely accepted.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5.
A Long-Awaited Moment Done Right
When Will Byers delivers his emotional monologue in season five, episode seven, admitting “I don’t like girls,” it represents the culmination of a journey that began in the show’s very first season. The moment arrives with careful consideration from creators Matt and Ross Duffer, director Shawn Levy, and Schnapp himself—who brought his own lived experience to the character’s pivotal scene.
“It was perfect,” Schnapp told Variety about the monologue. “I really had no notes about it.”
That’s high praise coming from an actor who was fully prepared to offer feedback based on his own coming out experience in January 2023. The relief in his assessment speaks to how seriously the creative team approached this significant character moment.
The Seeds Were Always There
Will’s sexuality has been subtly woven into the fabric of Stranger Things since the beginning. In season one, Joyce Byers mentions Will’s father used homophobic slurs against him. Season three featured Mike questioning why Will didn’t like girls. The show has never shied away from exploring Will’s journey of self-discovery—it simply took time to reach this honest moment of revelation.
This slow build wasn’t accidental. The Duffers understood that coming out isn’t a single moment but a process, especially for a young person in 1980s Indiana navigating both supernatural threats and societal pressures.
The Intensive Preparation Behind the Scene
Despite the brevity of the final cut, filming Will’s coming out required extraordinary commitment. Schnapp spent 12 hours shooting just that monologue, then returned a week later for another 12-hour session to capture additional takes.
“It was like, ‘Oh my God, how many more times can I do this scene?'” the actor recalled, though he appreciated the opportunity to explore different emotional approaches.
His preparation began months earlier, following advice from co-star Maya Hawke, whose character Robin came out in season three. Hawke’s guidance proved invaluable: learn the lines so thoroughly that they become second nature, allowing emotions to flow naturally during filming.
“I’d just go through it morning and night every day for months before shooting,” Schnapp explained, “but I wouldn’t prep how to say it or how to feel. It would just be plain saying the lines out loud with no emotion, just to sink it in.”
The Power of Chosen Words
One particularly thoughtful detail: Will never explicitly says “I’m gay” during his revelation. This creative choice mirrors Schnapp’s own coming out video, where he also avoided using that specific word.
“It’s hard, and it feels scary to say it,” Schnapp acknowledged. Considering the 1980s setting—during the height of the AIDS crisis—the pressure would have been even more intense. “When Will is first coming to terms with it in front of his friends, he’s probably scared to use that word, but there’s nothing wrong with it.”
This nuance demonstrates sophisticated understanding of how individuals navigate coming out differently, especially in less accepting eras.
Why This Scene Matters for the Story
Some viewers have questioned the logistics of Will’s revelation—particularly the setting and audience. However, understanding the scene’s narrative purpose clarifies its construction. As the penultimate episode before the series finale, this moment serves crucial dramatic function beyond character development.
Throughout the season, Vecna has weaponized his victims’ deepest fears and secrets. Will explicitly states that Vecna used his fear of coming out against him. By revealing his truth to his community and receiving their support, Will removes Vecna’s leverage. He transforms his vulnerability into strength, making him better equipped for the final confrontation.
The scene isn’t just about personal authenticity—it’s about survival strategy. In a show where psychological manipulation proves as dangerous as supernatural monsters, eliminating Vecna’s ability to exploit Will’s greatest fear becomes tactically essential.
A Supportive Cast Creates a Safe Space
Schnapp emphasized how his co-stars’ presence made the marathon filming sessions bearable. Rather than retreating to video village during takes where they weren’t on camera, the entire cast remained in their positions throughout both 12-hour shooting days.
“I’ll never forget how supportive they were on that day and how respectful and giving they were to me,” he said, noting they patiently listened to him “ramble” through countless iterations of the monologue.
This behind-the-scenes support reflects the show’s broader themes about the power of community and chosen family—the very foundations that have made Stranger Things resonate with audiences since 2016.
Representation That Respects the Era
Setting a coming out story in the 1980s presents unique challenges. The decade brought both the AIDS crisis and intensified homophobia, making LGBTQ+ visibility particularly dangerous. Stranger Things has never shied away from depicting period-accurate prejudices, from bullying to institutional discrimination.
Will’s journey honors that historical reality while showing how acceptance and support could exist even in difficult times. The show demonstrates that fear and shame don’t define queer experiences—community, courage, and connection do.
The Broader Significance
For a show that has always celebrated outsiders and championed standing against conformity, Will’s story feels entirely aligned with Stranger Things’ core values. From the beginning, the series has asked viewers to root for the marginalized, the misunderstood, and those society dismisses.
Will Byers—repeatedly victimized by supernatural forces, dismissed by adults, and struggling with identity—embodies these themes more than any other character. His coming out represents not just personal growth but the show’s commitment to its founding principles.
As Schnapp noted, some fans who claim to love Stranger Things while objecting to LGBTQ+ storylines have fundamentally misunderstood what the show has always been about. “Stranger things has ALWAYS been about being against conformity and challenging bigotry,” as one passionate fan articulated online.
Looking Toward the Finale
With the series finale arriving on New Year’s Eve, Will’s revelation positions him perfectly for the ultimate battle. Freed from the fear that Vecna could weaponize against him, supported by his community, and finally living authentically, Will enters the final confrontation without the vulnerability that has haunted him throughout the series.
It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply be ourselves—even when monsters, both real and metaphorical, threaten us for it.
