Potential spoilers ahead for Stranger Things Season 4
Stranger Things Season 4 is aging like a fine wine. The show recently passed an incredible amount of hours viewed, and we are already hearing small whispers of what the show’s fifth and final season may bring. Among the show’s terror, humor, and adventure, the heart of the series is very much a coming-of-age tale. Much like many movies and television shows before it, Stranger Things uses this to deepen its characters and their actions, and by extension, reactions to certain scenarios.
Since Season 1, the hit Netflix show has strongly hinted about one of its characters, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), and the possibility of his being gay. Will’s character hasn’t always been at the forefront of the show, but he has always been incredibly important. The Duffer brothers, in a recent interview, have even gone on record and said that those are the questions that should be asked. In a recent sit-down with Variety, the Stranger Things actor did come out, as it were, about his character, and elaborated fully on the character’s sexuality.
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Variety: What did you understand about what that personal journey would look like, what Will was going to be contending with?
Variety: The conversation that Will and Mike have in the van, where Will is essentially telling Mike how he feels about him, but through the prism of Eleven — that was so heartbreaking. What do you remember about shooting it?
Variety: A lot of fans feel like Mike has been a pretty terrible friend to Will over the last couple of seasons. How do you feel about that relationship?
Variety: Then there’s the follow-up scene between Will and his older brother Jonathan, when Jonathan communicates to Will, basically, I know you’re gay and I’m always here for you — without ever using those words. What did the Duffers say to you about that scene when you shot it?
Variety: As you alluded to earlier, the implication that people perceive Will as gay is baked into the very first episode of the show. But in past interviews, including one that you did with me for Volume 1 of Season 4, you’ve talked instead about how you saw Will as still figuring out that aspect of his identity. Did it feel like it was a spoiler to say outright, “Yes, Will is wrestling with being gay and coming out”?
The article provides more great material on everything from memes of Will crying in the van to the actor’s recent DM faux pas with Doja Cat. The heart of the interview though, focuses, rightfully so, on an issue many teenagers find themselves struggling with and many with a deep affinity for friendship. That realization they may have that they have a “Mike” in their life. Many people draw inspiration from shows and movies, and the connection one may feel with a character and their similarities to their own. Perhaps, many members of the LGBTQ+ community that need inspiration can find that small piece of themselves in Will Byers.
