Summary
Noah Schnapp teased about his character Will Byers potentially crushing on Finn Wolfhard’s Mike Wheeler and the relationsip being addressed inStranger ThingsSeason 5. Schnapp hinted that fans had something to look forward to in the final season.
Schnapp and Wolfhard were only 11 and 12 when they started filmingStranger Thingsin November 2015. The pair have grown up in the spotlight thanks to their roles as Will and Mike in the hit TV series. Schnapp had to deal with his character’s trauma during his time in the “Upside Down” while Wolfhard navigated Mike’s evolving relationship with his friends and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). They will be returning forStranger ThingsSeason 5, and Schnapp briefly talks about his character’s connection with Wolfhard’s Mike.
Stranger Thingsfans have speculated that there’s more than friendship between Will and Mike due to their deep and emotional bond throughout the series. The duo is the closest in the group, prompting fans to speculate about their relationship due to the care, loyalty, and emotional support they show for each other. Schnapp was asked about Will harboring romantic feelings for Mike at the “Upside Down Con” and he seemingly acknowledged it but did not directly confirm it. “You guys are going to get me in trouble. Spoiler. How has their relationship evolved? I think it has had its ups and downs,“Schnapp said viaUpsideDownScoopon X.“I feel like you could tell right from the beginning that Mike and Will were a pair.Then there was Lucasand Dustin, who were a pair.”
Schnapp did not confirm if Mike and Will’s relationship was beyond friendship, but he seemingly teased that Will may have harbored special feelings for his pal. “And Mike was always super protective of Will and would always lean on him, and you could never really tell if it was something romantic or just a really special friendship. And then, as it goes on, you kind of realize that Will does have… Am I allowed to say this?” Schnapp continued. In an interview withVarietyin 2022, Schnapp talked about Will’s feelings for Mike andconfirmed that Will was gay. “Yeah, I think it is. Obviously, it was hinted at in Season 1: It was always kind of there, but you never really knew, is it just him growing up slower than his friends? Now that he’s gotten older, they made it a very real, obvious thing,“Schnapp said about his character Will.“Now it’s 100% clear that he is gay and he does love Mike.”
It’s understandable whyStranger Thingsfans feel there’s something going on between Will and Mike due to their tight bond. When Will disappeared in Season 1, it was Mike who was the most determined to find him and the latter’s concern for the former was evident in later seasons. Mike often serves as Will’s protector and comforts him during tough times. Since the pair grew up together when they were kids, their bond feels organic and genuine. However, their emotional scenes in Season 4 probably sealed the rumors. In one scene, Will opens up about feeling left behind while assuring Mike about his relationship with Eleven and hinting about his own unspoken feelings. The scene between the pair added complexity to their relationship and layers to Will’s potential unrequited love.Schnapp and Wolfhardare also close in real life and their playful dynamic off-screen only adds chemistry to their characters' perceived relationship.
Stranger ThingsSeason 5 is expected to premiere on Netflix in early 2025.
