If anyone has gotten the short end of the stick in the world of “Stranger Things,” it has to be Noah Schnapp’s Will Byers. Absent for much of the first season and then a key part of the second, the writers have seemingly struggled ever since to figure out what to do with the character.
The recent fourth season seemingly confirmed rumors about Will’s sexuality (though it never outright states it), even as it was widely seen as mishandling that aspect in the first of two key scenes about it.
On the other hand, the second scene involving a kind of heartfelt moment between him and his (also sidelined) brother Jonathan was one of the recent season finale’s high points. Even so, it often felt like the pair were barely in the recent season.
Fans have been concerned that the upcoming fifth and final run will once again drop the ball when it comes to handling Will’s storyline. In an interview with Forbes, Schnapp says not to worry as the show’s new season will come full-circle:
“I can just tell you that I’m very, very excited for what’s to come. I think they did a great job with Will’s character this season and beautifully addressed everything they needed to. The way they closed the show is just perfect – the story started with Will, and it’ll end with Will.”
Will has long had a psychic connection to the Upside Down since he first disappeared in the show’s first episode. The new season is set to take place within Hawkins, with the whole group back together after being split apart in the fourth season.
All four seasons of “Stranger Things” are available to stream exclusively on Netflix, with the fifth season to shoot for a good chunk of 2023 ahead for a 2024 airing.
