"Real authentic representation of a queer kid" Noah Schnapp reveals how Mike and Will's arc will end in Stranger Things 5

Stranger Things fans will finally get the resolution they want to Finn Wolfhard's Mike Wheeler and Noah Schnapp's Will Byers' relationship in the series' final episodes, and from what Schnapp describes it as, it will be an authentic representation that stays true to the characters and their feelings.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Schnapp opened up on how Mike and Will's arc will end this season, and how the Duffers have brought it to a satisfying ending as he said,

“Look, it’s like a real, authentic representation of a queer kid in the ’80s. I’ve dealt with that myself, being in love with my best friend, and maybe they don’t love you back, or maybe they feel differently. I’m not gonna spoil anything, but I think the Duffers close it really well.”

During a 2022 interview, shortly after the show's fourth season aired, Schnapp had opened up on Will and Mike's complicated relationship and the difficulties his character faced in hiding ad hinting his feelings. Speaking to Variety, the actor said,

"I mean, it’s pretty clear this season that Will has feelings for Mike. They’ve been intentionally pulling that out over the past few seasons. Even in Season 1, they hinted at that and slowly, slowly grew that storyline. I think for Season 4, it was just me playing this character who loves his best friend but struggles with knowing if he’ll be accepted or not, and feeling like a mistake and like he doesn’t belong."

More details about Will Byers and Mike Wheeler's arc on Stranger Things

Will and Mike's relationship has always been the central emotional pillar of Stranger Things, and as the seasons have evolved, so has their relationship, with Will's romantic feelings for Mike becoming clearer. What began as childhood friendship has transformed into one of the core dynamics on the show, and as the fifth season approaches, the 'Byler' ship will finally see it's conclusion and fans are excited to see what turn it will take.

Their relationship saw a sharp turn in the fourth season, where Will's romantic feelings were more explicit and he struggles to navigate his devotion to a best friend whose attention remained fixed on Millie Bobby Brown's Eleven.

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While Mike’s primary focus throughout Stranger Things has remained on his relationship with Eleven, the final season promises to confront the unresolved tension between him and Will. Both Noah Schnapp and Finn Wolfhard have hinted that the series finale will provide a "well-crafted" resolution to their story.

Whether this culminates in a romantic confession or a profound platonic affirmation, the resolution of the Mike-Will dynamic is essential to the show’s themes of identity and shared history. In the end, the fate of Hawkins may depend as much on the strength of this bond as it does on any superpower.

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