Noah Schnapp credits Stranger Things with helping him become more comfortable with himself

Noah Schnapp credits Stranger Things with helping him become more comfortable with himself.

The 21-year-old actor - who came out as gay in January 2023 - admitted his stint playing Will Byers not only helped him work out his sexuality but also reassured him that it is OK to feel different.

He told GQ magazine: “Seeing how the world receives Will, and embraces him, has taught me through the years to feel OK in who I am, and how I express myself...

“But it didn’t just help find my own identity sexually. As a person, it taught me that it’s OK to be me, as everything that I am.

“And I think that’s what’s so special about our show, and what’s so special about Will. It doesn’t resonate with queer people, it resonates with all people who feel different.”

Noah has felt "not part of the group" and "always that weird kid on the side" for most of his life but playing Will has helped him to embrace the things that set him apart from others.

He said: “I’ll carry that with me through my life.”