Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp has admitted his character is gay and in love with his best friend Mike Wheeler.
The Netflix sci-fi hit coming of age drama has returned for the two-part four series and has left fans questioning about Will Byer's sexuality.
And now Noah, who plays the teenager, has spoken about the character's true feelings for best friend Mike (Finn Wolfhard)- saying the signs were there from the very first series.
Speaking to Variety, the young star said: '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.
''Now it's 100% clear that he is gay and he does love Mike. But before, it was a slow arc.''
Noah explained the importance of the slow paced portrayal describing it was done 'beautifully' and was important to not have Will 'all of the sudden be gay'.
He added: "'They are writing this real character and this real journey and real struggle and they're doing it so well."
The actor also acknowledged the growth of both himself as an actor and his emerging onscreen alter-ego who is still struggling from trauma after being taken by the Demogorgon and accepting his sexuality.
The interview comes as the actor faced backlash after private DMs with rapper Doja Cat were leaked, where she appeared to express a romantic interest in his Stranger Things co-star Joseph Quinn, 29.
Noah, who shared the shot on TikTok, was called out by the rapper (real name Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini) accusing him of 'snake s**t'.
The actor revealed he has since apologised, he wrote, 'Guys everything is all good I apologized and I still follow her and love her music no hard feelings' with two red heart emojis.
Doja Cat has not publicly said anything about Schnapp apologising at this time.
Meanwhile fans are eagerly awaiting the next instalment of the hit Netflix drama with writing staff is expected to return to work in August for season five, but shooting isn't expected to start until 2023.
