Noah Schnapp Is Terrifyingly Excited for Final Season

It’s safe to say that Noah Schnapp is in his feelings because stranger things That’s not the only thing that’s coming to an end.

As the fifth and final season of the hit Netflix show approaches, the 21-year-old actor is preparing to part ways with a character that has been with him for a decade. Schnapp made his debut in season one in 2016 as Will Byers. He admits that initially he was “just playing myself”: “I was this shy, timid little boy.”

But over the course of 10 years, Will not only grew up on screen, but Schnapp also grew up in real life, attending the University of Pennsylvania to study film. But as he prepares to graduate next year, there’s a lot left to process as two big chapters reach their final pages.

“I’m graduating in a few months and have finals coming up at the same time,” he explains. hollywood reporter“All these chapters of my childhood are closing, and now I’m stepping into a whole new world where anything can happen, It’s equally scary and exciting,”

Below, Schnapp opens up about Will’s journey in Hawkins and reveals what fans can expect in the final season, releasing in three parts starting Thursday. He also talks about why he decided to go to college while shooting the show, how he handles online criticism and what he looks forward to most post-stranger things,

since stranger things And Will has been a part of your life for quite some time, when you think about the actor you were in the beginning and who you are now, what comes to mind?

I have gained a lot of confidence as an actor. When I was younger, I was just pushed around and told what to do, trying to figure out what I was allowed to speak up for and what I wasn’t. Now I know my role in this entire project, and I am allowed to speak and express my perspective on it. When I feel there is something important for my character, I have become much more collaborative and vocal with directors and try to grow as an actor. When you’re surrounded by so many talented people for so many years, you try to be a sponge.

There were several years between the filming of seasons four and five. Were you nervous going into this final season, or did you feel like you were returning home in a way?

The most nervous thing is because this show grows and grows every year. There was a lot of pressure on this final season as it was also the last one. So I felt extremely nervous about the expectations we had to meet, but also excited to be back with the people I love and to reconnect with my best friends from my childhood. We will be friends for life, but the relationships we have formed while working together, filming and being together every day are unlike anything else. I’m always trying to be as present as possible through this.

How would you say Will has changed this final season compared to previous seasons?

Will has been through a lot, and all those trials and tribulations have made him such a strong person because when you go through so much and come out of it on the other side, you’re so much stronger and know so much more. In the beginning, Will was a really scared, shy little boy. He’s become a really strong, confident character, and we get to see that in the first volume.

Is there a special behind-the-scenes moment you remember during the filming of season five?

There are so many. We had Caleb (McLaughlin)’s birthday (and) we all went out and stayed up late. On my birthday, we went to a Charli XCX concert together. We celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving at Finn’s (Wolfhard) House as a group. We do more than just work to nurture our relationships. I was always at Millie’s (Bobby Brown) house. Millie threw a lot of parties. She had a Halloween party and a 4th of July party, and we always have sleepovers there. It was the most fun being with him as much as possible. And then, of course, the last day was the most memorable for me.

Since Will has been with you for so long, do you think there are parts of him that will always stay with you?

In the first season, Will was just me. I was playing myself. That shy, timid little boy. Then as we grew up, we kind of drifted apart. We’ve gone through different things that have shaped us in different ways, and I think the thing that’s always been the same is her sensitivity which I feel too, but I’m a little more outspoken and goofier. He’s a little more closed off. But it’s fun to incorporate parts of yourself and then play different aspects. With the supernatural stuff, there’s nothing I can really relate to, so it was really fun to do that.

What are you most looking forward to seeing fans’ reactions once the final season is released?

I’ve been holding it in for so long, so I’m just waiting for the day when it’s all over. It’s very touching and powerful. So to inspire a lot of people, and maybe even make people in the gay community feel empowered, I can’t wait to see how it affects people, and if it does.

Overall, What’s the Stranger Should Do things Are fans ready to head into this epic final season?

Anything can happen. The stakes are the highest they have ever been. We’re closing out our characters’ stories, so whatever’s left needs to be tied up. You’ll see all those knots finally tied up, all those questions you’ve been waiting to find out all season long. But it’s definitely our most emotional and the one we’ve put the most time and love into.

Despite your success in Hollywood at a young age, you still decided to drop out and go to college. What led you to that decision?

Growing up, education was always very important. Even on the sets, I went through many different teachers. My parents were like, “He’s not being educated well. He needs a math (teacher) and a separate English teacher.” This was always a priority for me. I have always grown up valuing that path. And it was never really a question of whether or not I would go to college, just what I would study. I knew I wanted to be an actor, but I wasn’t rushing into it. I wanted to see my childhood and have all those experiences before I rushed into everything and lost the sense of a normal life. So I had to put some projects on the side burner to prioritize school. But it’s interesting now because I’m graduating in a few months and closing is coming up as well. So all these chapters of my childhood are closing, and now I’m stepping into a whole new world where anything can happen. It is equally scary and exciting.

How did receiving a formal education in film studies enhance the knowledge gained from working on set?

All I really know is acting. It helped me explore and learn about other aspects, take screenwriting and directing classes and say, “Okay, maybe I actually want to write a movie for myself, or maybe I want to direct something.” So it’s really piqued my interest outside of the acting world that I could do that too at some point. I’m not a great screenwriter (laughsIt’s very hard, but hopefully one day we’ll learn how to do it along with the duffers.

Do you have any dream style or role you would like to play in the future?

When I was little, I always wanted to be Spider-Man and play a cool action hero, but I think now I get to do that stranger thingsSo now it’s finding things I’ve never done before, I just want to defy the expectations of what I’ve done and do something completely different – ​​maybe acting in a comedy or a movie where I’m madly in love with a girl or being a villain or something I’ve never done, That’s what I’m looking forward to and trying things outside the TV world as well, be it films or theater (or) direction, I’m really going beyond what I know, For the last 10 years I’ve been living in a little bubble stranger things,

You also came out publicly a few years ago, so would you like to do a project highlighting the LGBTQ community?

Absolutely. If the right project comes along that I feel really matches it, I will definitely do it. I don’t want to do anything just like that. Because it’s so personal to me, I’ve been a little more picky about these types of projects. I want it to really resonate and mean something, not just be another one for whatever diversity point it is. But I am absolutely ready for it.

As someone who grew up in the spotlight, how have you handled the constant online criticism and commentary?

Still figuring it out, honestly. When I was younger, I was really involved on social media and loved being there with all the fans. I respect my fans. I love connecting with them. But as I’ve gotten older, and honestly been giving advice to my co-stars who have learned to manage their online presence with their lives, I’ve learned to value privacy a little more and understand that reading thousands of opinions about yourself every day isn’t healthy, and it’s good to have some distance. I’ve just learned to have a healthy relationship with social media, but it’s hard. I will not lie. I’m sensitive and I read everything, and this definitely sticks with me. That’s why I’m so lucky to have these co-stars who I can turn to and remind of what really matters.

When you’re so public, everyone has an opinion or idea about what you should do, what you shouldn’t do, and there’s no right way to do it. If you do it this way, if you do it this way then everything is wrong in the public eye. It’s exhausting, and there’s a lot of pressure to live up to these Hollywood expectations. When you are 16, 17 years old, you don’t even know yourself. It’s been a weird experience, but I’ve also met so many amazing fans and had great conversations with so many people who really love our show and my character, and that’s always stuck with me. This is very important for me.

Is there a moment in your career so far that you are most proud of?

Winning a SAG Award was a dream come true. That’s probably one of the most memorable days, but this final season is what I’m most proud of for our show. I’m really proud that I’ve been able to preserve somewhat of a natural childhood and go to school and get a degree at an Ivy League school while being on a show.

It seems like it’s almost your version of Hannah Montana.

Friends call me Hand Montana. Literally. It’s so funny because I’ll do this press tour, we’ll go to premieres, there’s thousands of fans screaming, and then I come home at night and I have to be on Zoom and in class. And my teacher is yelling at me that I missed last week’s assignment. And I say, “Oh my God, this is literally Hannah Montana’s life.”

If you had to describe what makes Noah Schnapp, Noah Schnapp, what would you say?

Probably very honest and myself, and I never pretended in any way. I think I’ve always stayed true to who I am.

season five of stranger things Will be released in three parts: Volume 1 on November 26 (consisting of four episodes), Volume 2 on Christmas (three episodes) and The Finale on New Year’s Eve. Read the Duffer Brothers’ rewatch recommendations ahead of the final season.