Noah Schnapp has shared a heartfelt message with fans as the final episodes of the Netflix series are released, with the series finale dropping on 1 January
Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp has urged fans to “cherish” the final moments of the beloved series as its final episodes are released on Netflix before the grand finale on January 1. The-21 year-old, who portrays Will Byers in the acclaimed sci-fi drama, features in the story of a group of mates from the fictional Hawkins, who confront sinister forces from an alternative realm known as the Upside Down.
During the first series of this 1980s-set coming-of-age tale, Will vanishes into the Upside Down, prompting his friends to launch a rescue mission with assistance from a newcomer – a telekinetic girl called Eleven, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown. The fifth and final series, split into three segments with the second volume dropping on Boxing Day before the finale on New Year’s Day, depicts Hawkins under military lockdown and an escalated search for Eleven, whilst the group of friends face off against villain Vecna one last time.
Sharing a post on Instagram, Schnapp declared: “So excited to share this chapter with all of you. As we head into the final week of Stranger Things, please take a moment to really soak it in. Cherish these last moments, finding comfort in your favourite characters, debriefing with friends, reliving scenes together online afterward. These matter more than we sometimes realise.
“I’m truly so grateful for the family we’ve built here. I love you all like my own close friends and family. One of the greatest joys for me has been watching you form real friendships with each other, meeting you unexpectedly in public (or purposefully on DMs and video games) and feeling your pure excitement, and knowing how much this show has meant to so many people who needed connection, belonging, and a place to feel accepted.”
He concluded: “You will always have a place with me, and in this show, no matter who you are. We love you exactly as you are.” The actor also urged fans to embrace one of the programme’s central themes regarding self-acceptance, with the first volume of series five depicting Schnapp’s character Will starting to accept his identity after seemingly wrestling with his sexuality.
This follows Schnapp’s candid discussion about his own sexuality during a 2023 Variety interview, where he described coming out as gay as “liberating”. He continued: “If there’s one thing to remember from our show: connection is what keeps us alive. And the only way to truly connect is to let people see the real you, and realize you can be loved even more when you do. Real power isn’t telekinesis or cool hand movements (though those can be pretty badass). It’s friendship, loyalty, and accepting yourself and others exactly as we come.”
Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things made its debut in 2016 and boasts a star-studded cast including Winona Ryder of Beetlejuice fame, David Harbour from Hellboy, and actors Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Sadie Sink, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer and Maya Hawke.
The franchise has since branched out into theatre with the play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, and an animated spin-off is on the horizon, titled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. The fifth series finale of Stranger Things will be available on Netflix on New Year’s Day.
