Is Will Byers Gay In Stranger Things?

SPOILER WARNING - Continue at your own risk!

Stranger Things Season 4: Volume Two premiered on 1st July 2022, and it was quite a spectacle to watch. If you thought things couldn't get more exciting for the Hawkins squad, you'd be blown away by what happened in the first episode. From Eleven getting her powers back to Jim Hopper breaking out of a Russian jail thanks to Joyce Byers and Murray Bauman, things couldn't get more exhilarating. 

There's a ton to unpack from the episode, but one of the more significant moments blowing away fans' minds is the scene between Will Byers and Mike Wheeler. Finally, after seasons of questioning whether Will is gay or not, his sexuality becomes crystal clear in Stranger Things 4: Vol 2.

Stranger Things 4 Vol 2 - Is Will Byers Gay?

Throughout the series, Will faces homophobic slurs, bullying, and even his own family members depicting him as unique or weird. But rarely do we see Will show any indications that might suggest him being gay, besides what other characters say or act out.

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For most of Will's screen time, he's a talented artist who cares about his friends. But unfortunately, he doesn't have time to dabble in love because of all the traumatic experiences he's faced. As a result, Will hasn't had any personal story development besides the fact that he's been through literal hell.

Compared to love groups like Mike and Eleven, Lucas Sinclair and Max Mayfield, and Dustin Henderson with Suzie, Will's romantic awakening was bound to happen, and it was only a matter of when and with whom.

In Stranger Things 4: Vol 1, Will slowly started showing his true colors; vibrant at that, too. In the first few episodes, Will receives his first flirtatious attempt from a female classmate, to which he shrugs away and distances himself. This scene hints at the first fundamental notion of his sexuality.

The second hint is when Mike arrives in Indiana to meet Eleven after she relocates following season three's disaster at Hawkins. Will slowly expresses jealousy and doesn't seem interested in helping Eleven impress Mike. 

Throughout this volume, Will's presented as a third-wheeling side character, someone who has always been watching over Mike. Only until volume two arrives does Will's character arc make sense as he indirectly professes his love for Mike through Eleven.

In a pizza van with Jonathan Byers and Argyle driving the car to save Eleven from the government wanting to kill her, Mike starts a conversation with Will wondering if Eleven will still love him and need him. 

Will gives Mike a painting he made of their Dungeons and Dragons party, with Mike represented as "the heart" of their group for inspiring all of them. Will takes this seemingly awkward moment to unload all of his feelings reassuringly toward Mike's worrying thoughts of not being enough for Eleven.

Will says, "She's been so lost without you. It's just [that] she's so different from other people, and when you're different, sometimes you feel like a mistake. But you make her feel like she's not a mistake at all. Like she's better for being different. And that gives her courage to fight on."

In this bold and empowering statement, Will indirectly, informally, and in the most crucial of times, comes out as gay and in love with Mike in Stranger Things.

And there you have it, the question you've been dying to know. If you'd like to follow more of Will's development, check out our linked article about what to expect from Stranger Things Season 5. 

Otherwise, check out our section dedicated to Entertainment news, updates, streamer antics, drama, and more.

Featured image courtesy of Netflix.