Sun Dec 28 06:30:00 UTC 2025: ## ‘Stranger Things’ Creator Confirms: Mike Finally Understands Will’s Feelings in Powerful Coming Out Scene

Hawkins, Indiana – In a pivotal scene from the latest season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) bravely comes out to his family and friends, revealing the crush he harbors is on someone close to him. While the scene is a powerful moment for Will, many fans wondered if Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) truly grasped the significance of Will’s confession.

Now, series co-creator Ross Duffer has confirmed that Mike does, in fact, understand Will’s feelings are directed towards him. During Will’s monologue, where he references a “Tammy” – a nod to Robin Buckley’s own coming out story – the camera focuses on Mike, a deliberate choice by the Duffer brothers to signal his realization.

“That was the intent,” Duffer told PEOPLE, confirming that Mike is “clocking what Will felt over the years.” He emphasizes that Mike and the rest of the group is “realizing and understanding now for the first time, even if Mike has been somewhat oblivious over these years.”

The emotionally charged scene sees Will share his truth with his mother Joyce (Winona Ryder), brother Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), and friends Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Max (Sadie Sink), Robin (Maya Hawke), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), and Steve (Joe Keery), before they head into the final battle against Vecna.

“I haven’t told any of you this because I don’t want you to see me differently, but the truth is I am different… I just don’t like girls,” Will confesses in the heart-wrenching moment.

Schnapp, who publicly came out as gay himself earlier this year, shared with PEOPLE how moved he was by the writing. “I read it, and I just cried reading it, and I was like, ‘This is perfect. They did it.'” He praised the Duffer brothers for consulting with queer family and friends to ensure the scene was handled with sensitivity and authenticity.

While the scene focuses on Mike’s understanding, Duffer also stressed its broader importance. “It’s about Will understanding who he is and being less fearful and expressing himself to all his friends and family,” he explained.

Volumes 1 and 2 of the latest “Stranger Things” season are available to stream on Netflix. The finale premiered December 31st.

Read More