Stranger things has always had a gay character
Recent Posts
Like the rest of the world I devoured Stranger Things this year. After discussing it obsessively with everyone who would engage with me, I realized how much I had to say and turned to his blog. Yes, this series is long and obsessive but in my defense you were warned. If you read my bio above, it says: “Basically, I talk about the books I’m reading and the shows I’m watching in a level of detail that is too embarrassing to do in actual life.” That’s what this is. I had originally planned to do a straightforward review, but as I was writing his it turned into a series of mini character-focused essay akin to my I care too much about fictional charactersseries, so that’s what it is. The short version of the Stranger Things 4 review is: I really liked it and I’m really looking forward to season five.
The drawn-out version is… a lot longer. When I realized my thoughts were nearly 10k words I decided to split them up into more manageable chunks. If you follow me, prepare to get spammed with a lot of Stranger Things content.
In the previous installment I discussed the missed opportunities with Eleven’s storyline. This time it’s Will
Stranger Things' Robin aka Maya Hawke says her ethics wasn't gay in the script
Stranger Things season three has been called the queerest yet by Homosexual fans, and rightly so. After finally introducing a lesbian character in the form of Robin (played by Maya Hawke), gay fans seemed pretty chuffed with the seamless way her sexuality was revealed in the show. It wasn't made a large deal of, which is rare considering most gender non-conforming characters in mainstream shows are subjected to a huge coming out plot (that gets very mature very quickly let me tell ya).
Maya Hawke - who we just learned has Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke as parents?! - just revealed her character Robin's sexuality wasn't originally scripted. Yep, Robin was originally written as a love interest (of course) for Steve, played by Joe Keery.
In an interview with Wall Street Journal Magazine, Maya explained, "Throughout filming, we started to feel prefer she and (Steve) shouldn’t get together, and that’s she’s gay. Even when I go back and watch earlier episodes, it just seems like the most obvious decision ever."
Robin (Maya Hawke) was originally written as the like interest for Steve (Joe Keery)
Maya
When Robin Buckley came out as a lesbian in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 3, it was one of the most heart-warming moments of the show. Her coming out speech to Steve was beautiful, subtle and thoughtful. It felt like authentic gender non-conforming representation while it also retained Robin’s individual personality. So, naturally, fans of the show expected Will — who has long been hinted to be gay — to be treated with the same respect.
Another reason for these high expectations was the promotional content put out between Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Season 4. During this one month — coincidentally, American Pride month — several official Netflix and ‘Stranger Things’ accounts posted content about Byler (the ship name for Will and Mike). A few other instances include a tweet in sustain of Byler by Noah Schnapp (who plays Will) and a video in which David Harbour (who plays Hopper) hinted that Will was interested in someone from the main group.
The cast and crew were clearly accepting LGBTQ character ships with open arms. It raised the aspire that Will’s intimate arc would be treated with the same importance given to other characters. Then why was this not reflected on screen?
Will’s Massive Sp Warning: This post contains spoilers for “Stranger Things” season three. Speculation about the sexual orientation of Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), one of the central characters on the Netflix hit series “Stranger Things,” has been swirling since the exhibit began in 2016. Now, a development in the series’ latest season, which debuted July 4, has fueled additional fan chatter — and even has the actor who plays the part speaking out. In the third episode of season three, titled “The Case of the Missing Lifeguard,” Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) yells at Will, “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls.” The comment did not go unnoticed by fans. "OK OK OK HOLD UP....Episode 3....... did Mike insinuate that Will is Gay??? Or is it just because he’s still 'young' and not into girls yet?" one fan tweeted. Another fan added: “WILL BYERS IS GAY OH MY GOD NO WONDER HE’S MY FAVORITE.” When asked by The Wrap about the comment and the subsequent fan speculation, Noah, 14, neither confirmed nor denied that his teenage traits is gay, saying, “It’s really up to interpretation.” “While all the c Stranger Things 2 Spoilers Below In the first season of Stranger Things, it was insinuated several times that Will was gay. Of course, it was always mentioned negatively — really it was the knee-jerk reaction of unimaginative bullies to a sensitive kid who likes to draw. But it came up just enough times last year to be noticeable, and to be glaringly missing this moment around. Particularly because Stranger Things 2 is so relationship-heavy. Last season had a heavy dose of love to it, but now our kids are a year deeper into adolescence, and the hormones are spreading like a tentacle through a pumpkin patch. Even the adults are getting in on it — Joyce has Bob. Hopper wishes he had Joyce. Heck, even Mrs. Wheeler has her teenage romance novel fantasy. And at the center of it all is Will, who is utterly stripped of romantic interest. To be fair, he’s got other things on his thought. For half the season he’s slipping in and out of the Upside Down, and for the other half he’s possessed by a Sh
'Stranger Things' star says character's sexuality 'up to interpretation'
Let’s Talk About Will on ‘Stranger Things’
Did ‘Stranger Things 2’ Sweep Will’s Sexuality Under the Rug?