Very few character transitions feel as poignant as Noah Schnapp’s. From a vulnerable 12-year-old in Season to a powerful man in Season 5, Noah's character Will, has seen some remarkable changes.

He has earned millions of fans worldwide, for whom Noah Schnapp hasn’t just played Will Byers; he’s become inseparable from the character who disappeared in that first haunting season of Stranger Things.

In the first season, Will is the quiet, shy kid who is abducted into the Upside Down, setting the entire plot in motion. 

He is a victim of the supernatural world and the focus of the search in the first season, as his mother and friends go out looking for him.

He was brought to the spotlight, joining the main cast in Season 2. After his rescue, he struggles with being possessed by the Mind Flayer. He now possess certain psychic abilities known as True Sight. 

The group discovers the Mind Flayer hates heat, leading Joyce, Jonathan, and Nancy to perform a "heat exorcism" in Hopper's cabin to drive the monster's particles out of Will's body. 

Season 3 saw a more close look at his emotions and a different struggle, as he wanted to stay young while his friends moved toward adolescence and romance.

Will opens up about his connection with the Mind Flayer to Mike, Lucas, Eleven, and Max, speculating that it has possessed Billy.

He struggles with his own identity, feelings and isolation continue in Season 4. He often feels left behind in the shift from childhood to adolescence.

Will’s unspoken feelings for Mike become one of the show’s most discussed subplots as Schnapp communicated the script with perfection. 

In the final season, Schnapp's character finds self-acceptance and flourishes after realising his differences are his superpower, marking a significant shift. 

By Season 5, Will is no longer just a victim; he is now a central figure with a strong, direct side as he confronts Vecna, drawing on their psychic link, and starts using his newfound powers.