Noah Schnapp gets emotional as Stranger Things ends

Noah Schnapp, who stepped into the global spotlight as a child through his role in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, is reflecting deeply on the journey as the show prepares to release its fifth and final season this month. The actor, now older and more self-aware, says closing this chapter feels emotional because the series shaped not only his career but also his personal life.

For Noah, one of the greatest gifts of the show has been his close bond with Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven. Their friendship began when both were young teenagers navigating sudden global fame. Over time, the relationship matured into something he describes as sibling-like, rooted in trust, loyalty, and genuine understanding.

Comparing their dynamic to their characters Will and Eleven, Noah says, “Their loyalty to each other is something I love. In the show, we got to play siblings, and now we even joke that we’re triplets. I genuinely consider Millie both my on-screen and off-screen sibling.”

He speaks with particular admiration about Millie’s honesty. According to him, she is the one person whose advice he accepts without hesitation. “When other people give me advice, I wonder about their hidden motives—what angle they’re coming from, what’s behind their opinion. But with Millie, I instantly know she speaks nothing but the truth. She has this grounding energy that keeps me connected to who I really am.”

Noah also credits Millie for helping him maintain his sense of wonder and innocence despite the pressures of the entertainment industry. “It’s easy to get disconnected and jaded when you grow up working in this field. You lose that childlike spark. But she always brings me back to that wide-eyed kid with a silly mindset. She reminds me that part of me still exists, even if it’s hard to find sometimes.”

Growing up in the public eye brought challenges that most teenagers never face. Noah recalls how young actors often deal with teasing or awkward moments within their friend circle, but in his case, the world was watching. Every gesture, statement, and personal detail became a topic of discussion—including aspects of his identity like his sexuality, which he has previously said became public conversation long before he was ready.

He admits that the pressure to appear composed, mature, or always “right” was overwhelming at times. “When you’re growing up in a small town, only your friends tease you for doing something embarrassing. But when you grow up in front of millions of people, the scrutiny is intense. There’s this expectation that you should know everything and behave like an adult even when you’re still just figuring out who you are.”

Despite the emotional strain, Noah says the experience wasn’t entirely negative. Being surrounded by other young actors—Millie, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo—who were going through similar experiences created a strong support system. They shared the same pressures, fears, triumphs, and awkward teenage moments, which made the journey more manageable.

“It was definitely challenging, but also really positive,” he says. “There were moments where the scrutiny tore down my confidence, but there were also moments where my co-stars built it right back up. Growing alongside them helped me stay grounded.”

As Stranger Things prepares to end, Noah feels a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. The show not only made his career but also shaped his personality, gave him lifelong relationships, and taught him resilience. While saying goodbye feels emotional, he says he will forever remain thankful for the journey and the people who walked it with him.