Stranger Things’ fifth and final season is finally here, and fans are buzzing over Will Byers’ emotional journey and the ongoing speculation around his relationship with Mike Wheeler. While previous seasons offered glimpses of a deeper bond between the two, season five dives into Will coming to terms with his sexuality, adding a new layer of complexity to their friendship. But, despite the fan theories and shipping excitement, subtle hints from the cast suggest that a full-blown Byler romance may not actually happen.

Byler Hints Throughout Stranger Things

From season one, Mike’s determination to find Will after his disappearance showed loyalty that went beyond a typical friendship. Will’s nervous but genuine reactions around Mike, his confiding moments, and visible relief when Mike is near, have fueled fan speculation for years.

Memorable moments—like Mike holding Will’s hand in season three during a tense Upside Down scene or insisting in season two that he won’t leave Will behind—have been endlessly discussed and celebrated online. Every glance, touch, and gesture has kept the “Byler” fandom engaged, creating high expectations for a romantic payoff.

Noah Schnapp and Finn Wolfhard offer a Nuanced Take

Noah Schnapp, who plays Will, recently addressed the fan discussion while hinting that the storyline may not go as some expect. Speaking on Watch What Happens Live, Schnapp shared:

“It’s a real authentic representation of a queer kid in the ‘80s. I’ve dealt with that myself, like being in love with my best friend, and maybe they don’t love you back or they feel differently. I’m not gonna spoil anything, but I think the Duffers close it really well.”

In another interview with Cosmopolitian he said, “It’s probably the most commented comment in all my late-night videos. And I always ignore it,”

Schnapp’s wording is careful—he emphasizes the authenticity of Will’s journey but subtly suggests that the feelings may not be reciprocated in a romantic sense, leaving the outcome ambiguous.

Similarly, Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike, addressed fan speculation in an Attitude interview. While acknowledging the popularity of shipping, he implied that an on-screen romantic development would need to feel earned:

“The shipping thing, that’s always something with fans of the show. That’s something in the show that I feel like if it did happen, it wouldn’t feel that earned… What’s so great about the show is that people are able to sort of feed themselves and be accepted for who they are.”

@attitudemag

Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard has responded to fans shipping Byler in a new interview with Attitude – with Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo also reflecting on fan theories. #StrangerThings #FinnWolfhard #Byler #CalebMcLaughlin #GatenMatarazzo

♬ original sound – Attitude Magazine

Wolfhard’s comments reinforce the idea that while the Byler connection is meaningful and emotionally rich, the series may not give fans a traditional romantic resolution.

Co-creator Ross Duffer told Variety that Will’s storyline is about much more than sexuality alone:

“Part of his journey – it’s not just sexuality, it’s Will coming into his own as a young man.”

This statement frames season five as a broader exploration of Will’s identity, friendships, and personal growth, rather than a direct romantic arc.

The Byler fandom remains deeply invested, interpreting subtle gestures and emotional moments as potential signs of romance. Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) remarked:

“It’s fun and engaging, and it’s really cool that people have the opportunity to discuss what they want to see or even predict… Some of the fan theories that turn out to be true are always really freaky.”

Earlier, David Harbour had hinted that Byler might not happen in the final season. He said,

Mike seems to love Eleven. So I’m sorry for all of you um -what do you call them?- Byler, I don’t know if your ship is going to sail.”

Could Byler Actually Be the Endgame?

As fans continue to speculate, Stranger Things keeps the Byler storyline intriguingly ambiguous. Will’s journey this season focuses on self-discovery and personal growth, but subtle moments and hints throughout the series suggest that a romantic connection with Mike could still be possible.

While Noah Schnapp and Finn Wolfhard’s comments leave the outcome open-ended, Byler fans have plenty of reason to hold onto hope. Ultimately, we’ll have to wait until the end of the final season to see whether Byler truly becomes the endgame—or if their bond remains a deeply meaningful friendship with the potential for something more.