Noah Schnapp’s portrayal of Will Byers in Stranger Things 5 comes with a noticeable change that is exciting fans: the famously outdated bowl cut is gone, making way for a fresh new hairstyle. The much-anticipated update, which features in new teaser footage, has become a central point of discussion, especially as the show prepares for its final season amid ongoing debates about Schnapp himself.
After Years of Memes, Will Byers Reveals a Modern Look in Stranger Things 5
Will Byers’ hairstyle has been the subject of widespread commentary since Stranger Things debuted, often rivaling the show’s monsters in terms of notoriety. Throughout the previous seasons, Will endured traumatic supernatural events and deep emotional turmoil, but viewers never failed to fixate on his blunt, 1980s-inspired bowl cut, which became a consistent point of online humor and memes. Each new season reignited the call for a change, as many felt the hairstyle kept his character visually and emotionally anchored in the past, failing to reflect his aging or growth.
The creators of the series faced frequent appeals from fans to update Will’s appearance, and even Noah Schnapp repeatedly questioned the enduring nature of the haircut in interviews. During an appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s show, Schnapp said,
“One of the worst. I can’t begin to explain. I literally ask them all the time, ‘Why doesn’t Will, maybe he shaves his head?’ But really, did everyone have that haircut in the ’80s? Who would choose to have that haircut?”
—Noah Schnapp, Actor
Season 5 answers these long-standing calls with a subtler, more natural hairstyle for Will, spotted in both teaser trailers and behind-the-scenes photos. This new, relaxed look signals a maturity in Will’s character that fans have been wanting to see. The shift does not drastically alter the storyline, but it does offer longtime viewers a satisfying sense of progress—something symbolic for a character who often seemed perpetually stuck in earlier seasons. This visually updated Will gives fans another reason to be excited for what’s next, even as they anticipate much darker plot twists to come.
Will Byers Steps Into the Spotlight—and Potentially the Key Role in Season 5
For the first time in years, Will Byers appears poised to take on a central role in Stranger Things 5. When the series began, his disappearance sparked the initial chain of events, but over subsequent seasons, his character spent long stretches in the background as others came to the fore. With the show‘s end approaching, Will’s importance is being reestablished, and his new look complements the anticipation of his bigger narrative arc.
The final season promises to explore Will’s unique connection to both the Upside Down and Vecna, raising questions about how his experiences with supernatural forces have shaped him. Will’s capacity to sense danger and predict threats—traits that distinguished him in Europe’s early episodes—may be amplified now that the barriers between worlds are weaker. This could put Will at the heart of the group’s efforts as they prepare for one last battle with the Upside Down’s forces.
Theories within the fandom echo this shift. Some propose that Vecna’s influence over Will dates back to the first season, suggesting a psychic or mystical bond that makes Will vital to both the enemy and his friends. Others believe that because Will was the original target in the story, the narrative might offer answers about why he was chosen, and whether he shares a mental link with Vecna.
Hints from Netflix indicate that the series will circle back to crucial moments from season one, especially the night of Will’s disappearance, potentially revealing new secrets about his role. In parallel, the pressures on Eleven—who finds herself on the run from government agents—could force Will to take on greater responsibility within their circle of friends.
Despite witnessing major heroic moments from other characters, Will has yet to experience his own breakout moment. The structure of Stranger Things 5 seems to set the stage for him to step forward, armed with a new look and possibly new powers or insights into the unfolding crisis. As the group faces their hardest challenge, Will may ultimately become the one who leads them through it, fulfilling the promise of his character development and resonating with viewers who have followed his journey since the beginning.
Anticipation Builds as Stranger Things 5 Launch Approaches
The final chapter of Stranger Things is scheduled for a staged release, starting with four episodes on November 26, followed by three on December 25, and concluding with the finale on December 31, available exclusively on Netflix. This release format gives fans more time to engage with each part of the narrative, heightening speculation and excitement around the fates of Will Byers, Eleven, and the rest of the ensemble cast.
As the end draws near, the focus on Noah Schnapp’s Will Byers—now with a modern hairstyle and a more prominent storyline—reflects how small evolutions can resonate deeply in long-running stories. Whether or not the new look changes Will’s fate or alters relationships within the group, it shows that even minor details, like a long-awaited hair update, can become powerful symbols of change and growth across beloved series like Stranger Things.
