As the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things approaches, stars Millie Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp have opened up about their remarkable friendship journey that began when they were just children on the hit Netflix series.
From Childhood Crushes to Sibling Bond
In a candid joint interview with Vogue published earlier this month, the 21-year-old actors revisited their earliest memories from the show's launch in 2016. Schnapp, who portrays Will Byers, recalled meeting Brown before she shaved her head for her iconic role as Eleven, admitting he didn't immediately recognize her without her hair.
Schnapp remembered developing an instant connection with his co-star, saying he felt bonded to Brown "right away" and adding, "I thought you were, like, so funny and made me feel so comfortable." The conversation took a surprising turn when Schnapp joked that Brown was initially attracted to him—prompting her to confess she "did have like the biggest crush on [him]" during their growing-up years.
Brown elaborated on her feelings, stating, "I loved you so much. But I actually just think it was really platonic. I was like, 'Oh my God, I love him so much.'" Schnapp acknowledged the mutual attraction, revealing that at one point he believed he "was in love with" Brown, though both emphasized that their bond ultimately evolved into a deep, sibling-like relationship.
Saying Goodbye to Hawkins
In a separate interview with Entertainment Tonight in November 2025, the actors spoke emotionally about bidding farewell to the series that defined their childhoods. The final season of Stranger Things is set to debut on Netflix on November 26, marking the end of an era for fans and cast members alike.
When asked what they would miss most about the show, both actors immediately answered "each other." Schnapp beautifully explained that their dynamic mirrors the one he shares with his twin sister, Chloe, prompting Brown to jokingly declare, "I'm actually the triplet."
Their friendship has grown so strong that Schnapp later became the godfather to Brown and Jake Bongiovi's baby, cementing their bond beyond the screen.
The Final Battle Approaches
Netflix has released the full synopsis for Stranger Things Season 5, setting the stage for an epic conclusion. The story picks up in the fall of 1987 with Hawkins scarred by the opening of the Rifts. Our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna.
However, Vecna has vanished—his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will's disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread.
The final battle is looming—and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they've faced before. To end this nightmare, they'll need everyone—the full party—standing together, one last time.
Despite the show ending, Brown and Schnapp stressed that they plan to continue nurturing their friendship long after their time in Hawkins concludes, proving that some bonds formed in the Upside Down can survive in the real world.
