The Tears of Hawkins: Noah Schnapp Reveals Which Stranger Things Star Cried Most and the ‘Bittersweet’ Heartbreak of the Final Season

As the cultural phenomenon that is Stranger Things prepares to draw its curtains with its fifth and final season, the emotional weight of this conclusion is proving to be almost as powerful as Vecna’s psychic attacks. For the millions of fans who have grown up alongside the show’s young cast, the farewell is a monumental event, but for the actors themselves, it is nothing short of a life-altering conclusion to their shared childhood.

In an exclusive and deeply personal interview, star Noah Schnapp, who plays the pivotal character Will Byers, provided a rare glimpse into the complex emotional landscape of filming the final chapter. His words paint a picture of an experience that is at once exhilarating, heart-wrenching, and profoundly reflective, summarizing the season with one simple yet potent word: “Emotional.”

The Bittersweet End of an Era

From the very beginning of the conversation, Schnapp framed the experience with a candid acknowledgment of the duality of his feelings. Describing the atmosphere on set, he noted that the prevailing sentiment was “definitely bittersweet.” This is a sentiment shared by nearly every actor who has spent a significant portion of their formative years on a single project. The excitement stems from sharing the culmination of their work with a ravenous global audience, knowing they are providing closure to one of television’s most celebrated modern narratives. Yet, the bitterness is the necessary and painful byproduct of having to “say goodbye” to the characters, the world of Hawkins, and, most importantly, the unique camaraderie that defined their adolescence.

For Schnapp and his co-stars—Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin—Stranger Things was not just a job; it was the entire framework of their young lives. It was their school, their playground, and their extended family. The Duffer Brothers’ creation didn’t just give them careers; it provided a shared, accelerated journey through fame, success, and the often-confusing process of growing up under an intense spotlight. To close that chapter means not just wrapping a show, but concluding a fundamental stage of their personal development.

Forging a Family: The Unbreakable Cast Bond

Schnapp repeatedly emphasized that the cast has long since transcended the label of mere co-stars; they have “grown into a family.” This depth of connection is often cited by ensemble casts, but in the case of the Stranger Things crew, the bond is verifiable, forged in the fires of joint obscurity and rapid, overwhelming fame. They were children when they started, navigating their way through the intricate set designs of the 1980s, learning lines, and facing the sudden onset of worldwide recognition, all as a unit.

This unique history made their return for Season 5 particularly poignant. Schnapp revealed that the finality of the situation had a unifying effect. “It was the most special,” he stated, acknowledging that “coming back and knowing this was all we had left together, one final time, really I think helped us become the closest we’d ever been as a cast.” The existential deadline of the series finale acted as a catalyst, pushing their already deep friendships to an unprecedented level of closeness and appreciation. Every scene, every shared meal, every moment between takes became imbued with a quiet significance—a final, cherished memory being made. This environment of heightened emotion and familial appreciation suggests that the on-screen chemistry and the emotional stakes of Season 5 will be more authentic and raw than ever before, fueled by the cast’s real-life struggle to let go.

The Crying Game: Who Lost the Most Tears?

The inevitable question surrounding the end of any beloved series is about the final days of shooting: were there tears? For Stranger Things, the answer is a resounding and emphatic yes, with Schnapp confirming the set was awash in genuine emotion. He noted that filming the “final scenes can be emo” and confirmed there was “a lot of crying.”

But when pressed to name the cast member who shed the most tears, Schnapp didn’t hesitate, offering a confession that adds a layer of vulnerability and humanity to his public persona: “Probably yours truly.” The star who embodied the initially quiet and vulnerable Will Byers confessed to being the most openly heartbroken as the final moments of filming approached. This admission is not a sign of weakness, but rather a powerful testament to the show’s meaning. “It just goes to show how special it is to us,” he reflected, confirming the deep, personal investment the actors have in their roles. The tears were not for the scripts being put away, but for the fundamental “parts” of their lives they were being forced to “let go.” The sheer volume of crying indicates that Season 5’s wrap was less like a production finish line and more like a profoundly moving high school graduation, complete with the realization that a significant, defining chapter is over forever.

The Seismic Shift: From SAG Awards to Super-Fame

Beyond the day-to-day emotional toll of concluding the series, Schnapp also reflected on the moment he truly understood the seismic scope of Stranger Things’ success and the subsequent change in his own life. While the initial wave of popularity was exhilarating, the moment of concrete, undeniable validation came during the industry’s most prestigious events.

He pinpointed a specific, unforgettable milestone. “When we won a SAG award, I think was really like, ‘Wow, this is a dream come true,’” he recalled. The Screen Actors Guild Awards, a recognition of excellence by their peers in the acting community, represented a professional affirmation that transcended mere streaming numbers or trending topics. It signaled that their work—a quirky, nostalgic sci-fi horror show starring relative unknowns—was not only a fan favorite but was deeply respected within Hollywood itself. That victory crystallized the realization that their lives were altered permanently, transitioning them from talented children to global stars with a career legacy that few their age could ever claim.

Navigating the Bizarre Reality of Fame

The transition to mega-stardom, however, is a double-edged sword, bringing with it not only professional accolades but also the sometimes bizarre and often intense reality of public interaction. Schnapp, in a moment of levity and astonishment, shared one of his strangest encounters with the fanbase.

While stressing that for the most part, fan interactions are “all very positive” and supportive, he recalled moments with a particular demographic that left him momentarily speechless. “I mean everyone’s pretty supportive, maybe like when the mothers maybe get like start kissing me. I’m like, ‘Oh shit, you’re like twice my age,’” he recounted. This anecdote, while humorous, highlights the peculiar boundary dissolution that often occurs when a celebrity—especially one who was essentially a child in the public consciousness—is encountered in person. It underscores the challenges young actors face in managing personal space and professional boundaries when dealing with fans whose enthusiasm can sometimes override social norms. Despite the awkwardness, Schnapp’s overall message remained one of gratitude and appreciation for the dedication of the Stranger Things community.

The Soundtrack of the 80s: A Final Nod to Nostalgia

Finally, as a nod to the show’s core aesthetic, Schnapp touched upon the iconic 1980s setting and its defining soundtrack. When asked about his favorite song from the era, he initially hesitated, hinting at a potential spoiler related to the final credits, before settling on a crowd-pleasing classic. His choice for his favorite 80s song, and the one he would hypothetically play for the final credits, was Toto’s soaring, geographically ambitious hit, “Africa.” This choice is perfectly in line with the show’s nostalgic heart, providing a final, warm connection to the decade that defined the entire Stranger Things universe.

Conclusion: A Legacy Defined by Emotion

Noah Schnapp’s revelations confirm what many have suspected: the production of Stranger Things Season 5 was an experience steeped in genuine, high-stakes emotion. The narrative surrounding the show’s conclusion is not merely about plot twists and monster battles; it is an intimate story of a group of young people saying goodbye to the most defining chapter of their lives.

The final season, as Schnapp describes it, will be “emotional” for the viewers because it was “emotional” for the cast. From the confession of who cried the most—”yours truly”—to the profound realization of their shared history and familial bond, the stars are leaving nothing on the table. As anticipation builds for the series’ ultimate launch, fans can prepare for a conclusion that is guaranteed to deliver not only a spectacular adventure in the Upside Down, but also a raw, deeply affecting farewell from the family of Hawkins that captured the world’s heart. It will be bittersweet, yes, but for a story this special, perhaps a few tears are the most fitting tribute.