Will Byers’ ‘coming of age’ story will be a big focus in Stranger Things season 5

Will Byers is arguably one of the most important characters in Stranger Things next to Eleven. But he’s mostly been sidelined for the past few seasons. Thankfully, that’s expected to change in Stranger Things season 5, the final season of the series.

Will was the focal point of the show’s first season after he vanished and set the show’s entire plot into motion. Even in season 2, Will was pretty important as a survivor of the Upside Down who retained a connection to the other dimension and, by extension, the Mind Flayer.

But in seasons 3 and 4, Will’s storyline was dwarfed by Eleven and many of his friends, much to the annoyance of Will’s fans. However, in a recent chat with Collider, Matt Duffer said that would be different in the show’s fifth and final season.

"“Will’s going to be a big part and focus, is really all I can say of Season 5, in his journey. We’re starting to see his coming of age, really. Which has been challenging for a number of reasons, some of which are supernatural. But you’re starting to see him come into his own.”"

The Duffers say that Stranger Things season 5 will bring a lot of full-circle moments

Expect a lot of elements from the show’s first season to return in the final season, which will bring many characters’ arcs full circle, including Jonathan, Nancy and Steve’s. I’m hoping we’ll get to see these characters get closure and, I hope, a happy ending for most of them.

One thing I’m really hoping the show doesn’t do is kill off Eleven in some big sacrifice, as I feel like that would be a disservice to the show and a cheap way to end the show. It’s just too cliché and depressing.

But regarding the “full-circle” nature of the last season, we know that it’ll focus on just the singular location of Hawkins and reunite many of the pairings and characters from season 1. Here’s what Ross had to say to Collider.

"“[It’s] setting up us coming full circle back to Season 1. I think you’ll see that with a couple of the character arcs, not just with Will. But also with Steve and Nancy, and her relationship with Jonathan where things are not fully resolved. The characters have maybe made steps, like in the case of Will, but that journey isn’t over yet. All of that is going to play a huge role as we try to wrap this thing up next season.”"

Watch Stranger Things now on Netflix.