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Why Noah Schnapp missed Finn Wolfhard's 'SNL' debut
19 Jan 2026

Noah Schnapp, who played Will Byers in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, was absent from his co-star Finn Wolfhard's Saturday Night Live (SNL) episode on January 17. The absence was due to his attendance at Milan Fashion Week in Italy.

Other Stranger Things main cast members like Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo were present for Wolfhard's SNL debut, and even featured in skits.

Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, and Joe Keery were present, too
Show highlights

During his opening monologue, Wolfhard acknowledged the changes that come with aging out of "child actor" territory.

His co-stars McLaughlin and Matarazzo made a surprise appearance to join him on stage.

What's more, Wolfhard was also supported by his other Stranger Things castmates, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, and Joe Keery, who attended the afterparty after the live episode.

'SNL' sketch referencing Schnapp's character drew mixed reactions
Fan response

A Stranger Things-themed parody on SNL, which featured Wolfhard, McLaughlin, and Matarazzo, received mixed reactions online.

One line explaining Schnapp's absence because "his coming out scene is still going on" drew criticism for being insensitive.

McLaughlin describing Lucas's s*x life with Max has invited flak, too. "Max & I started off hot & heavy...but then a couple years in, she just lies there like she's back in that coma."

However, some fans defended SNL's approach as typical satire.