India, Nov. 18 -- N oah Schnapp has spent nearly a decade growing up on the sets of Stranger Things, as the Netflix blockbuster became a global cultural phenomenon. With the fifth and final season set to release this month, the actor says he feels emotional about leaving behind the world of Hawkins, but most grateful for the lifelong friendship he gained with co-star Millie Bobby Brown. Drawing parallels between their real-life bond and the relationship between their characters, Will and Eleven, Noah says, "Their loyalty to each other is commendable. On the show, we got to play siblings, and now we say we're triplets. I would consider her an on-screen and off-screen sibling at this point." He adds that Millie has been his biggest grounding force: "My friendship with Millie is different. When other people give me advice, I wonder what their ulterior motive is. But when Millie says something, I'm like, 'Oh shit, there's nothing but the truth'. She helps me keep my spark. It's easy to get jaded in this industry, but she always brings me back to that wide-eyed kid within." Having been in the spotlight since childhood, Noah says navigating public scrutiny hasn't been easy, especially as conversations about his sexuality began long before he came out. "It was definitely challenging," he says, adding, "Instead of growing up in a small town where only your friends make fun of you, it's the whole world watching. There's a lot of pressure and an expectation to know it all and be an adult right away." What made it bearable, he says, was having peers going through the same experience. "It was tough, but it was also positive to have that support system. While some things tore down my confidence, my co-stars built it back up. I'm thankful for the journey."...