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Yet another Stranger Things star announces West End debut in play exploring "globally relevant themes"

Noah Schnapp is teaming up with Riverside Studios for a dark comedy.

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers in Stranger Things season 5

Netflix

Published: Thursday, 13 August 2026 at 11:29 am

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First Sadie Sink, then Gaten Matarazzo and now Noah Schnapp – the West End is clearly a pull for the Stranger Things crew.

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Schnapp, who played Will Byers in all five seasons of the hit Netflix series, is set to star in the world premiere of Affluenza, written by playwright and director Andy Sandberg (not to be confused with the Brooklyn 99 star).

Following the announcement Schnapp said: "‘I am so excited to make my stage debut in London with ‘Affluenza.’ I started talking with Andy Sandberg a few months ago about finding the right opportunity to work together, and it’s thrilling to now be bringing this play to life in London.

"I wanted to be very intentional about what I took on next, and as I spend more time with this excellent script, I feel so connected to the characters. Without giving away too much, I get to play two very different roles, and it’s a story that’s really going to leave audiences talking and thinking."

The play follows the aftermath of a drunk driving incident, looking at how wealth and privilege comes into contact with the American justice system.

Affluenza poster with Noah Schnapp

Affluenza. Riverside Studios

As the synopsis reads: "Privilege is inherited. So are the consequences. When a teen’s drunken car ride ends in devastation, the verdict comes down to one question – is it possible to be too affluent to know the difference between right and wrong? Inspired by true events surrounding a shocking legal defence, Affluenza explores the ripple effects of power and privilege.

"Set against the ultra-wealthy social haven of the Hamptons, Affluenza raises thought-provoking questions about moral accountability, family legacy, and the American justice system. Do any of us truly understand the cost and generational impact of privilege and opulence?"

The show is coming to London's Riverside Studios from 26 September to 21 November and is the first of five plays launching the Mainstage Season 26/27. Sandberg is the Season's Artistic Director and will be showing five original plays, largely set in contemporary America and exploring "globally relevant themes".

Following Affluenza, Sacrilegious, by Tom Schulman, writer of Dead Poets Society and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, will run from 5 December 2026 to 23 January 2026, and Expecting, by Scott Elmegreen & Drew Fornarola, runs from 30 January to 27 March 2027. The last two plays are yet to be announced.

Schnapp will be starring on stage at the same time as his Stranger Things co-star Gaten Matarazzo, who makes his debut as Mark in the West End revival of Rent this September.

Tickets for Affluenza are on sale now at TodayTix and Rent tickets are available at LOVETheatre.

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For more recommendations check out the Going Out section or listen to our new podcast In the Interval. Plus, our Jesus Christ Superstar review and Beetlejuice review. We also have events like the best kids theatre shows and best West End shows.

Authors

Olivia Garrett

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