For the final series of Stranger Things, Miles Marthaller plays Young Will (Noah Schnapp), and over last summer, he filmed a number of projects including The NightBeast for AmazonMGM (where he worked alongside Tatiana Maslany as his on-screen mother), the upcoming Netflix film Remarkably Bright Creatures, an episode of Fire Country, and most recently, he has filmed for a brand-new Netflix series. In the 2024 Hallmark film Three Wiser Men and a Boy, Miles played the supporting lead role of Thomas, with the film being a sequel to the 2022 film Three Wiser Men and a Baby, and he worked alongside his on-screen father Andrew Walker as Luke and uncles Tyler Hynes as Taylor and Paul Campbell as Stephan. Miles reprised his role of Thomas for last year’s film Three Wisest Men, and for his portrayal of the character, he won Best Performance in a TV Movie: Youth Artist at the 2025 Young Artist Awards. Amongst Miles’s further roles, he plays Kid Frank Jr. in The Chicken Sisters and Noah in feature film Round and Round, both for Hallmark, and he played Young Steve in an episode of Series 7 of The Good Doctor. Chatting with us, Miles told us about filming as Young Will (Noah Schnapp) for the final series of Stranger Things, his supporting lead role of Thomas in the Hallmark films Three Wiser Men and a Boy and Three Wisest Men and winning Best Performance in a TV Movie: Youth Artist at the 2025 Young Artist Awards for his portrayal of Thomas.

In the final series of Stranger Things, you can be seen playing Young Will (Noah Schnapp); what was it like joining the hugely-popular Netflix series and how did you feel when it was released in November?

I didn’t know the show at all before the audition, but after making the tape, my parents let me watch some of the episodes of the first season. That got me really excited, and then when I learned I was cast, it seemed like a dream. I still didn’t understand how big the show was until I got to Atlanta – everything was enormous: the studio lot, the sound stages, the costume collection, everything. But everyone was still really welcoming and really friendly, just like on the smaller productions I had done. Before Season 5 was released, I was caught up on the series and I loved all the characters, especially Will. After Volume 1 aired, people I knew kept coming up to me and saying, “Great job” and “I love the show and what you did on the show”. It was really fun to see all the excitement. The Episode 4 ending was a huge moment for Will (and Noah!), and it was an honour to get to play a small part of that.

How was it getting into character as Young Will and playing the younger version of Noah Schnapp’s role?

My self-tape audition was actually taken from a scene from Season 1 (with Will and Joyce in Castle Byers), so I kind of knew what Will was like just from that. Seeing more episodes, I also knew about the amazing friendship between Will and Mike, so it was really fun to recreate those important moments from the past with Max (Rackenberg, who plays Young Mike). Then, of course, I got to meet Noah on set a couple of times. It was lucky timing that he was filming on the same day in the same location. He was very kind, funny and just normal. He didn’t give me any acting notes or anything like that, but his attitude made me feel like it’s OK to be yourself and have fun (like having a push-ups contest between takes!), and I think that feeling comes through in the scenes.

Do you remember how you felt when you found out you booked the supporting lead role of Thomas in the 2024 Hallmark film Three Wiser Men and a Boy – the sequel to 2022’s Three Wise Men and a Baby?

I did a big cheer and jumped up and down when I found out. That was my first really big role. I had done a few commercials and a few small parts before that, but nothing that big. There were so many scenes for Thomas and more lines than I had ever said before. They took a big chance on me, and I’m so happy they did. I will always be thankful for being chosen.

What was it like meeting your on-screen father Andrew Walker (Luke) and uncles Tyler Hynes (Taylor) and Paul Campbell (Stephan) for the first time and what are they like to film with?

I was a little nervous the first time I met them at the table read, but within one day of shooting, they felt like good friends. And now, after two movies together, they feel like family! They are all so good at what they do and such amazing role models. Andrew is really kind and patient, and he was really easy to work with. He made me feel comfortable in every scene, and I looked up to him a lot. Paul is so genuine and warm. No matter how busy he was, he always took time to play, and he asks questions about your life, and shows that he cares. He’s also so silly, fun, and creative – it’s hard not to laugh when he’s doing his lines. And then, of course, there’s Tyler! He’s the fun uncle for Thomas on screen, and he’s pretty much the same for me in real life! He made our scenes together so fun and easy. He showed me that it’s not only about the lines – all the natural things are important too. I think I learned a lot from watching Tyler.

What is Thomas like to play and what do you enjoy most about the character?

Thomas felt very real and believable to me, so it was pretty easy to get into his character. The writing was so good in all three of the movies. Sometimes kid roles ask you to do or say things that you don’t think you would ever actually do or say, but this wasn’t like that. I felt like I would probably act and talk the same way Thomas does. My favourite part about him is that he gets to have different relationships with all of the big Brenners (his dad and two uncles) and he kind of takes on little pieces of all of their personalities. Thomas is also a huge fan of his Gigi (grandma), played by Margaret Colin. She is the glue that keeps the whole family together in the story, and she’s awesome in real life.

How would you describe Thomas and how was it returning to the role for last year’s film Three Wisest Men?

Thomas was quite a bit different in the last film, so that was cool to try to play him in another way. He’s still only seven, so he gets to stay childish and have a lot of fun, playing in forts and laughing with the big guys. But it wasn’t all the same kinds of things, like singing, dancing, and dressing up in candy cane outfits. He has big feelings now about the changes in his family because his parents are going to have two new babies. He gets angry and he acts out because he doesn’t know what else to do. It was kind of fun to be allowed to be a little bit naughty.

What is it like being part of a Hallmark Christmas film/franchise, and did you have any favourite scenes in either film to work on?

Hallmark Channel films a lot in and around Vancouver. I’ve been in a few other shows, and my big sister, Remy, has been in a lot. The company is so good to us – they’re great to work for, and the fans are wonderful. We still get messages every day from fans around the world that say, “I loved this part when you…” or “It made me laugh or cry when you…”. They’re always kind and complimentary. The scenes we get the most comments about are probably the two that were my favourite to film: the heart-to-heart fort scene with Tyler in Three Wiser Men and a Boy, and the bedtime scene with all the guys in Three Wisest Men. Those scenes came so naturally and were so memorable to film.

What are some of your stand-out memories from your time on set of Three Wiser Men and a Boy and Three Wisest Men and being in the cast?

Definitely during the first film, I kept the guys on their toes all the time. They played with me constantly, joked with me, picked me up, and gave me airplane rides. While filming the second movie, there were a lot of video game competitions and guitar singalongs.

How was it winning the Best Performance in a TV Movie: Youth Artist award at the 2025 Young Artist Awards for your portrayal of Thomas?

I was so nervous for that one, but I really wanted to win. My sister had won at the same awards ceremony the year before, so I wanted to match her with my own. I also wanted to win it for the show and its fans. Director Terry Ingram had made something that was really special, so I wanted to make everyone proud. When they called my name, I was crossing my fingers and holding my breath, but I let out a whispered, “YES!”.

Previously for Hallmark, you have played Kid Frank Jr. in the series The Chicken Sisters and Noah in the film Round and Round, can you tell us about your experience on both projects?

Those shows were both smaller roles, but still so memorable, even though I was only four years old when I filmed Round and Round. Rick Hoffman (who plays my grandpa) was so kind, and Vic Michaelis (who plays my aunt Rachel) was so goofy and fun. I remember being so excited to meet and work with everyone that I actually invited the whole cast and crew to my fifth birthday (without asking my mom’s permission first). The Chicken Sisters was so much fun too. My screen mom, Leah Hanas, and dad, Liam Boland, were so awesome. We all had a good time together.

What was it like filming for an episode of The Good Doctor – Series 7 as Young Steve?

This was a fun one to film. It was the first time I had a brother on set, and I got to joke around with Kashton Brostl (who plays Young Shaun). I was kind of disappointed to find out that the ice cream we would be eating in the scene was actually mashed potatoes! But don’t worry – we had real ice cream later, after we wrapped. This shoot was also extra special because my uncle, Alex Law, took me to set as my chaperone.

How did you originally get into acting?

My dad was a theatre kid in school and then got a commercial agent when he was in college. Much, much later, after he and my mom had kids, he reached out to the same agent, Natasha Trisko, who was now at her own agency, Trisko Talent, and she took on the whole family. We’ve all been in commercials, film and TV projects – usually alone, but sometimes together.

What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?

My favourite TV show right now is obviously Stranger Things, but I also really like Captain Tsubasa (anime) and Alvin and the Chipmunks. My parents have a list of 1980s movies that they want us to see as well. The ones I like most are The NeverEnding Story, Lucas, Free Willy, and The Little Rascals.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Soccer is always my first choice – I play every day at school. At home, I play on our foosball table, practice piano, take care of my guinea pigs, bake with my mom, and sometimes play video games like Mario Kart, Minecraft, and Animal Crossing. I also really like to draw, read Magic Tree House books, and make things out of cardboard, paper, and tape.

What are you hoping this year brings for you, and do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about?

I filmed a pilot for AmazonMGM last year called The NightBeast working with Tatiana Maslany as my on-screen mom and I hope I can book some more shows, especially if I get to travel somewhere new to film. I also filmed a couple of things last year that I’m excited to see when they come out this year. I had a small part in the upcoming Netflix film Remarkably Bright Creatures, a day-player role in an episode of the current season of Fire Country, and I will be filming one day next week on a brand-new Netflix series. In the meantime, I hope I can join another local soccer team and have fun playing in games, and I hope my dad and I can go camping and fishing in the summer.

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