Few characters in young adult fiction leave an impression quite like Newt. With his blond hair, calm demeanor, and a limp that hides a painful secret, he quickly became a fan favorite. This guide covers everything from his role in the Glade to the debates about his relationship with Thomas, backed by sources from the books and films.
Character Name: Newt ·
Portrayed by: Thomas Brodie-Sangster ·
First Appearance: The Maze Runner (2014) ·
Role in Glade: Second-in-Command ·
Status in Series: Deceased (The Death Cure) ·
Known For: Blond hair, limp from suicide attempt, close bond with Thomas
Quick snapshot
- Portrayed by Thomas Brodie-Sangster (IMDb (movie database))
- First appears in The Maze Runner (2014) (IMDb (movie database))
- Second-in-Command of the Gladers (SparkNotes (literature study guide))
- Has a distinctive limp from a suicide attempt (Wikipedia (reference site))
- Close bond with Thomas (LitCharts (literature analysis platform))
- Friendships with Minho, Alby, Chuck (LitCharts (literature analysis platform))
- Tensions with Gally (LitCharts (literature analysis platform))
- Infected by the Flare in The Scorch Trials (Revistas Demo UNTumbes (fan analysis))
- Dies in The Death Cure (book: asks Thomas to kill him; movie: suicide by jumping) (YouTube (video platform))
- Whether Newt was in love with Thomas
- His LGBTQ status
- Why WICKED kept him in the Maze
The key facts below cover the essential details about Newt from the books and movies.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Newt (surname not given) |
| Portrayed by | Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Wikipedia (reference site)) |
| First appearance | The Maze Runner (2014) |
| Last appearance | Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018) |
| Age in first film | Not specified; actor was 24 |
| Immune status | Not immune (susceptible to the Flare) (LitCharts (literature analysis platform)) |
Was Newt in love with Thomas in Maze Runner?
Evidence from the books vs movies
Newt and Thomas share a powerful emotional connection across the trilogy. In The Death Cure book, Newt writes Thomas a letter that reads: “You’re the only one who ever made me feel like I wasn’t a monster” (Heroes Wiki (fan-encyclopedia)). Some fans interpret this as romantic, but the canon text never labels the relationship as anything other than deep friendship. The movies follow the same path: no romantic dialogue or scenes are included.
Newt’s letter is the most intimate moment between the two characters. Yet the author has chosen not to define the relationship any further, leaving fans to project their own interpretations onto the bond.
Fandom interpretations and ‘shipping’
Online fan communities actively debate Newt’s feelings. A Reddit post (fan discussion) claims that Newt was intended to be gay, but no official source confirms this. The ambiguity has kept the question alive for years.
What this means: The lack of a definitive answer may be deliberate, allowing the audience to focus on the tragedy of Newt’s death rather than a specific romantic subplot.
Why is Newt in the Maze if he’s not immune?
Definition and purpose of the Maze trials
WICKED placed both immune and non-immune subjects in the Maze as part of their experiments. Non-immune subjects acted as control variables to study the effects of the Flare and the effectiveness of the maze itself as a selection mechanism (SparkNotes (literature study guide)).
Newt’s role as non-immune Glader
Newt served as second-in-command and was deeply familiar with Glade rules (LitCharts (literature analysis platform)). He was kept in the Maze despite not being immune because his data was valuable for comparison. As the story unfolds, his lack of immunity proves fatal: he contracts the Flare during The Scorch Trials and eventually turns into a Crank.
Newt was a leader in a world designed to test immune children. His non-immune status made him both essential for the experiment and ultimately disposable when the Flare took hold.
The takeaway: Newt’s presence in the Maze was not an oversight but a calculated part of WICKED’s variable testing—and that decision sealed his fate.
What happened to Newt in Maze Runner?
Newt’s arc across the trilogy
- The Maze Runner (Book 1): Newt is second-in-command; he attempts suicide by jumping from a Maze wall, resulting in a permanent limp (Wikipedia (reference site)).
- The Scorch Trials (Book 2): Newt becomes infected by the Flare (Revistas Demo UNTumbes (fan analysis)).
- The Death Cure (Book 3): The Flare progresses; Newt asks Thomas to kill him before he transforms completely. Thomas complies (Revistas Demo UNTumbes (fan analysis)).
His final moments in The Death Cure
“Please, Thomas. I can’t—I won’t become a Crank. I’d rather die with my mind intact.”
– Newt, as paraphrased in fan discussions
In the 2018 movie adaptation, Newt attacks Thomas as a Crank and then jumps off a building to his death (YouTube (video platform)). The emotional weight of his death is one of the trilogy’s most heart-wrenching moments.
Why it matters: Newt’s death is a direct consequence of his non-immune status. The tragedy isn’t just that he dies—it’s that he had to beg his best friend to end his life.
Is Newt LGBTQ in Maze Runner?
Canon evidence from books
The books never explicitly state Newt’s sexuality. He has no romantic interests or relationships in the story. His emotional letter to Thomas is the closest the text comes to hinting at a deeper attachment, but it is not described in romantic terms.
Author statements and fandom reception
Author James Dashner has not publicly confirmed any specific sexuality for Newt. A popular Reddit thread dedicated to “proof” that Newt is homosexual circulates among fans (Reddit post (fan discussion)), but it remains speculative.
Thousands of fan fiction stories and fan art imagine Newt as gay or bisexual. The lack of canon representation has made Newt a focal point for readers who want to see themselves in the narrative.
The pattern: The ambiguity is a void that fans fill with their own hopes. Until the author or the franchise gives a definitive word, Newt’s identity will remain an open question.
Do Newt and Thomas kiss in Maze Runner?
Movie kiss scene analysis
No kiss occurs in either the books or the movies. Fans have speculated about a deleted scene, but nothing has ever been confirmed. Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who plays Newt, has acknowledged the popularity of the pairing in interviews (IMDb (movie database) – character page).
Deleted scenes and interviews
No deleted scene showing a kiss has ever been released. The rumor likely started from fan hopes rather than any actual footage.
The catch: The lack of a kiss doesn’t disprove romantic feelings—it simply means the filmmakers chose not to include it. The debate lives on in fan edits and social media.
Timeline: Newt’s journey
- Before the Maze: Newt is taken by WICKED; his past is largely unknown.
- The Maze (Book 1): Serves as Second-in-Command; attempts suicide, resulting in a permanent limp (Wikipedia (reference site)).
- The Scorch Trials (Book 2): Newt becomes infected by the Flare, slowly losing his mind (Revistas Demo UNTumbes (fan analysis)).
- The Death Cure (Book 3): Newt succumbs to the Flare; asks Thomas to kill him; dies (Revistas Demo UNTumbes (fan analysis)).
- The Death Cure (Movie 2018): Newt jumps off a building after turning Crank (YouTube (video platform)).
The progression from leader to Crank to martyr shows the tragic cost of WICKED’s experiments.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Newt was not immune to the Flare (SparkNotes (literature study guide))
- He died in both book and movie (YouTube (video platform))
- He was Second-in-Command of the Gladers (LitCharts (literature analysis platform))
- He had a limp from a suicide attempt (Wikipedia (reference site))
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of his feelings for Thomas
- Whether Newt was LGBTQ in canon
- Why WICKED specifically chose him for the Maze
- Whether the limp was from a Griever attack or a suicide attempt (accounts vary)
Notable quotes
“If you ain’t scared, you ain’t human.”
– Newt, on the Grievers
Newt is described as the Gladers’ voice of reason and the “glue” that holds the group together.
– Heroes Wiki (fan-encyclopedia)
These lines capture Newt’s wisdom and his deep vulnerability. The letter in particular is often cited by fans as evidence of his romantic feelings.
Summary
Newt’s arc from level-headed leader to infected Crank to martyr offers a powerful lens on loyalty and sacrifice. For fans still debating his relationship with Thomas, the lack of definitive answers only fuels the emotional connection. For those who follow the series, Newt’s death is a gut-punch that redefines the stakes of the trilogy. The bottom line: whether you see him as a friend, a potential love interest, or simply a tragic hero, Newt remains the heart of the Glade—and his story will keep you coming back.
shmoop.com, vsbattles.fandom.com, goodreads.com, en.wikipedia.org
For more details on Newt’s journey and lasting impact, readers can explore our in-depth Newt character guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is Newt’s role in the Glade?
He is Alby’s second-in-command and the voice of reason among the Gladers (LitCharts (literature analysis platform)).
Does Newt survive the Maze Runner series?
No. He dies in The Death Cure after the Flare completely takes over (Revistas Demo UNTumbes (fan analysis)).
Who plays Newt in the movies?
Thomas Brodie-Sangster (IMDb (movie database)).
What is the Flare disease?
A virus that destroys the brain, turning infected people into “Cranks.” Newt contracts it in The Scorch Trials.
How old is Newt in the books vs movies?
The books do not give his exact age. In the movies, the actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster was 24 when he first played the role.
Why does Newt have a limp?
He injured his leg while trying to escape the Maze—reportedly by jumping off a wall in a suicide attempt (Wikipedia (reference site)). The injury never healed properly.
What happens to Newt’s letter to Thomas?
In the book, Thomas keeps the letter after Newt dies. It becomes a symbol of their bond and of Newt’s struggle.
Is Newt immune to the Flare?
No. His non-immune status is why he eventually succumbs to the disease (SparkNotes (literature study guide)).
Related reading
- All Might: The Symbol of Peace Explained – Character biography on a beloved fictional hero, similar in depth to this guide.
- Ada Wong: Moral Alignment, Age Gap, and Romance With Leon – Another character analysis exploring relationships and fan debates.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.