Natalia Dyer’s Filmography: A Look at Her Career Beyond Stranger Things

Natalia Dyer: Beyond Nancy Wheeler and the Upside Down - A Deep Dive into Her Career

Natalia Dyer. The name brings Nancy Wheeler to mind. She is the brave, sometimes awkward older sister from Stranger Things. Yet Natalia is much more than just Nancy. She's a talented actress with a career that began long before Hawkins, Indiana, became famous. Let's explore Natalia Dyer's career and her iconic role.

1. Natalia Dyer: More Than Just an Actress - Getting to Know Her

You know her as Nancy Wheeler. The girl battles Demogorgons and navigates romance with grit and awkwardness. But there's more to Natalia Dyer. Her role as Nancy shot her into the spotlight. It's the part most recognize, and rightfully so. Nancy evolves from a typical teen to an independent investigator facing monsters. Dyer captures this transformation perfectly.

Her work alongside the Stranger Things cast didn't go unnoticed. On January 29, 2017, Dyer and her co-stars won Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the 23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards. That’s impressive, right? Sharing a SAG Award shows the talent of the Stranger Things crew.

How did a Nashville native end up facing creatures from the Upside Down? It’s a humorous story. Dyer's acting journey didn’t start with grand plans. It began with a sprained ankle at sports camp. Dyer’s parents wanted to keep her busy, so they enrolled her in sports camp. But on day one, she injured herself. With sports off the table, she was drawn to theater. Her career started in 2004 when she played “Scout” in “To Kill a Mockingbird” at TPAC. Talk about turning challenges into something great. You can read about her pre-Stranger Things days in this article from The Tennessean.

While fans await new projects, let’s not forget some previous works. Older films like After Darkness (2014) and Mountain Rest (2018) demonstrate her range. Dyer is not just about battling Demogorgons; she embodies diverse characters across various genres. Look for her future projects; she’s clearly in it for the long haul.

Now, about Natalia Dyer’s personality. Many describe her as a "loner" or introverted. Some say she seems withdrawn and has a "chilly, nonchalant personality." But don't confuse introversion with aloofness. It reflects a reserved, thoughtful nature. She might not be the most outwardly expressive, but she is rational. This introspective quality likely aids her approach to acting. It allows Dyer to bring depth to characters like Nancy Wheeler, who is intelligent and observant. You can explore more facts about Natalia in this Cinemablend article.

2. Nancy Wheeler: Decoding Natalia Dyer's Iconic Stranger Things Role

Nancy Wheeler. This name evokes 80s fashion, determined looks, and plenty of supernatural trouble. Natalia Dyer brings this character to life in Stranger Things. Let's dive deeper into Nancy.

In the first season, Nancy was navigating high school drama. How old was she? Pinning down teenage ages can be tricky. But consensus says Nancy is about 15 or 16 years old in Season 1. She's in typical teen territory, dealing with parties, boys, and interdimensional monsters. The show premiered in 2016, and interestingly, Dyer was around 21 when Season 1 debuted. Playing a teen while being in your early twenties? That's Hollywood magic.

Fast forward to Season 4. Nancy traded teenage angst for more mature challenges. Time passes, even in Hawkins, but at a terrifying rate. By Season 4, Nancy is around 17 or 18 years old. Still in high school, still battling monsters, but now with more experience in life and monster-slaying. This aging allows for character growth and exploration of themes as the series moves forward.

Speaking of growth, let's talk money. While we don’t know the cast's salaries, it’s known that they renegotiated after initial seasons gained massive success. For Natalia Dyer, this reportedly meant $150,000 per episode after Season 3 negotiations. That’s not bad for battling Demogorgons and government conspiracies.

Now, let’s discuss Nancy Wheeler’s romantic links, because teen drama often mixes with horror. Her relationship with Steve Harrington has its ups and downs. It starts as a classic high school romance—he's a popular jock, and she's the pretty girl. Things sour when Nancy can’t say "I love you." This leads to a breakup marked by a drunken party remark calling their relationship "fake." Not a solid foundation for love.

Then there's Steve's infamous pool party that takes a twist. Nancy invites her best friend Barb along—a decision that haunts her for seasons. Amid partying, she loses her virginity to Steve after essentially sending Barb home. Teenage choices can be complicated.

But wait! Because there’s always more (it's teen drama). Despite their breakup and pool party mess, Steve and Nancy reconnect. Nancy realizes she loves Steve. It’s that classic "right person, wrong time" story arc. But this reconciliation is brief. Following Barb's funeral, guilt overwhelms Nancy, leading her to end things with Steve for good and to explore a connection with Jonathan Byers.

Enter Jonathan Byers, the brooding outsider. Nancy and Jonathan bond over investigating Barb and Will's disappearances. They become an unlikely duo and discover the terrifying Upside Down, sparking a deep connection between them. Yes, things turn romantic too; they "sleep together" in the series, marking a shift in their relationship. However, it occurs while Nancy is still involved with Steve—landing them squarely in "cheating" territory for some viewers. Teenage love triangles are messy.

Even in later seasons,

Nancy and Jonathan's romance isn't easy. Stranger Things Season 4 introduces long-distance issues. Nancy is in Indiana. Jonathan is in California. The distance can strain a relationship. Nancy spends more time with her ex, Steve. Steve is always around, complicating things.

Barb Holland is Nancy’s best friend. She plays a key role in the story. Their friendship is close. However, there is no romantic love from Barb towards Nancy. Their bond is platonic. It shows a strong female friendship during high school chaos. Barb is supportive and loyal, but occasionally disapproves of Nancy’s choices. This dynamic adds depth to their friendship.

Now, let’s discuss Nancy's hair. Her iconic 80s hairstyle is memorable. The hair team uses wigs to achieve that look. The goal was to create "that fluffy '80s perm." Making the perfect wig is tricky. Wigs get "burned to different levels" for that crispness. Finally, they are brushed out for volume. Nancy's hair is a crafted masterpiece of 80s style.

Back to the Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan love triangle. Why did Nancy leave Steve? Their relationship had issues. Steve's difficulty getting Nancy to say "I love you" contributed to their breakup. It was not solely about Jonathan; there were pre-existing cracks in their foundation.

The crucial question remains: did Nancy cheat on Steve? Yes, technically, she did. Nancy had feelings for Jonathan while still with Steve, emotionally if not officially. The timeline in teen dramas can be confusing, but the emotions were there. This sparks debates on morality in teen relationships.

Next, let’s explore Nancy's line: "I waited." In Stranger Things, Nancy refers to Jonathan when she says this. She hoped he would want a relationship. After a month of no progress from Jonathan, Nancy feels disappointed and decides to stay with Steve. This shows Nancy's vulnerability and desire for a deeper connection.

3. Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton: Real-Life Romance

Forget on-screen romances for now. The real love story of Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton captivates fans even more. They are the favorite couple from Stranger Things. Their chemistry as Nancy and Jonathan spills into real life.

Are Jonathan and Nancy still an item in real life? No, Jonathan and Nancy don’t date in real life, because they are fictional characters. But Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton are dating in real life! They have been since Season 1 of Stranger Things.

Yes, Natalia and Charlie are still together! As of 2025, they’re going strong despite challenges in celebrity relationships. They have remained a couple since the early days of Stranger Things. Though they seek privacy, their bond remains strong.

Natalia and Charlie attend events together publicly. They were seen at the Brooklyn Artists Ball in April 2023 and again in NYC in December 2023. These sightings assure fans their relationship is still solid. Natalia shared about her relationship with Charlie in a May 2022 interview with Cosmopolitan U.K.

As of February 2025, Stranger Things' Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton had an outing at London Fashion Week. This was their first public appearance since 2023. Their relationship status as a Hollywood couple is secure.

Their romance blossomed on set while filming Stranger Things. They met during the first season. Their characters faced a love triangle with Steve on-screen. But off-camera, they developed a connection. After two years of working together, romance rumors began swirling.

4. Charlie Heaton: Beyond Jonathan Byers

We must highlight Charlie Heaton when discussing Natalia Dyer. Heaton portrays Jonathan Byers on-screen but is much more than just that character. He is a talented actor and musician with a broad range of work.

Charlie is known for playing Jonathan in Stranger Things. Jonathan's quiet intensity resonates with audiences worldwide. But Heaton's work goes beyond the Upside Down. He has acted in many films like As You Are, Marrowbone, and others, showing his varied talent.

Charlie Heaton is British. He was born Charlie Ross Heaton on February 6, 1994. His background adds richness to his portrayal of Jonathan Byers. He convincingly plays an American character while showcasing his versatility.

To provide context, Charlie Heaton is currently 30 as of February 2024. When Season 1 premiered, he played a character around 16 years old at about 22 himself. Both he and Dyer portrayed younger characters effectively.

Charlie's casting in a stage play sparked controversy in 2019 when he was cast as Joseph Merrick ('The Elephant Man'). Critics raised concerns since he doesn't have a disability. This decision caused a debate about representation in acting roles.

5. I Believe in Unicorns: Natalia Dyer's Indie Film Journey

Let's explore another aspect of Natalia Dyer's acting career—her role in the indie film I Believe in Unicorns. This film, made in 2014, showcases her abilities beyond mainstream success.

Natalia Dyer was quite young during the filming of I Believe in Unicorns.

She was 16 years old during filming. By the film's premiere, she was 19. This shows the film's production timeline. Dyer had already worked on significant projects. She gained international fame later, thanks to Stranger Things.

I Believe in Unicorns is not just a standard teen movie. It depicts a young woman escaping through romance. The film is personal. It focuses on Davina, played by Dyer. Its strength is in showing the loss of innocence during her journey into womanhood. She seeks independence while on a road trip with her boyfriend.

The story centers on Davina. She escapes into a fantasy with unicorns to cope. Her home life is difficult. The unicorns symbolize individuality, purity, and belief in the extraordinary. They express Davina's yearning for beauty and magic amid harsh realities.

The film takes a dark turn in the "barn scene." Davina and her boyfriend, Sterling, visit a barn. Davina wants to go home, feeling uneasy about their trip. Sterling has a mental breakdown, showing aggressive behavior. Davina feels guilt and tries to comfort him. This leads to a sexual encounter. When Davina withdraws consent, Sterling rapes her. This scene starkly depicts sexual assault and explores dark aspects of human relationships.

I Believe in Unicorns is not for children. Ironically, a tagline states, "'Keeping children in their seats takes magic and wonder, something I Believe in Unicorns has in abundance." This clearly highlights the film's mature content that differs from children's entertainment.

Early in the film, Davina has a picnic for her 16th birthday with her friend, Cassidy. Cassidy gives her a camera. This camera symbolizes Davina's growing independence. It represents her desire to control her narrative despite dark life changes. I Believe in Unicorns showcases Natalia Dyer's versatility, moving away from the monsters of Stranger Things. You can discover more about Natalia Dyer on her IMDb.

6. Stranger Things Character Dynamics and Plot Tidbits - A Deeper Dive

Stranger Things is more than just monsters and nostalgia. It thrives on character relationships. Let's explore some key dynamics and plot points that add depth to the series.

Eleven (El) and Mike Wheeler are the central couple in Stranger Things. From the moment Eleven enters Mike's basement, their connection is clear. Their relationship evolves from childhood friendship to romance within extraordinary settings.

Their relationship faces challenges. Do Mike and Eleven split? Yes, but only temporarily in Stranger Things Season 3. Miscommunication, influenced by Hopper's interference, leads to misunderstandings. Mike avoids El under Hopper's orders, making her feel neglected. They do reconcile by season's end, reaffirming their love, but challenges remain for future seasons.

Interestingly, a fan theory suggests Will might have romantic feelings for Mike in Season 5 of Stranger Things. Actor Noah Schnapp hints that Will, who is gay, has a crush on Mike. This adds complexity to the dynamics between Mike, Eleven, and Will.

We've discussed Steve's complicated relationship with Nancy. His romantic journey continues. After escaping a secret lab in Season 3, Steve hints to Robin that he likes her. He confesses he has liked her for a while, fearing it would damage his "popular jock" image. This reveals vulnerability and sets the stage for his evolving friendship with Robin.

Going further back, Tommy’s feelings for Steve add complexity to social dynamics. Actor Chester Rushing mentioned that Tommy had unrequited romantic feelings for Steve. This could explain Tommy's anger towards Steve, enriching both characters' relationships within Hawkins.

Noah Schnapp reveals that Will loves Mike Wheeler. This confirms Will's LGBTQ+ identity and adds depth to his character. His struggles with feelings for Mike have been an undercurrent in the series, promising exploration in future seasons.

Dustin Henderson has a girlfriend! His girlfriend is Suzie Bingham, a Mormon girl from summer camp. Their long-distance relationship brings comedic relief and heartwarming moments. They even sing duets over ham radios.

Interestingly, Dustin also has a childhood crush on Nancy. This innocent crush highlights Dustin's admiration for the older Nancy, adding lightheartedness to his character.

Switching gears, Eleven’s shaved head in Season 4 isn't Millie Bobby Brown shaving again. The buzz cut is a "painstakingly designed wig" by the hairstylist Sarah Hindsgaul. It fits over Brown's long hair, showcasing the artistry of the hair department.

About tattoos, does Millie Bobby Brown have an "011" tattoo? Yes, Millie Bobby Brown has an "011" tattoo on her wrist. It's a real, permanent reminder of her character Eleven from