You probably know her as the girl who turned a monster-hunting obsession into a full-blown investigative career. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else holding that shotgun or chasing down leads in Hawkins. But the story of the Nancy Wheeler actress, Natalia Dyer, is way more interesting than just a lucky break on a Netflix hit.
Dyer almost didn't get the role.
She actually auditioned twice. After the first one, she was convinced she’d totally bombed it. Imagine that. One of the most iconic characters of the 2010s almost belonged to someone else because a 20-year-old from Nashville thought she didn't nail the vibe.
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The Audition That Almost Failed
Dyer has been pretty open about her early days. Back in 2015, she was just another student at NYU's Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She was basically living a double life. By day, she was studying self-directed courses; by night, she was trying to break into an industry that is notoriously picky.
When the script for Stranger Things (then called Montauk) came across her desk, she felt a connection to Nancy. But the nerves were real. She told Cosmopolitan that she walked out of that first room feeling like she’d messed up. Luckily, the Duffer Brothers saw something. They saw that specific mix of suburban "good girl" and secret badass that eventually defined the character.
Why Natalia Dyer Insisted on Nancy's Season 5 Ending
Fast forward to 2026. The series has officially wrapped. If you’ve seen the finale, you know Nancy’s ending was a bit of a curveball. She didn't just follow a guy to college or settle for the "safe" path.
That was Dyer's doing.
She was actually very adamant with the Duffer Brothers about one specific thing: Nancy could not go back to being a normal student. After fighting the Mind Flayer and literal interdimensional demons, writing term papers at Emerson College felt... fake. Dyer pushed for Nancy to drop out and head straight into the workforce at the Boston Herald.
"I just do not think Nancy could go back to school," she said in a recent interview. "I just cannot see her in school."
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It makes sense. The character had outgrown the classroom. She’d outgrown the love triangle, too. By the end of the show, Nancy isn't defined by Steve or Jonathan. She’s defined by her own grit. Dyer’s insistence on that independence is what made the series finale feel so earned for long-time fans.
Life After Hawkins: What’s Next for the Nancy Wheeler Actress?
So, what do you do after being part of a global phenomenon for a decade? If you’re Natalia Dyer, you go indie.
She’s never been one for the massive superhero blockbusters—at least not yet. While her co-stars like Millie Bobby Brown or Finn Wolfhard are diving into huge franchises, Dyer has stayed true to her roots in smaller, more intimate films.
- Yes, God, Yes (2019): This was her big breakout outside of the show. She played a Catholic school girl exploring her sexuality. It’s funny, awkward, and deeply human.
- Chestnut (2023): A much more "adult" role where she plays a woman drifting through relationships in her twenties.
- Based on a True Story: She joined this Peacock thriller-comedy alongside Kaley Cuoco, proving she’s got the range for dark humor too.
She’s now 31. She’s spent her entire 20s in the Upside Down. Lately, she’s been spotted hanging out in the East Village, rocking a blonde hair transformation that makes her look worlds away from Nancy Wheeler. She’s taking a breather. She’s traveling. Honestly, she’s earned it.
The Charlie Heaton Connection
You can't talk about the Nancy Wheeler actress without mentioning her real-life relationship. It’s one of those rare Hollywood stories that actually lasted. She and Charlie Heaton (who plays Jonathan Byers) have been together since 2016.
They’re famously private. You won't find them posting constant "couple goals" photos on Instagram. Instead, you'll see them at a Burberry fashion show or grabbing coffee in New York. They managed to survive the "Stranger Things" spotlight without the drama that usually follows child stars. That's a feat in itself.
How to Follow Her Career Now
If you want to keep up with what Dyer is doing next, skip the tabloid rumors. She tends to announce her projects through industry trades like Deadline or The Hollywood Reporter.
- Watch her early work: If you haven't seen I Believe in Unicorns, find it. It shows her raw talent before the Netflix polish.
- Check out "Stranger Things: Tales from '85": It’s an upcoming animated spinoff where Nancy makes an appearance. It bridges the gap between seasons 2 and 3.
- Read "One Way or Another": This is a Nancy Wheeler mystery novel that just dropped. It focuses on her and Robin investigating a case between seasons 4 and 5.
Dyer has moved on from the 80s perms and the Demogorgons. But for most of us, she’ll always be the girl who realized that sometimes, the only way to save your town is to pick up a gun and find the truth yourself.
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Keep an eye on the independent film circuit. That’s where the most interesting work is happening for her right now. It's a new chapter, and it's looking a lot less like a horror movie and a lot more like a career built on staying power.