The enchanting bond between actors Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton, who captivated audiences as Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers in the global phenomenon Stranger Things, transcends the small screen. Their romance, which blossomed discreetly amidst the backdrop of 1980s Hawkins, has become a cherished off-screen narrative for fans worldwide. From their initial on-set meeting to becoming staples on the red carpet, their enduring relationship is proof of finding love while navigating the pressures of sudden, immense fame.

This is a comprehensive look at the evolution of their private yet public journey together, marked by professional collaboration and personal commitment.

Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton are accomplished actors best known for their starring roles in the massively popular Netflix series, Stranger Things. Natalia Dyer, born in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, is an American actress who portrays Nancy Wheeler. Charlie Heaton, hailing from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom, is a British actor who plays Jonathan Byers. As of now, Dyer is 30 years old (born January 13, 1995), and Heaton is 31 years old (born February 6, 1994).

The pair first met in September 2015, and their romantic relationship was first speculated about in the latter half of 2016. Since then, they have been a confirmed couple for over seven years, marking their relationship as one of the most stable and long-standing among the young Hollywood set.

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Their story began where many Hollywood romances take root: on a film set.

The initial spark occurred in September 2015 when Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton met on the set of the Netflix series, Stranger Things. They were cast as the central duo, Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers, whose characters’ storylines eventually intertwined in a romantic plot line. During an interview with GQ , Matt Duffer, the co-creator of Stranger Things, recalled in an interview that during a critical chemistry read between Dyer and Heaton, "sparks were flying."

The world first got a glimpse of their undeniable on-screen connection when the series premiered in 2016.

The premiere of Stranger Things on July 15, 2016, instantly launched Natalia Dyer (21) and Charlie Heaton (22) into fame. Their on-screen chemistry ignited real-life romance speculation. Navigating the surprising and overwhelming shock of the show’s success together, as Dyer described in a GQ Interview, forged a strong bond that became fundamental to their developing private relationship amidst the intense public spotlight.

Following the show's massive success, it did not take long for them to begin subtly featuring one another on social media.

Fans were treated to the first subtle hints of their off-screen bond through social media. Just after Netflix confirmed that Stranger Things would return for a second season, Charlie Heaton posted a picture on September 9, 2016, from a trip to Menorca, featuring Dyer among his "amigos."

A few days later, on September 14, 2016, Natalia Dyer posted a playful, solo shot of Heaton with birds on his shoulders, jokingly captioning it a congratulatory post for his "new one man show Stranger Wings."

Although they were not explicitly confirming a relationship, these early joint appearances and playful exchanges on Instagram, followed by a joint Wizard of Oz-themed Halloween outing with friends on October 29, 2016, strongly suggested that their relationship was growing into something more than just a friendship.

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After months of speculation, an airport sighting finally gave fans concrete evidence they were spending time together outside of cast events.

Despite their efforts to keep their personal lives private, public sightings solidified the romance rumors. After attending the 2017 Golden Globe Awards as part of the Stranger Things cast, the couple was photographed together at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) while departing Los Angeles. This was one of the first clear instances of the two traveling together away from official work obligations, further fanning the flames of dating speculation that had been growing since the show’s premiere.

Finally, the pair made a clear, definitive statement about their status by stepping onto the red carpet together as a couple.

After nearly a year of circulating rumors and avoiding direct confirmation, Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton made their relationship official in the most public way possible: by attending a major event together as a couple. They stepped out onto the red carpet at the 2017 Fashion Awards in London, marking their first official public appearance as a confirmed romantic item. Over the next year, their public appearances increased, including presenting the Best Drama award together at the 2018 National Television Awards on January 23, 2018, and attending events like Coachella, confirming their comfort in sharing their lives.

Their professional careers often intertwine, providing them a unique perspective on the challenges of their shared industry.

As their relationship matured, both actors became more vocal about the unique benefits of dating someone who shared their professional life and specific career trajectory. In a cover story interview with V Man, Charlie Heaton spoke about the importance of their shared understanding, explaining, to go home with “someone you work with”.

He highlighted that working in the same industry and having similar experiences allowed them to "break the walls down" and share insecurities that others might not understand. Natalia Dyer echoed this sentiment in July 2019, telling Refinery29 that working with her partner was "always really fun" because they were really comfortable with each other, allowing them to feel freer and collaborative on set.

The couple's appearances in the following years demonstrated their enduring commitment, marking important milestones in their shared journey.

Their relationship continued to thrive through the next few years, punctuated by sweet public moments and shared professional milestones. On January 13, 2020, Heaton shared a subtle and affectionate tribute for Dyer's 25th birthday on Instagram. The couple later showed a rare public display of affection by holding hands on the red carpet at the 2020 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Despite periods of laying low, they reemerged for major events, including the Madrid premiere of Stranger Things season 4 in May 2022, and the Brooklyn Artists Ball in April 2023, marking their first red-carpet appearance in nearly a year. Then on April 22, 2025, they stepped out together for the premiere of the Broadway play, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, showing their continued support for the franchise that brought them together and their commitment to one another after a decade.

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