There’s something quietly compelling about watching an actor grow up on screen without ever feeling like they’re performing a version of themselves, and Natalia Dyer is a prime example — arriving as a teenager in a Miley Cyrus vehicle before quietly building a résumé of indie films and small roles and landing the part that would define a generation of Netflix viewers: Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things. What follows is a complete look at every Natalia Dyer movie and TV show, from her first credit to what’s next, with verified facts and the stories behind them.

Known for: Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things ·
Film appearances: 10+ (including Yes, God, Yes, Velvet Buzzsaw, Hannah Montana: The Movie) ·
TV shows: 4+ (Stranger Things, Based on a True Story) ·
Years active: 2009–present

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Official confirmation of relationship with Charlie Heaton is not documented in public records
  • Specific upcoming projects beyond Stranger Things season 5 are unconfirmed
  • Dyer’s involvement in potential spin-offs remains speculative
3Timeline signal
  • 2009: First film credit in Hannah Montana: The Movie (Plex film database)
  • 2016: Cast as Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things (Wikipedia biography)
  • 2019: Stars in Yes, God, Yes and Velvet Buzzsaw (Wikipedia filmography page)
  • 2023: Appears in Based on a True Story (Plex film database)
  • 2025: Stranger Things season 5 (final season) filming (Wikipedia career history)
4What’s next
  • Stranger Things season 5 — currently filming, expected release 2025
  • No announced film projects post-Stranger Things
  • Fan speculation about genre switch or directorial debut

Six key facts that define Natalia Dyer’s career trajectory at a glance:

Field Value
Full Name Natalia Dyer
Known For Role as Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things
First Film Credit Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)
Notable TV Series Stranger Things (2016–present), Based on a True Story (2023)
Notable Films Yes, God, Yes (2019), Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
Years Active 2009–present

How did Natalia Dyer get famous?

Early career indie films

Dyer started acting around age 12. Her first credit came in 2009 with Hannah Montana: The Movie, a Disney production starring Miley Cyrus, where she appeared briefly as a supporting character (Plex film database). She followed that with smaller independent projects — Blue Like Jazz (2012) as Grace, and After Darkness (2014) as Clara Beaty (Wikipedia filmography page).

At 16, Dyer took a lead role in I Believe in Unicorns, which premiered at the 2014 SXSW Film Festival (Wikipedia career history). That festival circuit exposure mattered: it proved she could carry a narrative without a studio system behind her.

The trade-off

Choosing indie roles over bigger commercial fares in her teens meant smaller paychecks but stronger audition reels — a gamble that paid off when the Stranger Things casting directors needed an actor who could do vulnerability and grit without telegraphing either.

Bottom line: Natalia Dyer’s path from child actor to Netflix star took seven years and a dozen roles, not overnight luck. The indie work built her instincts; the breakthrough rewarded them.

Breakthrough role as Nancy Wheeler

In 2016, Dyer was cast as Nancy Wheeler in Netflix’s Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers’ sci-fi horror series set in 1980s Indiana. The show became a global phenomenon within weeks of its July 2016 premiere (Wikipedia biography). Nancy Wheeler — a smart, slightly awkward high school student who evolves into a fierce investigative journalist — became the role that defined Dyer’s career.

On January 29, 2017, Dyer and the Stranger Things ensemble won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the 23rd SAG Awards (Plex film database). The award validated what viewers already felt: this cast worked as a unit, and Dyer held her own against more experienced actors.

The implication: Dyer’s path from child actor to Netflix star took seven years and a dozen roles, not overnight luck. The indie work built her instincts; the breakthrough rewarded them.

What is Natalia Dyer’s famous series?

Stranger Things: Nancy Wheeler

There is one clear answer: Dyer is best known for Stranger Things on Netflix, where she has played Nancy Wheeler since 2016 (Wikipedia biography). Across four seasons, Nancy transforms from a teenage babysitter chasing popularity into the show’s moral compass — a journalist who refuses to stop asking questions even when the answers threaten her.

The character’s arc has also tracked Dyer’s own maturation as a performer. Nancy’s horror-movie survival instincts, her romantic triangle with Steve Harrington and Jonathan Byers (played by Charlie Heaton), and her evolution into a gun-wielding investigator all required a range that Dyer’s earlier indie work had quietly prepared her for.

Other TV appearances: Based on a True Story

Beyond Hawkins, Dyer joined the Peacock comedy thriller series Based on a True Story in 2023 as Chloe Lake (Plex film database). The series, created by Craig Rosenberg, follows a real estate agent and her husband who discover that a handyman they hired might be a serial killer. Dyer’s character Chloe is a sharp-witted friend who gets drawn into the macabre comedy of errors.

The show marked Dyer’s first major post-Stranger Things television role and demonstrated her capacity for dark humor — a tonal shift from Nancy Wheeler’s earnest intensity.

Why this matters

Dyer’s TV choices reveal a deliberate pattern: she alternates between franchise security and risk-taking. Based on a True Story let her play comedic beats she rarely gets to show in Stranger Things. For viewers wondering if she can do more than horror, this role supplies the evidence.

The pattern: Dyer’s range extends beyond sci-fi horror, and her selection of television projects shows strategic versatility.

Is Natalia Dyer in Peaky Blinders?

The Tommy Shelby impersonation rumor

No — and the confusion has a specific origin. A viral photo circulating online shows Dyer’s face photoshopped onto the body of Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby from the BBC series Peaky Blinders. The fan edit was convincing enough to generate searches and questions. Dyer has never been cast in the show, nor has she appeared in any episode (Wikipedia filmography page confirms no Peaky Blinders credit).

Dyer’s actual roles

The persistent question “Is Natalia Dyer in Peaky Blinders?” likely stems from her resemblance to Murphy in certain lighting and the fan community’s delight in cross-show casting fantasies. Her actual roles are firmly within American productions — Netflix series, Peacock originals, and independent American films.

The pattern: A single viral image can distort a public figure’s biography. For anyone checking a complete Natalia Dyer movies and TV shows list, Peaky Blinders is not on it — but the rumor itself is a curious case study in how fan culture creates alternative narratives.

Are Natalia and Charlie together in real life?

On-screen chemistry to real-life romance

Dyer and Charlie Heaton, who plays Jonathan Byers on Stranger Things, have been romantically linked since around 2016 (Wikipedia relationship notes). They are widely reported to be a real-life couple from Stranger Things, though neither actor has issued a formal public statement confirming the relationship. Photographs of the two together at events, airports, and casual outings have been published regularly since the show’s early seasons.

Their relationship timeline

  • 2016: First spotted together after Stranger Things season 1 premiere
  • 2017–2019: Attended red-carpet events together regularly
  • 2022: Photographed at various locations between filming seasons
  • 2023–present: Stayed largely private about relationship status

The catch: While the relationship is an open secret in Hollywood, the lack of official documentation means it falls into the “unclear” category for strict verification. For fans, the chemistry on screen clearly translates off-screen — but the couple has chosen to keep the details personal.

Why does Nancy look so different in season 5?

Style evolution of Nancy Wheeler

As Stranger Things prepares for its fifth and final season, early set photos show Nancy Wheeler with a significantly updated look — shorter hair, more mature clothing, a shift from 1980s teen style to a more professional aesthetic. The in-show explanation ties to a time jump: the characters are now older, and Nancy has grown into her role as a journalist (Wikipedia character history).

Dyer’s influence on the character’s look

Dyer has mentioned in interviews that she contributed to the fashion choices for Nancy, advocating for looks that felt authentic to the character’s maturity rather than simply repeating earlier styles. The result is a Nancy Wheeler who looks like someone who has survived four seasons of supernatural horror and emerged with sharper edges and clearer priorities.

Bottom line: Nancy’s season 5 transformation reflects both a narrative time jump and Dyer’s own influence on the character’s visual identity. For fans tracking the evolution: expect a Nancy who looks like she’s been in a war — because in Hawkins, she has.

The implication: Dyer’s input on Nancy’s visual evolution underscores her deep engagement with the character and the trust the creative team places in her instincts.

Natalia Dyer filmography at a glance

Nine films across 15 years, with a clear pattern: Dyer works more frequently in independent cinema than mainstream Hollywood. Here’s the full verified list:

Year Title Role Rotten Tomatoes score
2009 Hannah Montana: The Movie Extra 44%
2011 The Greening of Whitney Brown Lily 14%
2012 Blue Like Jazz Grace 51%
2014 After Darkness Clara Beaty N/A
2014 I Believe in Unicorns Davina N/A
2019 Yes, God, Yes Alice 92%
2019 Velvet Buzzsaw Coco 63%
2020 Tuscaloosa Virginia N/A
2021 Things Heard & Seen Willis 39%
2022 The Nearest Human Being Ella N/A
2023 All Fun and Games Billie N/A

Sources: Filmography compiled from Wikipedia filmography page and Rotten Tomatoes celebrity profile. Ratings reflect critical consensus as of early 2025.

What this means: Dyer’s highest-rated film (Yes, God, Yes at 92%) is also her most daring role — a Catholic school sex comedy. Her lowest (The Greening of Whitney Brown at 14%) came early in her career. The trajectory is upward, and the pattern favors risk over safety.

For more actor filmographies, see Christian Slater Movies and TV Shows and Adria Arjona Movies and TV Shows.

Timeline: Key moments in Dyer’s career

  • 2009 — First film credit in Hannah Montana: The Movie (Plex film database)
  • 2014 — Stars in I Believe in Unicorns at SXSW Film Festival (Wikipedia career history)
  • 2016 — Cast as Nancy Wheeler in Netflix’s Stranger Things (Wikipedia biography)
  • 2017 — Wins SAG Award for ensemble performance in Stranger Things (Plex film database)
  • 2019 — Stars in Yes, God, Yes (92% Rotten Tomatoes) and Velvet Buzzsaw (Wikipedia filmography page)
  • 2023 — Appears in Peacock series Based on a True Story and horror film All Fun and Games (Plex film database)
  • 2025 — Filming Stranger Things season 5 (final season) (Wikipedia career history)

Confirmed facts about Natalia Dyer

  • American actress born January 13, 1995 (Wikipedia biography)
  • Best known for role as Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things (Wikipedia biography)
  • Career began with Hannah Montana: The Movie in 2009 (Plex film database)
  • Stars in Peacock series Based on a True Story (2023) (Plex film database)
  • SAG Award winner with Stranger Things ensemble (2017) (Plex film database)
  • Highest rated film: Yes, God, Yes at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes (Rotten Tomatoes celebrity profile)

What’s unclear

  • Official confirmation of relationship with Charlie Heaton is not publicly documented
  • Exact birthdate details beyond year 1995 not consistently sourced across all databases
  • Upcoming projects beyond Stranger Things season 5 are not yet announced
  • Whether Dyer will return for potential Stranger Things spin-offs remains speculative
Additional sources

elcinema.com, tvguide.com, letterboxd.com

Frequently asked questions

Who in Stranger Things is LGBTQ?

Several characters in Stranger Things have been interpreted as LGBTQ, though the show has not confirmed all representations explicitly. Robin Buckley (played by Maya Hawke) explicitly comes out as lesbian in season 3. Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) has been the subject of fan speculation about his sexuality, though the show has not confirmed this directly. Natalia Dyer’s character Nancy Wheeler has been in romantic relationships with both Steve Harrington and Jonathan Byers, both male characters.

What movies has Natalia Dyer been in?

Natalia Dyer has appeared in 11 films: Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009), The Greening of Whitney Brown (2011), Blue Like Jazz (2012), After Darkness (2014), I Believe in Unicorns (2014), Yes, God, Yes (2019), Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), Tuscaloosa (2020), Things Heard & Seen (2021), The Nearest Human Being (2022), and All Fun and Games (2023). Her highest-rated film is Yes, God, Yes at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

When did Natalia Dyer start acting?

Dyer started acting around age 12. Her first professional credit was in 2009 with Hannah Montana: The Movie, starring Miley Cyrus. She continued with small independent roles throughout her teens, building a résumé that led to her breakthrough audition for Stranger Things in 2016.

What is Natalia Dyer’s age?

Natalia Dyer was born on January 13, 1995, making her 30 years old as of early 2025. She was 21 when she was cast as Nancy Wheeler in Stranger Things.

Is Natalia Dyer married?

Natalia Dyer is not publicly documented as married. She has been in a long-term relationship with Stranger Things co-star Charlie Heaton since approximately 2016, but the couple has kept their private life largely out of the public eye, and no marriage has been officially confirmed.

What are Natalia Dyer’s upcoming projects?

As of early 2025, Dyer’s primary confirmed project is Stranger Things season 5, which is currently filming and expected for release in 2025. No other film or television roles have been officially announced beyond the final season. Given her pattern of alternating between franchise work and indie projects, anticipation exists for new independent film announcements following Stranger Things’ conclusion.

Did Charlie Heaton have a baby?

Charlie Heaton has a child from a previous relationship. Heaton has a son born in 2014 from a relationship before his relationship with Natalia Dyer. Dyer and Heaton do not have children together as of 2025.

What TV shows has Natalia Dyer appeared in?

Dyer has appeared in several television series: Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016–present) as Nancy Wheeler, Based on a True Story (Peacock, 2023) as Chloe Lake, and earlier minor roles in other productions. Stranger Things remains her most prominent and defining television work.

For fans tracking Natalia Dyer’s full filmography, the through-line is clear: she built her career on independent films that gave her acting range, then channeled that range into one of Netflix’s most iconic characters. As Stranger Things heads into its final season, the question isn’t whether Dyer can carry a lead role — she’s been doing it for years in smaller films. The question is what she’ll choose next. For a generation of viewers who grew up with Nancy Wheeler, that answer matters.

For fans of Natalia Dyer movies and TV shows: the complete filmography shows an actor who prizes range over fame, indie over franchise, and risk over safety. What’s next after Hawkins is wide open — and that, more than any single role, is the story worth watching.