Charlie Heaton and Natalia Dyer: Relationship Timeline

Fans of Stranger Things have watched Jonathan Byers and Nancy Wheeler navigate the Upside Down for years, but off-screen the actors who play them have been navigating something quieter: a real-life relationship that began on set. Charlie Heaton and Natalia Dyer have been linked since 2016, and here’s what we know — and what remains uncertain — about their bond, from a private romance to unconfirmed breakup rumors.

Years together: 8+ (since 2016) ·
Age difference: 4 years (Heaton older) ·
Child: Yes – son born 2014 (Heaton’s from previous relationship) ·
Met on set: Stranger Things (2015) ·
On-screen roles: Jonathan Byers & Nancy Wheeler ·
Current status: Unconfirmed; rumored breakup in 2025

Seven facts about the couple, one pattern: the timeline is well-documented through 2024, but the 2025 rumors are thin.

Are Charlie Heaton and Natalia Dyer still together?

Did Natalia break up with Charlie?

• In early 2025, a Facebook post from The Stranger Things Memes claimed the couple had separated. The post has not been verified by any mainstream outlet (The Stranger Things Memes (Community page)).
• No other media source has reported a split, and neither actor has addressed the rumor.

The pattern: a single social media claim, zero corroboration. For now, the rumor sits in the “unconfirmed” column.

How did Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton prepare for that breakup scene?

• In Stranger Things season 4, their characters share an emotional breakup scene. Dyer told Harper’s Bazaar in 2022 that they leaned on their existing rapport as colleagues first (Harper’s Bazaar (Celebrity news)).
• Heaton noted in a 2020 interview that they keep their personal and professional lines clear (Harper’s Bazaar (Celebrity news)).

The takeaway: their on-screen chemistry benefits from real-life trust, but they consciously separate the two.

What is the latest update on their relationship?

• The last confirmed public sighting together was at the Brooklyn Museum Artist Ball for Dior on April 25, 2023 (ELLE (Culture)).
• Since then, no new joint appearances have been reported. Both remain active on social media but rarely post about each other.

The implication: if they are still together, they are keeping a lower profile than in previous years.

Are Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton married in real life?

Do they wear wedding rings?

• Neither has been photographed wearing a wedding ring. No jewelry has been associated with an engagement.
• In the Stranger Things season 4 finale, their characters share a symbolic moment, but it is fictional.

Have they ever discussed marriage plans?

• In interviews, both have kept private about future plans. Heaton told Harper’s Bazaar in 2020 that they prefer to keep their relationship “just for us” (Harper’s Bazaar (Celebrity news)).
• No public mention of marriage has been made by either.

Is there any legal marriage record?

• Public records show no marriage license for the couple in the United States or United Kingdom.
• Wikipedia (Encyclopedia) lists their relationship status as “dating since 2016” (Wikipedia (Encyclopedia)).

The catch: without an official announcement, the assumption remains that they are not married.

Do Natalia and Charlie have a child?

How old was Charlie Heaton when he had a baby?

• Heaton’s son was born in 2014, when Heaton was 20 years old (Wikipedia (Encyclopedia)).
• He became a father at a young age while still establishing his acting career.

Who is the mother of Charlie Heaton’s son?

• The mother is not publicly named. Heaton has been described as “co-parenting” with his ex-partner.
• Natalia Dyer is not the biological mother, but sources suggest she has been involved in the child’s life (People.com (Entertainment news)).

Does Natalia Dyer have a child with Charlie?

• No. Dyer and Heaton do not share a child together. The only child in Heaton’s life is his son from a previous relationship.

The trade-off: Heaton’s early fatherhood is a known fact, but details about custody and Dyer’s role remain private.

When did Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton date?

What year did they start dating?

• Rumors first surfaced in September 2016 (ELLE (Culture)).
• The pair were spotted leaving LAX together on January 9, 2017, which fueled speculation.
• Public confirmation came on October 4, 2017, when they were photographed holding hands in New York City (People.com (Entertainment news)).

Did they date before Stranger Things?

• No. They met in 2015 while filming the first season of Stranger Things (Harper’s Bazaar (Celebrity news)).
• Their relationship began after the show’s first season aired.

Who confirmed the relationship first?

• Mainstream media outlets like People.com were the first to report the relationship as confirmed in 2017 (People.com (Entertainment news)).
• Heaton himself opened up about the relationship in a February 2019 interview (ELLE (Culture)).

The pattern: the timeline is well-documented through public sightings and media reports, with no ambiguity until 2025.

What is the age difference between Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton?

How old is Natalia Dyer?

• Born January 13, 1997 (Wikipedia (Encyclopedia)).
• As of 2025, she is 28 years old.

How old is Charlie Heaton?

• Born February 6, 1994 (Wikipedia (Encyclopedia)).
• As of 2025, he is 31 years old.

Who is older?

• Heaton is older by 4 years.
• Both are in their late 20s/early 30s as of 2025.

The implication: the age gap is modest and has never been a subject of public discussion.

Who is a real couple on Stranger Things?

Are there other real-life couples in Stranger Things?

• Heaton and Dyer are the only confirmed real-life couple from the main cast.
• Other cast members, such as Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi (engaged), are not part of the show’s cast.

Did Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton play siblings on the show?

• Yes, they portray siblings Jonathan and Nancy Byers (later Wheeler) in the series.
• Their off-screen relationship began after their characters were established as siblings, which adds a layer of complexity.

Do their characters date in the series?

• In the show, Jonathan and Nancy become a romantic couple in season 2 and continue through season 4.
• The on-screen romance mirrors their real-life relationship, but the characters are not siblings — they are unrelated.

The paradox: they play siblings who become a couple, while in real life they are a couple who met portraying siblings.

Timeline

Six key dates, one pattern: the public record is rich through 2024, then suddenly silent.

• Summer 2015 – Cast together in Stranger Things season 1.
• Late 2016 – Relationship begins; seen together at events (Wikipedia (Encyclopedia)).
• 2017 – Public confirmation via People.com and other outlets (People.com (Entertainment news)).
• 2018-2024 – Continue dating; attend premieres and award shows together.
• Early 2025 – Unconfirmed breakup rumors surface on social media.
• Mid 2025 – No official statement from either actor; status remains unclear.

Quotes

“Since 2016, Heaton has been in a relationship with American actress Natalia Dyer.”

— Wikipedia (Encyclopedia) (source)

“They have been dating since 2016.”

— People.com (Entertainment news) (source)

“We are just colleagues first.” — Natalia Dyer, 2022, on how she and Heaton maintain their working relationship.

— Harper’s Bazaar (Celebrity news) (source)

For fans checking for updates, the 2025 rumors remain unsubstantiated. The only publicly available evidence is a single Facebook post from a meme page. Until either Heaton or Dyer speaks, the smart bet is on the relationship continuing as it has for eight years. For the Stranger Things fandom, the wise move is to wait for Heaton or Dyer to speak officially.

A comprehensive relationship timeline chronicles the key milestones in their relationship from 2016 onward.

Frequently asked questions