‘Stranger Things’ Star Charlie Heaton Opens Up About Fatherhood and Relationship with Natalia Dyer

Actor Charlie Heaton, best known for playing Jonathan Byers in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, is opening up about his life as a young father and his long-term relationship with co-star Natalia Dyer.

In a new interview with Wonderland magazine published on Nov. 25, the 31-year-old reflected on becoming a dad at the age of 20 to his now 11-year-old son, Archie, whom he shares with his former bandmate Akiko Matsuura.

“Being a young father, you have to grow up very fast,” Heaton said. “You have to learn ethical priorities too, and you’ve got to look after somebody.”

Heaton described parenthood as both rewarding and challenging, admitting that distance has been the hardest part of his journey.

“You want to give them good experiences and a lot of love, and the hard part obviously is distance,” he continued. “But that’s part of the sacrifice.”

Balancing Family and Fame

Heaton’s career took off when Stranger Things premiered in 2016, just a few years after he became a father. Since then, he’s transitioned into more dramatic roles, including in HBO’s Industry. Yet, the actor says fatherhood taught him lessons that extend into his professional life — patience, focus, and empathy.

His reflections come as Stranger Things nears its final season, marking almost a decade since Heaton and Dyer first met on set.

Nearly a Decade with Natalia Dyer

Heaton also spoke about his nearly 10-year relationship with co-star Natalia Dyer, who plays Nancy Wheeler on the show. The couple confirmed their relationship in 2017 after months of speculation, and Heaton describes their bond as both personal and professional.

“It’s been a gift to work with my best friend,” he said. “To have a shared experience with your partner about the anxiety when you don’t get a job — I know what that feels like, she knows what that feels like.”

He added that sharing the same creative environment allows them to support one another during both the highs and lows of their acting careers.

“You can be there to talk about it, or when you have a bad day at work, or come away from a scene that didn’t go as planned,” he explained. “To both understand each other on that level is great.”

Dyer previously echoed the same sentiment in an interview with Refinery29 in 2019, saying that working alongside Heaton was “really fun” and made her feel freer creatively.

“We’re really comfortable with each other, so we can play and feel more free,” she said. “We can talk about it before, and that helps.”

As the Stranger Things phenomenon prepares for its final chapter in 2026, Heaton’s reflections paint a picture of growth — from a young musician navigating fatherhood to a grounded actor balancing fame, family, and love.

What do you think of Charlie Heaton’s candid reflection on fatherhood and love? Share your thoughts in the comments on InvestRecords.com.