Natalia Danielle Dyer (born January 13, 1995) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Nancy Wheeler in the Netflix science fiction horror series Stranger Things (2016–2025). She has also appeared in the Peacock comedy thriller series Based on a True Story (2023) and the films Yes, God, Yes (2019), Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), and Things Heard & Seen (2021).
Early life Natalia Danielle Dyer was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 13, 1995. She has two sisters and an older brother. She started acting in community theater as a child. She graduated from the Nashville School of the Arts, then moved to New York City and enrolled at New York University, studying at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study.
Career Dyer began her professional career during her early teenage years, taking part in projects produced in and around her hometown in Tennessee; her first screen role was as Clarissa Granger in Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009). During this time, she had also taken small roles in the films The Greening of Whitney Brown and Blue Like Jazz before starring in the small independent films Don't Let Me Go and After Darkness; both films were released the following years. At age 16, she starred in I Believe in Unicorns, which was her first major role. The film premiered three years later at the 2014 SXSW Film Festival.
Dyer's breakthrough role was as Nancy Wheeler in the Netflix series Stranger Things. Dyer has also starred in independent films, most notably the dramedy film Yes, God, Yes (2019) in which she stars as Alice, a Catholic school girl exploring sexuality. Among her more notable credits are supporting roles in the horror films Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) and Things Heard & Seen (2021). She starred in the 2023 horror film All Fun and Games opposite Asa Butterfield.
Personal life Since 2016, Dyer has been in a relationship with her Stranger Things co-star Charlie Heaton.
Filmography +Key Denotes works that have not yet been released
Film
Year Title Role Notes2009Hannah Montana: The MovieClarissa Granger2010Too Sunny for SantaJanieShort film2011The Greening of Whitney BrownLily2012Blue Like JazzGrace2013Don't Let Me GoBanshee2014After DarknessClara BeatyI Believe in UnicornsDavinaThe City at NightAdelineShort film2015Till DarkLucyShort film2016Long Nights Short MorningsMarie2017Yes, God, YesAliceShort film2018Mountain RestClaraAfter HerHaileyShort film2019 Velvet BuzzsawCoco Yes, God, YesAlice The Nearest Human Being MoniqueTuscaloosaVirginia2021 United States vs. Reality Winner Reality Winner (voice) Things Heard & Seen Willis Howell2023 ChestnutAnnie All Fun and Games Billie FletcherTBAGoodbye Girl TBA
Television Year Title Role Notes 2016–2025 Stranger Things Nancy Wheeler Main role 2023 Based on a True Story Chloe Lake Main role (season 1)
Web Year Title Role Notes 2017 The Postman's Dreams 2 Herself Episode: "The Elevator" 2020 Acting for a Cause Jane Eyre Episode: "Jane Eyre"
Music videos YearTitleArtistRef.2018"Wild Love"James Bay
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2019; 2026 Dead by Daylight Nancy Wheeler Likeness
Theater Selected credits Year Title RoleVenue Ref. 2004 To Kill a Mockingbird ScoutTennessee Performing Arts Center 2009TitanicStewardess / Third Class PassengerLooby Theater2016The Intriguing Engagements of Frances and Meg Cheatham, Ladies Of SocietyMegTeatro La Tea (FringeNYC)
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2017 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Digital TV Series or Film — Teen Actress Stranger Things Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 2018 2020
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