Charlie Heaton Reflects on Fatherhood and Long-Term Relationship with Natalia Dyer

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — November 26, 2025 — Actor Charlie Heaton spoke about his experiences as a young father and his nearly decade-long relationship with fellow Stranger Things co-star Natalia Dyer in a recent interview with Wonderland magazine. Heaton, 31, revealed that he became a father at age 20 with Akiko Matsuura, a former bandmate, describing the challenges and responsibilities that came with early parenthood. “Being a young father, you have to grow up very fast,” Heaton said. “You have to also learn ethical priorities, too, and you’ve got to look after somebody. That’s a big thing. You want to give them good experiences and a lot of love and the hard part obviously is distance. But that’s part of the sacrifice.”

Heaton and Dyer first met while auditioning for the Netflix series Stranger Things and have maintained a private relationship since then. Heaton described working alongside Dyer as “precious,” emphasizing the support they provide each other in their shared profession. “It’s been a gift to work with my best friend,” he said. Heaton highlighted the mutual understanding they share regarding the anxieties of their careers, such as the stress of not securing roles and the challenges of difficult workdays. “To be able 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. You can be there to talk about it, or when you have a bad day at work, or come away from a scene and you didn’t think it worked. To be able to both understand each other on that level is great,” he added.

Dyer previously commented on their relationship in 2022, noting that they were colleagues first and that their partnership developed naturally through their work on the same show. She remarked on the public’s perception of their relationship as the most unusual aspect, given their professional connection.

The couple’s relationship and Heaton’s reflections on fatherhood provide insight into balancing personal life and career in the entertainment industry. The full interview with Heaton is available through Wonderland magazine.