The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers have broken up, following the events of Stranger Things season five volume two. In a recent interview, Matt Duffer stated plainly: 'That's a breakup. They are broken up.'
During the final season's second volume, Nancy and Jonathan found themselves trapped in a lab in the Upside Down. As a melting substance filled the room, they had an honest conversation about their relationship. Jonathan revealed that he never applied to Emerson, the university they planned to attend together, and that Nancy does not like The Clash. He then produced an engagement ring and proposed in what he called an 'un-proposal': 'Nancy Wheeler, will you not marry me?' She accepted, and they shared a kiss before realising the liquid had hardened, saving them.
Matt Duffer explained that the decision to end their relationship had been known for a while. 'It's hard to recall when exactly that idea came, but I think us — and the writers — all felt that Nancy needed to end up on her own and be independent and have an opportunity to find herself,' he said. He added that it was unrealistic for a high school relationship to last forever.
Ross Duffer noted that their love was built on a 'trauma bond' after they fought a Demogorgon together in the first season. Despite the breakup, the actors Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton have been dating since 2017. Both will appear in the final volume of season five, which arrives on New Year's Day.
