As the final chapters of Netflix's global phenomenon Stranger Things hit screens, star Natalia Dyer was spotted embracing the winter chill in New York City. The actress, famed for playing the intrepid Nancy Wheeler, made a stylish appearance just as fans were digesting the dramatic, series-altering events of the newly released episodes.
A Stylish Stroll Amidst the Finale Release
The 30-year-old actress braved the freezing temperatures this week, showcasing a chic winter ensemble. Dyer opted for a grey skirt and a white faux-fur coat, completing the look with strappy white heels and dark sunglasses. Her blonde hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, complemented by a glowing makeup look, as she navigated the New York streets.
Her outing coincided with a major gift for fans: the surprise release of multiple episodes from Stranger Things season five, volume two, which became available to stream on Christmas Day. This drop included the highly anticipated two-hour series finale, titled 'The Rightside Up,' which premiered on December 31.
The Dramatic 'Un-Proposal' That Ended a Fan-Favourite Romance
Within the new episodes, one scene involving Nancy and her long-term boyfriend Jonathan Byers (played by Charlie Heaton) left viewers on edge. Trapped in a near-death situation within the toxic Hawkins lab in the Upside Down, the couple shared a raw, emotional moment where harsh truths were finally aired.
In a tense sequence, Nancy confesses she hates The Clash, while Jonathan admits he never applied to Emerson College and doesn't enjoy reading her articles. He then produces an engagement ring from his pocket, delivering a poignant line: "Nancy Wheeler, will you not marry me?"
She accepts this 'un-proposal,' they share a kiss and declarations of love, only to then realise the deadly substance around them has hardened and they have survived. While this moment played like a twisted romantic gesture, the show's creators have clarified it was, in fact, a definitive breakup.
Creators Confirm Nancy and Jonathan's Split
In an interview with People magazine, co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer explicitly stated the intent behind the charged scene. "That's a breakup," Matt Duffer said. "They are broken up."
The brothers explained they had long planned for the couple to part ways, feeling that Nancy needed to end up on her own to find independence and herself. "How many people wind up with their girlfriend or boyfriend that they met in high school?" Matt pondered, noting their relationship was complicated by extraordinary trauma.
Ross Duffer elaborated on the concept of a 'trauma bond,' suggesting the shared horrors they endured ultimately made a sustainable future together unlikely. The scene was designed to place them in a life-or-death scenario to force these long-suppressed feelings to the surface, allowing both characters to grow separately.
Off-screen, the actors Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton remain a couple in real life, adding an extra layer of poignancy to their characters' on-screen separation. All episodes of Stranger Things season five, including both volumes, are now available for streaming on Netflix.
