After nearly a decade of monster hunting, mystery-solving, and teenage turmoil, Stranger Things is nearing its end, but one of its oldest unresolved questions still has fans debating: who will Nancy Wheeler end up with, Jonathan or Steve?
Since Season 1, Nancy’s romantic life has been a major subplot, evolving alongside her journey from a naïve high schooler to a fearless leader. She started off dating Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), only to fall for the sensitive and introspective Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton). Yet, after Steve’s redemption arc and Jonathan’s emotional distance in the later seasons, viewers remain divided over who Nancy truly belongs with.
Now, ahead of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2, Natalia Dyer herself has shared her thoughts in a new interview with Variety, providing fans with a long-awaited update on the triangle and where Nancy’s heart might lie.
“This is a pressure-cooker situation,” Dyer explained. “Obviously, in the last season, they were apart for a long time, and then when they come back to each other I mean, there’s so much pressure and stress.”
Overview: Stranger Things Season 5 and the Nancy Wheeler Dilemma
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Stranger Things |
| Season | 5 (Final Season) |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Main Focus | Nancy Wheeler’s emotional conflict amid the battle against Vecna |
| Key Relationships | Nancy & Jonathan, Nancy & Steve |
| Love Triangle Status | Unresolved |
| Upcoming Release | Volume 2 (Dec. 25, 2025) & Finale (Dec. 31, 2025) |
| Spinoff Novel | Stranger Things: One Way or Another (Nancy & Robin Mystery Adventure) |
Dyer on Nancy’s Mindset: Survival First, Love Later
According to Dyer, romance isn’t the top priority for Nancy right now; survival is.
“She’s definitely in a place where she’s running on a survival level, but still figuring herself out and figuring her life out,” the actress explained. “Even what a life looks like — and will there be a life? There’s definitely friction going on, but I think her focus right now is fighting Vecna, running these crawls, doing that planning work.”
The statement highlights how Nancy’s maturity has evolved since the first season. Once defined by her relationships, she’s now a leader making life-and-death decisions. Still, the emotional undertones of her romantic past continue to shape her.
Film and television analyst Leah Carter notes,
“Nancy’s story has always paralleled the heart of Stranger Things: the struggle between ordinary emotions and extraordinary circumstances. Her conflict between Jonathan and Steve isn’t just romantic — it’s symbolic of who she’s become.”
Jonathan vs. Steve: Who Fits Nancy’s Future?
Throughout Season 5 Vol. 1, Nancy’s relationships have been subtly but significantly tested. Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), though loyal, has grown distant and conflicted about their future. His hesitation, even when given an engagement ring by Murray Bauman, underscores his uncertainty.
| Character | Relationship with Nancy | Season 5 Status |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Byers | Current boyfriend since Season 2 | Emotionally distant, cautious, yet still caring |
| Steve Harrington | Ex-boyfriend, close ally | More open, supportive, and emotionally vulnerable |
Meanwhile, Steve (Joe Keery) has undergone one of television’s most celebrated redemption arcs. Once a cocky high school jock, he’s become a brave, selfless leader and a symbol of emotional growth.
In several moments this season, Steve’s kindness and willingness to reconnect with Nancy reignited their chemistry, sparking fan theories that the series could come full circle by reuniting them.
Critic James Holloway observes,
“Steve represents the life Nancy might have had, grounded, human, hopeful. Jonathan represents the life she’s chosen: dangerous, uncertain, but real. Her choice will say as much about her future as it does about her heart.”
Dyer on the Pressure of Playing Nancy for a Decade
For Dyer, who has portrayed Nancy since 2016, the upcoming finale carries both emotional weight and responsibility. She expressed deep affection and protectiveness over her character’s arc:
“Nancy’s future does matter to me,” Dyer admitted. “After 10 years, you can’t help but really feel invested in these characters and their story. You want them to end up in a way that feels right, not just the idealistic, most perfect, beautiful version, but when you’ve lived through this, you want them to come out with something that feels earned or deserved, or that makes sense.”
Her comments suggest that regardless of who Nancy ends up with, Jonathan, Steve, or perhaps no one, the conclusion must align with her character’s journey rather than fan expectations.
“It has to feel right with everything,” Dyer emphasized.
The Love Triangle’s Evolution Across Seasons
| Season | Nancy’s Relationship Arc | Key Emotional Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Starts dating Steve; later grows close to Jonathan | Nancy and Jonathan connect after Barb’s death |
| Season 2 | Officially chooses Jonathan | Steve begins his redemption journey |
| Season 3 | Nancy and Jonathan face work-related tension | Nancy defies sexist colleagues to publish a story |
| Season 4 | Jonathan and Nancy grow apart | Steve confesses lingering feelings |
| Season 5 (Vol. 1) | Jonathan uncertain, Steve reconnects | Murray gives Jonathan an engagement ring he doesn’t use |
The Duffer Brothers have always left room for ambiguity, allowing Nancy’s relationships to evolve naturally alongside her independence. However, Season 5’s emotional undertones, coupled with life-or-death stakes, may force her to finally make a choice.
The Emotional Stakes Ahead: Survival Over Romance
While fans eagerly anticipate romantic closure, Stranger Things remains, at its core, a story about resilience, friendship, and sacrifice. As the final episodes approach, Dyer reminds fans that love isn’t the only thing at stake; survival is.
“This is a pressure-cooker situation,” she reiterated. “Everyone’s just trying to stay alive. There’s so much at play that love almost takes a backseat at least for now.”
Entertainment columnist Renee Caldwell adds,
“Nancy’s decision, whether romantic or personal, will likely define the series’ ending tone. But as Dyer hints, it’s not about perfection. It’s about what feels earned after everything they’ve endured.”
Nancy Wheeler’s Spinoff Novel: One Way or Another
Beyond the main series, fans can expect more of Nancy’s story in an upcoming Stranger Things spinoff novel, Stranger Things: One Way or Another.
| Spinoff Title | Stranger Things: One Way or Another |
|---|---|
| Format | Novel |
| Main Characters | Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley |
| Setting | Between Seasons 4 and 5 |
| Plot Summary | Nancy and Robin team up to solve a local mystery tied to Hawkins’ hidden history |
| Release Window | Early 2026 |
The novel will expand on Nancy’s investigative instincts, placing her and Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) in the center of a high-stakes mystery. Fans will see a more journalistic, post-teenage Nancy exploring new moral and emotional depths.
Author Katherine Locke, who is penning the novel, said in a statement,
“Nancy is the detective heart of Stranger Things — clever, determined, and brave. This story gives her the spotlight she’s always deserved.”
Recent Updates
- December 25, 2025: Stranger Things Season 5 Vol. 2 premieres on Netflix.
- December 31, 2025: Series finale releases worldwide.
- November 2025: Netflix confirms that the show’s final episodes will focus heavily on character resolution and emotional closure.
- October 2025: Stranger Things: One Way or Another novel officially announced.
- September 2025: Natalia Dyer teases “Nancy’s toughest choices yet” at the Toronto Film Festival.
Why It Matters?
Nancy Wheeler’s story represents one of Stranger Things’ most human throughlines a portrait of a young woman growing into her identity amid chaos. Whether she ends up with Steve, Jonathan, or chooses her own path entirely, her evolution mirrors the series’ broader theme: finding strength in uncertainty.
As fans prepare to say goodbye, Dyer’s comments reaffirm that Nancy’s ending, like the show itself, will prioritise authenticity over fantasy.
FAQs
Nancy remains with Jonathan, but their relationship is strained, and her connection with Steve resurfaces.
She said Nancy’s focus is on survival right now but emphasized that her story’s ending “has to feel right” after everything she’s been through.
Yes. Season 5 shows Steve being supportive and emotionally open with Nancy, hinting that his feelings haven’t faded.
According to Dyer, Nancy’s ending will feel earned, even if it’s not perfect.
Nancy stars in a new spinoff novel, Stranger Things: One Way or Another, focusing on her detective work with Robin.
