Charlie Heaton Embarks on New Chapter After Stranger Things Finale
From Hawkins to New Horizons
Charlie Heaton, the British actor best known for his role as Jonathan Byers in Netflix’s cultural phenomenon Stranger Things, is entering an exciting new phase of his career in 2025. The final season of Stranger Things, its fifth, was released in 2025, marking the end of a nearly decade-long journey that transformed the 31-year-old from an unknown musician into a globally recognized actor.
The emotional weight of saying goodbye to the series wasn’t lost on Heaton. Filming for season five took an entire year, from January to December 2024, and Heaton described it as feeling “like a loss – like mourning a death”. Despite the bittersweet farewell, the actor has wasted no time diving into new projects that showcase his range and ambition.
Exciting New Ventures
In his first role post-Stranger Things, Heaton starred opposite Al Pacino in Billy Knight, directed by Alec Griffen Roth. This high-profile collaboration demonstrates the actor’s growing status in the industry.
Even more ambitious is Heaton’s commitment to Netflix beyond Stranger Things. Heaton has joined Jesse McKeown’s untitled limited series at the streamer alongside Josh Hartnett and Mackenzie Davis. The 6-episode project follows a hard-bitten fisherman who must fight to protect his family, his community, and his vanishing way of life when a mysterious sea creature terrorizes a remote Newfoundland town. Filming began on July 2, 2025, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and is currently scheduled to wrap by October 12, 2025.
Additionally, Charlie Heaton and Mia Wasikowska are set to star in romantic comedy ‘Twice Over’, further demonstrating his versatility as a performer.
Personal Life and Future Prospects
Heaton recently made rare comments about becoming a dad at 20 years old, as he shares 11-year-old son Archie with ex bandmate Akiko Matsuura. The actor has also been in a long-term relationship with Stranger Things co-star Natalia Dyer since 2016, a partnership he describes as precious.
As Charlie Heaton transitions from his breakout role to diverse new opportunities, his trajectory suggests a promising career ahead. For fans who watched him grow alongside Jonathan Byers, these new projects offer fresh perspectives on an actor whose journey from punk-rock drummer to acclaimed performer continues to captivate audiences worldwide.