News | Entertainment
1 Mar 2026 12:00
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Natalia Dyer thought she'd "bombed" her 'Stranger Things' auditions

    The 27-year-old actress portrays Nancy Wheeler in the Netflix drama series but landing the role took her by surprise because she was convinced she'd messed up her try-out


    She said: "I auditioned twice for the role. I thought I bombed the initial audition, but then I got the callback, and I thought I bombed that as well."

    Natalia admitted she and her co-stars had no idea how big the show would be or that it would still be going today.

    She said: "At the time, Netflix wasn't what it is today. They had some really cool shows such as 'Orange Is The New Black' and 'House Of Cards', but I really wasn't aware there was a possibility of a second season. The energy was like, 'I hope people like it. We like it. We think this is cool.' " And the huge "overnight" success of the show brought the cast, including the likes of Millie Bobby Brown and Joe Keery, together.

    She said: "It's a bond that is hard to describe. We were all very excited and we hadn't done anything like it before. So to have it become so big, literally overnight, was a very specific experience. It really tied us all together."

    And Natalie feels very "protective" of her younger co-stars because she knows she couldn't have coped with the scrutiny the likes of Finn Wolfhard have at such a young age.

    She told Cosmopolitan: "Every time I see Finn, it's like, 'You're so tall! Are you taller?' There's an inherent sense of protectiveness there.

    " I'm always impressed by them; by how they carry themselves and how aware they are of the pressures. But it's nerve-racking and I don't envy them at all. I would've been a complete mess if I'd gone through that at their ages. It really is a lot."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     28 Feb: Justin Trudeau's son approves of his romance with Katy Perry
     28 Feb: Lupita Nyong'o has "over 50" uterine fibroids
     28 Feb: Hilary Duff has admitted she "intentionally" gatecrashed the premiere of her "childhood nemesis" Lindsay Lohan's movie Freaky Friday
     28 Feb: Christian Bale appears to have confirmed he will join the cast of Heat 2
     28 Feb: Barbra Streisand has paid tribute to Jennifer Aniston following the actress' recent birthday and her growing relationship with Jim Curtis
     27 Feb: Drew Barrymore travels down "memory lane" when looking at pictures of herself from her 1990s heyday
     27 Feb: Cruz Beckham's 21st birthday celebrations have gone on for a week
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Coach Rob Penney believes the Crusaders' 43-33 Super Rugby win over the Chiefs in Hamilton will do their confidence the world of good More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    It's been revealed UK supermarket giant Tesco, declined the Finance Minister's invitation for a meeting to discuss the issues in our grocery sector More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Israel and US attack Iran live updates: Khamenei's death brings 'justice for the people of Iran', Trump says 11:47

    International:
    Israel and US attack Iran, sparking retaliatory strikes. Here's what we know 11:47

    Law and Order:
    Seventh narco sub discovered in the Pacific as Australia's cocaine habit drives heavy traffic 11:17

    Politics:
    How young people experience school plays a critical role in their mental health 11:07

    Soccer:
    Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is disappointed the Leeds football crowd didn't show respect for religious beliefs during City's 1-nil Premier League win at Elland Road 10:47

    Health & Safety:
    A call for an endometriosis action plan in New Zealand 10:47

    Politics:
    New Zealanders are being asked to join the challenge to raise funds to help families with sick children 10:27

    Rugby League:
    The North Queensland Cowboys have been told to rein in their penalty count if they want to be successful in the new NRL season 10:27

    Health & Safety:
    Improvements to rural emergency medication access and HIV treatment dispensing is kicking into gear from today 10:17

    Politics:
    Women trafficked, kids taught to shoot in PNG's tribal warfare industry 10:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd