News | Entertainment
7 Feb 2026 18:41
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
     07 Feb: Jesse Eisenberg is a "daily patron" of the New York Public Library
     07 Feb: Jennifer Garner once bit a portion of a stunt performer's ear off
     07 Feb: Nick Jonas' daughter needed to be resuscitated shortly after she was born
     07 Feb: Catherine, Princess of Wales has shared a heartfelt message to commemorate World Cancer Day (04.02.26)
     07 Feb: Jason Kelce finds it "weird" that Travis Kelce isn't in this year's Super Bowl
     07 Feb: Sherri Shepherd has been "completely overwhelmed" by the show of support after her TV show was axed
     07 Feb: Ben Daniels has insisted a "queer person will never be cast as James Bond"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Returning All Black Jordie Barrett is adamant the Hurricanes are better than their preseason scoreline against the Chiefs may suggest More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Wastewater remediation works are running smoothly in Wellington's Moa Point, following Wednesday's sewerage leak More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Jesse Eisenberg is a "daily patron" of the New York Public Library 18:31

    Business:
    Wastewater remediation works are running smoothly in Wellington's Moa Point, following Wednesday's sewerage leak 18:17

    International:
    Thailand election stakes are high as progressives mount new challenge against establishment 18:17

    Wellington:
    State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt has reopend after being blocked through Kaitoke because of a 3-vehicle crash at the intersection with Waterworks Road 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Garner once bit a portion of a stunt performer's ear off 18:01

    Entertainment:
    Nick Jonas' daughter needed to be resuscitated shortly after she was born 17:31

    Cricket:
    In one-day Ford Trophy men's cricket, Canterbury have beaten Northern Districts by eight wickets 17:27

    Environment:
    Returning All Black Jordie Barrett is adamant the Hurricanes are better than their preseason scoreline against the Chiefs may suggest 17:17

    Entertainment:
    Catherine, Princess of Wales has shared a heartfelt message to commemorate World Cancer Day (04.02.26) 17:01

    Law and Order:
    Armed police have arrested an 18-year-old in Tauranga's Papamoa this afternoon, after allegedly presenting a firearm at another person 16:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd