The Real-Life Partners Of Stranger Things' Leading Ladies

From Jopper to Mileven, fans are deeply invested in the love stories that have unfolded over four — and one forthcoming — seasons of "Stranger Things." There are the canon ships, with fans rooting for the love story between Winona Ryder's Joyce and David Harbour's Hopper to work out, and the more speculative head canon ships like Joe Keery's Steve with Dacre Montgomery's Billy. In part, it's a testament to the emotionally powerful writing and acting that have driven the franchise. "I think everybody loves hopper and Joyce together," wrote one Reddit commenter. "They're one of the only characters who have the deepest history together. You see how they change from season 1 to season 4. They go through everything together."

But the personal love lives of the "Stranger Things" cast are pretty storybook, too. From Ryder's private longtime partnership to Millie Bobby Brown's glamorous Tuscany wedding, the female stars of "Stranger Things" have found all kinds of happy relationships.

Winona Ryder has had wildly public romances with A-listers like Johnny Depp and Matt Damon, but the '90s icon keeps her love life a bit more private these days. She's been linked to fashion designer and Loomstate founder Scott Mackinley Hahn since 2011 — a relationship she debuted publicly at the premiere for "Stranger Things." After a multi-year hiatus from the spotlight, Ryder catapulted back onto the A-list for her portrayal of the harried single mother, Joyce Byars, on the Netflix series. But despite her return to the industry, she's happiest in a relationship with someone who doesn't share her profession.

In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Ryder revealed that she considers Hahn's separation from the intensity of Hollywood industry to be a positive. "We have so much in common," Ryder explained. "We connected on so many levels. But it was amazing that he's not in this business." Hahn has since supported Ryder at subsequent "Stranger Things" events, as well as the premiere of "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice." Still, this long-time couple seems unlikely to tie the knot. "I'd rather never have been married than been divorced a few times," she confessed to US Weekly in 2016.

Actress Natalia Dyer's "Stranger Things" character has been caught in a multi-season love triangle between Steve, played by actor Joe Keery, and Jonathan, played by Charlie Heaton. But, in real life, Dyer's allegiances are far more clear cut — she's been in a relationship with Heaton for roughly a decade. The two met while filming the Netflix series' first season and took their relationship public with a red carpet appearance in 2017.

Clearly, Dyer's undeniable onscreen chemistry with Heaton, which had fans rooting for the pair to get together, is more than just good acting. "Stranger Things" co-creator Matt Duffer told GQ that the energy between the actors was memorable from auditions. Dyer attributes much of this to an easy playfulness with Heaton — both on and off set. "It's an interesting thing to work with somebody who you go home with," Dyer told Refinery29 in 2019. "It's always really fun. We're really comfortable with each other, so we can play and feel more free, and we can talk about it before." Fans seem delighted that the fictional romance translated into real life. "Love this real life couple things and also the fictional ship," wrote one Reddit commenter. "Rooting hard for Jancy."

Maya Hawke has totally transformed since she burst into Hollywood, joining the "Stranger Things" cast during season three, as the alternately sarcastic and tender Robin. Though her onscreen counterpart is still caught in will-they-won't-they tension with fellow band kid Vicky, Hawke is happily committed in real life. The star brought her boyfriend, musician Christian Lee Hutson, to set while filming the final season of "Stranger Things." The pair have known each other for years and began dating in 2024 after Hutson produced Hawke's album, "chaos angel.

Though there's plenty to consider when attempting to date within your friend group, Hawke emphatically endorses the move. During an appearance on the Zach Song Show, Hawke opened up about transitioning from friendship to romance with Hutson. "I cannot recommend highly enough dating your friends," she said. "It's the best. They know you, they understand that you're a person and a human being... who has feelings and is a living, breathing human not just like a piece of paper to project their image of 'perfect girlfriend' onto."

@zachsangshow

Maya Hawke's boyfriend produced her entire new album Choas Angel #mayahawke #choas #angel #boyfriend #producer #zachsangshow #zachsang #danzolot #fyp #foryou @Zach Sang @Dan Zolot

♬ original sound – Zach Sang Show

It's clear that Hawke lived a real-life friends-to-lovers story, especially since it's clear the actress deeply treasures friendship, especially in light of comments she made about Robin's season 5 plot, expressing hope that the show wouldn't neglect key friendships in favor of Robin's romantic relationship. "That friendship with Steve is so special," she told Variety. "And friendships have been carrying me through my life. I think they're really important and they deserve their airtime."

In 2023, Millie Bobby Brown celebrated her engagement to Jake Bongiovi with an Instagram post that quoted the lyrics from Taylor Swift's song "Lover": "I've loved you three summers now, honey, I want 'em all 🤍." The sweet black-and-white snap captured Brown's stunning style transformation since she first portrayed Eleven in "Stranger Things."

The pair tied the knot in 2024. In a sweet nod to the "Stranger Things" universe, the ceremony was officiated by Matthew Modine, who plays Brown's onscreen father figure. Despite their youth — Jake Bongiovi was 22 at the time of the wedding, and Brown was just 20 — the pair seems well matched. "We talked about our political views, what kind of family we want to build, the kind of home we want to live in, the kind of relationship we're looking for, the kind of careers we want," Brown told Elle in 2025. "It's such an important decision, and we wanted to make sure we were making the right one. I knew I was. It always felt right with him."

Brown's father-in-law, pop star Jon Bongiovi, who married his high school sweetheart, said he wasn't shocked by their decision. During an appearance on Bunnie XO's podcast "Dumb Blonde," he reflected on his son's marriage to Brown. "We blessed it because we get it, you know?" he said. "They're sorta mature beyond their years. She comes from a family where her parents are still together and they married very young... [she] and Jake fell in love and we just thought, 'OK, we'll support this.' And it's working out" (via Penn Live).