Stranger Things’ Charlie Heaton embraces Cardiff’s charm ahead of new role

Charlie Heaton, widely recognized for his portrayal of Jonathan Byers in Netflix’s global phenomenon Stranger Things, has been seen soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of Cardiff as he prepares for his next major television role.
Locals at the Robin Hood pub in Pontcanna shared that Heaton was “getting on well with locals,” happily posing for photos with fans and later dining at Ember, a popular eatery just across the street.
The actor, who rose to fame in 2016 alongside Winona Ryder and Millie Bobby Brown, has just wrapped filming the final season of Stranger Things, which is set to premiere later this year after Netflix officially concluded production in December 2024.
Heaton’s visit to Wales coincides with his casting in the upcoming fourth season of HBO’s Industry, a critically acclaimed drama that delves into the high-pressure world of international finance and is produced by Cardiff-based Bad Wolf Studios, the force behind hits like Doctor Who and His Dark Materials.
Joining Heaton in the new season are Kal Penn, known for Harold and Kumar and Designated Survivor, Claire Forlani from Meet Joe Black, Kiernan Shipka of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Ted Lasso’s Toheeb Jimoh, and Jack Farthing from Rain Dogs, alongside returning star Kit Harington of Game of Thrones fame.
Heaton is set to play Jim Dycker, a finance journalist, while Penn takes on the role of Jay Jonah Atterbury, CEO and co-founder of a pivotal payment processing company, and Forlani appears as a formidable figure in corporate public relations.
The excitement in Cardiff has grown as more Stranger Things alumni make their way to the city, with Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington, scheduled to perform with his band Djo as the support act for Noah Kahan in June.
As Industry gears up to begin filming its eight-episode fourth season in the UK, the series continues to attract international attention for its sharp depiction of the financial sector’s challenges and excesses, and for its ability to assemble a diverse and high-profile cast.
Charlie Heaton’s journey from a council estate in Yorkshire to international stardom and now to the heart of Cardiff’s creative scene underscores the city’s growing reputation as a hub for major television productions and star-studded casts.