‘Outer Banks’ Cast: Catch Up With the Kooks and the Pogues!

Outer Banks premiered on Netflix in 2020, and quickly became a sensation among audiences worldwide due to its gripping storyline, breathtaking scenery and talented ensemble cast. The show's creators, Josh Pate, Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke, infused Outer Banks with a perfect blend of mystery, suspense and coming-of-age drama, drawing inspiration from classic adventure tales like The Goonies.

The story revolves around a group of friends embarking on a dangerous quest for treasure while navigating the complexities of adolescence and social hierarchy. With its picturesque setting, compelling characters, and pulse-pounding plot twists, Outer Banks quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim, solidifying its place as a must-watch series on Netflix.

Here we look at the Outer Banks cast.

Chase Stokes as John B Routledge in the Outer Banks cast

Born in 1992, in Annapolis, Maryland, the charismatic and handsome Chase Stokes plays the role of John B Routledge in the Outer Banks cast. Prior to the show, Stokes began his acting career with minor roles in television series like Stranger Things, Daytime Divas, The First, and Tell Me Your Secrets. He also appeared in a few movies including the role of young Dale in Between Waves (2018) and Martin in Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets (2021).

His big break came when he landed the role in the Outer Banks cast. Stokes plays the leader of the Pogues crew, John B and told People he’s drawn to his character, “because regardless of the obstacles that he faces, he's willing to take them head-on."

Ironically, he told Jimmy Kimmel Live that he initially passed on the role when he first read it.  Stokes said, "I was like, 'That's The Goonies. That's for sure The Goonies. I don't want to destroy that.' So I passed on it. And I was like, 'Nope. Not doing that.'"

Lucky for us, he reconsidered.

Stokes dated fellow Outer Banks costar Madelyn Cline for more than a year, but they broke up in 2021. He said they have a strong working relationship and are also friends off the set, telling People, “Truth be told, she's an incredible actress. She's a lovely human being. And I'm over the moon and just super proud of the work that we've done over the past three seasons. I'm always going to root for her."

Currently, he’s dating the country singer Kelsea Ballerini.

Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron

Born in 1997, in Goose Creek, South Carolina, Cline started out modeling as a teen. She attended Coastal Carolina University before dropping out and moving to California. She got her acting start in small parts in Stranger Things and The Originals.

Cline’s career took off after landing the part of Sarah in the Outer Banks cast. She then clinched a deal with the clothing brand American Eagle. Next, she was cast in Glass Onion alongside stars like Daniel Craig, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Kate Hudson and Edward Norton.

Cline told Elle of the Outer Banks cast, “We didn’t realize that people would connect with us so much. I try to center myself by doing activities that bring me back down to earth, but the main thing I feel is gratitude.”

She’s very close to her family, who is very proud of her. She told Cosmopolitan, “My dad was like, ‘I just can’t believe at 25, you’ve traveled to more places than every single person in your family combined.’

Cline has 6.8 million followers on TikTok and recently announced on Instagram that she’s a Revlon spokesperson. There were rumors that she wasn’t going to be in Outer Banks after season three, but she’s back and going strong in season four.

Madison Bailey as Kiara Carrera in the Outer Banks cast

Born in 1999, in Kernersville, North Carolina, Madison Bailey got her start with roles in Mr. Mercedes and Constantine, before landing the role of Wendy Hernandez on The CW's Black Lightning in 2018. She then got her part playing Kiara in the Outer Banks cast. Next, she joined the American Horror Stories cast, playing Kelley.

In her personal life, Bailey has been very open about her sexuality and says she's pansexual and has been happily dating girlfriend Mariah Linney since 2020. The two met via TikTok, when Linney was a former University of North Carolina at Charlotte basketball player.

Bailey also told ET that she’s been living with borderline personality disorder, which she was diagnosed with around age 17. She said, “It's not something I know everything about. I'm figuring it out day by day. I got my diagnosis, and that's what I needed: a word to call it other than ‘crazy.’ I started realizing my own triggers.”

Jonathan Daviss as Pope Heyward

Born February 28, 1999, in Conroe, Texas, Jonathan Daviss began his acting career in films such as Deliverance Creek and Edge of the World, before landing his breakout part as Pope on the Outer Banks cast. He has also been involved in other Netflix projects, like Do Revenge where he costarred alongside Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke.

Daviss has over 4 million Instagram followers and is known for his fashion sense. When it comes to his personal style he tells People “I'm definitely more Kook-y than Pope is. I would say I definitely dress from the shoes up. I'm big into sneaker collections, so I love J's and exclusive sneakers. So I start there and try to matchy match from there. I like to do high fashion too and dress up with whatever high fashion brands I can find.”

While he’s private about his personal life, he’s very open about how close he is with his Outer Banks cast, saying, “Not everybody gets to have a bond like that with people they work with. So I'm just happy to be able to say I'm one of those people who are one of the lucky ones."

Rudy Pankow as JJ in the Outer Banks cast

Born August 12, 1998, in Ketchikan, Alaska, Rudy Pankow told Wonderland that his birthplace is pretty similar to that of the Outer Banks.  "Both are fishing, tourism towns. The biggest difference is the temperature. It was fun to be on boats and catch people off guard when they noticed I already knew how to drive a boat and tie it up and be comfortable on the water all day."

Pankow was accepted into culinary school, but decided to go into acting after staying in L.A. with friends and attending an acting class. He made appearances on shows such as The Politician and Solved, before landing his breakout role as JJ on Outer Banks.

He's currently dating Elaine Siemek, who works behind the scenes on the set of Outer Banks.

Austin North as Topper Thornton

Born on in 1996 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Austin North got his acting chops in the Disney XD series Kickin' It in 2011, but he's best known for his role as Logan Watson on the Disney series I Didn't Do It. He also had parts on other shows including Jessie and All Night. However, his biggest break came when he landed the part of Topper on the Outer Banks cast.

He keeps his romantic life private, but he did previously date Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson. He has over 2.6 million followers on Instagram and from the photos he posts, it’s clear he hangs out often with his Outer Bank co-stars.

Drew Starkey as Rafe Cameron in the Outer Banks cast

Born in 1993 in Hickory, North Carolina, Drew Starkey attended Western Carolina University before pursuing a career in acting. He had appearances in several movies including Love, Simon (2018) and The Hate U Give (2018). He appeared in several television shows including Ozark and Dead Silent. However, his breakout role was that of Sarah Cameron's abrasive brother Rafe on Outer Banks.

In addition to Outer Banks, he starred in Hulu's Hellraiser reboot alongside Odessa A'zion and had a recurring role on the Amazon Prime Video series The Terminal List alongside Chris Pratt. He also appeared in the Netflix romantic comedy The Other Zoey alongside Josephine Langford and Archie Renaux.

Carlacia Grant as Cleo

Although of Caribbean descent, Carlacia Grant was born in New Haven, CT. Grant joined the Outer Banks cast in season two and became a series regular in season three.

She told Sheen magazine, “I found a passion for acting when I was 13. Originally, I started doing plays, and then I started doing pageants.” She then started modeling. "My parents, being West Indian, never considered being an actor a real career at first. Finally, my mom caved in after constantly begging her, she agreed to help me do it. We had a lot of challenges along the way but it eventually worked out.

She made her TV debut in 2016 in the History channel's Roots remake. She also appeared in other shows including   Greenleaf and The Resident. However, Outer Banks marks her first starring role. She’s often recognized on the streets. "The fan base is just so intense," Grant told Elle. "Even to get the response Cleo was getting before the show came out...Yeah, it's a really, really, really big job."

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