Chase Stokes Rescues Madison Bailey: A Heart-Pounding Moment on the Set of Outer Banks

In the world of Hollywood, where the line between reality and fiction often blurs, sometimes the stakes can become alarmingly real.

Such was the case during the filming of the hit Netflix series Outer Banks, when a dramatic underwater scene turned into a life-threatening situation for one of its stars.

Chase Stokes, known for his role as John B. Routledge, found himself in a position that no actor ever expects: rescuing a co-star from drowning.

This harrowing incident took place in the picturesque waters of Barbados, where the cast was filming their fifth and final season.

As the cameras rolled, Stokes recalled a scene where his character’s friend, JJ, played by Rudy Pankow, is knocked off a boat and rendered unconscious.

In a twist of fate, it was not just the character in peril; Stokes realized that his co-star, Madison Bailey, who portrays Kiara “Kie” Carrera, was also in distress.

Bailey had been treading water for what felt like an eternity, and as Stokes looked around, he noticed that he could no longer see her face above the waves.

The moment was tense.

“I realized that I couldn’t see Bails’ face anymore,” Stokes recounted in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

Bailey, who was struggling to stay afloat, later explained that she and Pankow had been in the water for about a minute before the director called action.

“It was really hard to communicate,” Stokes said, reflecting on the chaos of the moment.

“I was like, ‘Oh no, Bails has been under there for a while.’ So I jumped off the boat.”

As he dove into the water, the gravity of the situation became clear.

Bailey was not just acting; she was genuinely unable to breathe underwater.

While crew members on set mistakenly believed that the actors were simply immersed in their roles, Stokes was acutely aware of the danger.

“Everyone thought it was like, ‘Oh, wow, they’re in the scene. This is great,’” he explained.

“I was like, ‘No, she’s drowning.’ I was like, ‘Hey, that’s not acting!’”

Bailey, adding a touch of humor to the dire situation, joked, “Everyone’s like, ‘Wow, she’s really good!’”

Despite the seriousness of the moment, the camaraderie between the two actors shone through.

Bailey admitted that filming the underwater scenes was the most challenging part of her experience on Outer Banks.

In contrast, she described Stokes as a “fish,” effortlessly navigating the water while she struggled to keep her head above the surface.

“You actually make a bad day worse,” she teased him.

“When I’m struggling to barely swim, Chase is like [fake swims]. I swear he’s breathing under there just to make me look bad.”

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise during filming, particularly in adventurous and action-packed scenes.

As fans of Outer Banks gear up for the show’s conclusion, they are left to ponder the many behind-the-scenes stories that have unfolded over the years.

Stokes reflected on the overall experience, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work on a show that has meant so much to him and his co-stars.

“There’s just so much gratitude,” he shared after filming wrapped in December 2025.

“I’ve checked so many boxes that I thought it would span the course of the next 40 years of my career.”

The bond between the cast members extends beyond the screen, as they navigated the ups and downs of filming together.

During the first season, they lived in close quarters in Charleston, South Carolina, fostering a sense of family among the cast.

Stokes revealed that he shared an apartment with Rudy Pankow, while Jonathan Daviss and Austin North lived just a few doors down.

Madison Bailey, on the other hand, resided nearby, making it easy for the group to come together on weekends for games and music.

“It was kind of this natural organic thing for everybody,” Stokes reminisced about their time together.

The chemistry that developed off-screen translated into their performances, making the show’s moments feel authentic and relatable.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

Stokes nearly turned down the role of John B, fearing that he would ruin what he perceived as a modern-day version of The Goonies.

“I was like, ‘That’s The Goonies. That’s for sure The Goonies. I don’t want to destroy that,’” he admitted.

After initially passing on the role and auditioning for Topper instead, he quickly realized his mistake.

“Two weeks later, I read for John B again,” he recalled.

“I immediately was sitting in my borderline-evicted apartment and I was like, ‘I made a giant mistake. It’s not The Goonies. It’s literally not The Goonies.’”

His persistence paid off, and the rest is history.

The show has garnered a dedicated fan base, and as it approaches its conclusion, the cast has been reflecting on their time together.

In a surprising twist, the production faced real-life challenges when Hurricane Dorian threatened their filming schedule.

The cast and crew were forced to evacuate Charleston, but the experience only brought them closer together.

“We dipped,” Bailey said, recalling their escape to Asheville, North Carolina.

The camaraderie was further exemplified in memorable moments, such as the iconic kiss between John B and Sarah, played by Madelyn Cline.

The scene, which took place in the rain, almost didn’t happen due to the weather conditions.

Cline shared that the director considered wrapping filming for the day, but the actors took matters into their own hands.

“[We] looked at each other,” she recalled.

“We were all like, ‘Let’s do it. We gotta do this. This is amazing, this is kismet right now, that is so romantic.’”

Their determination paid off, resulting in one of the most memorable moments of the series.

However, not all moments were filled with laughter.

Stokes and Cline’s off-screen romance blossomed during filming, but the couple eventually parted ways in November 2021.

Despite their breakup, they remained committed to their work, making a pact to prioritize the show above all else.

“We made a promise to each other before we even started dating that the work was always going to come first,” Stokes explained.

“No matter what happens in our personal lives, and the ways that life sometimes takes you in different directions, that we’re always going to honor the work.”

The bond between the cast members has been tested, but they continue to support one another on and off the screen.

In a lighter moment, Cline recounted an unexpected encounter with a rat on set, which left her in a panic.

“Co-creator Jonas Pate was like to our rat wrangler, ‘Drop it on her head!’” Cline shared.

“I was neck deep in water, so I was already freaking out. I looked like an island to the rat who’s trying to save itself from drowning, as am I.”

The rat crawled up into her hair, prompting a hilarious yet terrifying reaction from the actress.

As the series comes to a close, the cast is left with bittersweet memories, including the emotional farewell to Charles “Chip” Esten, who played Sarah’s father.

After filming his character’s death scene, the cast found themselves in tears, mourning the loss of a figure who had become a father figure to many.

“It was such a long ride back to the hotel, and Chip was just giving us all advice,” Carlacia Grant, who plays Cleo, shared.

The journey of Outer Banks has been filled with highs and lows, both on-screen and off.

As fans prepare to bid farewell to the Pogues, the cast reflects on the friendships and experiences that have shaped their time together.

In a world where drama often unfolds both in front of and behind the camera, the story of Chase Stokes saving Madison Bailey serves as a powerful reminder of the bonds formed in the face of adversity.

As the series wraps up, viewers are left with a sense of nostalgia for the moments that made Outer Banks a beloved show.

The journey of these characters may be coming to an end, but the memories created will last a lifetime.

With gratitude for the experiences shared and the friendships forged, the cast of Outer Banks prepares to say goodbye, leaving behind a legacy that will resonate with fans for years to come.

Disclaimer: This content may be created by Al for entertainment purposes. Any resemblance to real persons, events, or places is coincidental.