Chase Stokes Reveals He Saved His “Outer Banks ”Costar Madison Bailey from Drowning on Set: ‘She Was Not Able to Breathe’

Chase Stokes, the star of the popular Netflix series *Outer Banks*, recently recounted a dramatic incident involving co-star Madison Bailey, which occurred while filming in Barbados. During a light-hearted interview with *Entertainment Weekly*, Stokes revealed that he made a quick decision to jump into the water to rescue Bailey when he realised that she was struggling to breathe.

While discussing various moments from their time on set, the pair took part in a game called “Lie v. Lie,” where they attempted to discern the truth behind each other’s statements. Stokes shared that despite finding underwater scenes challenging, Bailey confidently described him as a “fish” in the water, arguing that the scenes were more difficult for her.

The sequence that sparked the near-drowning incident showed Rudy Pankow’s character, JJ, being knocked unconscious while in the water, with Bailey’s character, Kiara, struggling to support him. Stokes explained that he became concerned when he noticed Bailey’s face was no longer visible. “We’d already been treading water for like a minute,” he recalled. Realising that Bailey was in distress, he jumped off the boat and discovered she was unable to keep her head above water.

On the day of the incident, Bailey remarked that she couldn’t swim towards the boat, providing Stokes with little choice but to act. “Everyone thought it was like, ‘Oh, wow, they’re in the scene. This is great,’” he laughed, adding that he felt it was a serious situation rather than just part of the acting. Meanwhile, Bailey jokingly recognised the concern from their crew, noting that onlookers believed her performance was particularly impressive.

The duo’s banter continued as they recalled the aforementioned incident. Bailey jested that Stokes, who was swimming effortlessly, seemed to be intentionally trying to outshine her. “You actually make a bad day worse,” she teased, highlighting the humorous yet serious nature of the situation.

Stokes’ reflections on the series come at a time when *Outer Banks* is approaching its conclusion, having recently premiered its fifth season. In a previous interview with *PEOPLE*, he expressed a mix of nostalgia and relief regarding the show’s ending, describing it as having evolved from “a little tiny boat show” into a cultural phenomenon. Stokes indicated that the cast is grateful for the experience and is keen to conclude the story thoughtfully rather than prolonging it unnecessarily.

As the series wraps up, Stokes conveyed the importance of tying up loose ends rather than risking the narrative quality by extending the show into less credible territory. “We want to cut the cord before we lose the plot,” he advised, making it clear that maintaining the integrity of the story was a priority for him and his fellow cast members.

Recalling his early days in the industry, Stokes opened up about his audition experience and a conversation he had with one of the show’s co-creators, Jonas Pate. Confessing that he had felt discouraged after what he perceived to be a failed audition, he disclosed that Pate provided pivotal encouragement in the face of his doubts. “There’s just so much gratitude,” Stokes reflected, appreciating his journey from an aspiring actor with little knowledge of the industry to a successful star.

The bonds forged on set have transformed Stokes’s colleagues into family. He expressed deep appreciation for the experiences shared with the cast and crew throughout their journey together.

As *Outer Banks* continues to captivate audiences, fans can now catch the latest season on Netflix, while Stokes and Bailey remain grateful for the memorable moments they’ve shared—from the exhilarating highs to the unexpected challenges that have come their way. The dynamic between the two actors, marked by camaraderie and humour, adds another layer to the show’s appeal as it approaches its conclusion.