It's crazy to think these teens had a different life before they were running all around North Carolina looking for hidden treasure. Outer Banks premiered on Netflix, which has yet to officially renew the show for a third season. With the massive success that came from the first two seasons, it seems like a no-brainer for the streaming service to give them another go. The show follows the lives of John B. Routledge, the ringleader of the Pogues, and his love interest Sarah Cameron, who is the daughter of Ward Cameron and a Kook-turned Pogue. John B's best friends, Kie, Pope, and JJ are as loyal as they come and down for anything involving a little danger.
This show depicts the meaning of friendship and how far they will go to protect the people they love. Outer Banks gives fans their O.C. fix with a twist of mystery. The cast works so well together that it's hard to imagine anyone else playing their characters. Let's take a look at where this cast of good-looking kooks and pogues originally came from!
7 Chase Stokes Was Living Out Of His Car
Chase Stokes was homeless and living out of his car before he landed the role on this hit drama. Stokes was just a boy trying to make ends meet and the fans couldn't be more relieved he became our beloved John B. The actor was ready to give up on his dream after endless amounts of bartending gigs... until he got the call for Outer Banks!
"And that's how I started the journey. I had two pairs of underwear, three t-shirts, and a pair of shorts," Stokes said.
6 Madelyn Cline Guest-Starred On 'Stranger Things'
Madelyn Cline made a few series appearances before she became one of our favorite Netflix actresses. Cline made a cameo in Stranger Things and has also been in the series The Originals, Day by Day, and Maid to Order. In 2018, she starred in the film Boy Erased alongside Nicole Kidman and Joel Edgerton.
Madelyn became known for her off-screen romance with leading man Chase Stokes. The pair dated for over a year and recently announced their breakup this October. It will be interesting to see how their relationship on the show will be moving forward.
In 2022, Madelyn is set to appear in Knives Out 2 alongside the ensemble cast of Daniel Craig, Kate Hudson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Edward Norton, Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Janelle Monáe, and Jessica Henwick.
5 Rudy Pankow Worked At The Cheesecake Factory
It's impossible to imagine Rudy Pankow working at The Cheesecake Factory before he was our reckless-yet-lovable hothead, JJ. Pankow did have a small role in Netflix's The Politician before he officially retired from washing dishes. Rudy Pankow was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska and somehow made his way to the Outer Banks!
4 Madison Bailey Was In 'Black Lightning'
Madison Bailey has been acting professionally since 2015 but she didn't get her big break until she starred in Outer Banks. She was born in North Carolina but she moved to L.A. to pursue acting. She plays Kiara (or "Kie") who is best friends with the Pogues even though she is technically a Kook. Before she became Kie, she starred in Black Lightning on The CW as Wendy Hernandez. Thankfully, that did not last long and she was scouted for her role as Kiara Carrera.
3 Jonathan Daviss Appeared In 'Edge Of The World'
Before he was Pope Heyward in Outer Banks, Jonathan Daviss was in ABC’s Revolution as well as Baselines. Jonathan also appeared in the films, Edge Of The World, Age of Summer, and Shattered Memories. Pope is one of the Pogues and is basically the brains of the operation. He had an on-screen romance with Madison Bailey's character, Kie, so fans will have to wait and see how that all plays out.
Jonathan is set to appear in Netflix’s Strangers movie, alongside Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, Rish Shah, Sophie Turner, and Austin Abrams.
2 Carlacia Grant Was In 'Roots'
Carlacia Grant is a new addition to the Outer Banks family after appearing in the second season. Grant plays the role of Cleo who ends up saving John B and the rest of the gang's lives. She is a Nassau native who crosses paths with John B and Sarah Cameron on multiple occasions during their escape to the Bahamas.
Carlacia Grant is best known for her roles as Irene in History Channel’s Roots, Danielle Turner in Greenleaf, and Leesha in Game of Silence.
1 Drew Starkey Was On 'Ozark'
Drew Starkey plays the villainous character that is Sarah Cameron's older brother Rafe. After originally auditioning for John B, the casting directors knew Starkey would be a perfect fit for Rafe Cameron.
Drew said, “I had auditioned for John B. I put it on tape and sent it in. Casting saw it and they were like, “He’s terrible for this part. He’s not it at all. But we have this other role that we think he might be right for.”
Prior to his role on Outer Banks, the actor appeared in multiple movies, short films and TV shows including Mercy Street, Ozark, Brockmire, Good Behaviour, Doom Patrol, Queen Sugar, and Scream: Ressurection. Starkey also landed roles in American Animals; Love, Simon; The Hate U Give; and The Devil All the Time.
