Madison Bailey Nearly Drowned Filming ‘Outer Banks’ and Was Saved by Co-Star
Behind-the-scenes stories from beloved shows resonate differently once a series concludes, giving fans insight into the effort that went into creating their favorite moments. As ‘Outer Banks’ approaches its final chapter, cast members have begun sharing experiences that never made it to the screen.
Chase Stokes and Madison Bailey have spent five seasons developing one of Netflix’s most recognizable on-screen friend groups, portraying John B and Kiara in the show’s close-knit setting. Their real-life friendship often reflects this closeness, but a recent joint interview revealed just how deep that connection ran during production.
While reminiscing about their filming experiences, Stokes recounted a terrifying moment when he had to save Bailey during an underwater scene shot in Barbados, which nearly turned into a real emergency. The scene required Bailey’s character, Kiara, to keep JJ Maybank, played by Rudy Pankow, above water after he was knocked unconscious off a boat.
During a “Lie v. Lie” segment with Entertainment Weekly, Stokes recalled the moment things took a turn. “We were in Barbados, and there’s a scene when JJ gets knocked off of a boat, and he’s unconscious in the water and Kiara’s holding him up,” he said, explaining that he suddenly realized he could no longer see Bailey’s face beneath the surface.
What followed was a genuinely frightening chain of events. Stokes jumped off the boat to check on Bailey, only to discover she wasn’t acting for the camera; she was actually struggling to breathe. Communication underwater proved challenging, making it harder for him to grasp the seriousness of the situation immediately.
Bailey later confirmed the danger was very real. “I was drowning,” she said, laughing as she noted that everyone on set initially thought she was simply delivering a convincing performance. Stokes echoed that irony, joking that crew members believed he was just an unusually dedicated actor for leaving the boat in the middle of the ocean to “stay in character.”
This kind of mix-up highlights the physical demands of underwater filming, especially on a show known for its ocean-heavy stunts and action sequences. Bailey has openly admitted that underwater work has consistently been the most challenging aspect of filming ‘Outer Banks’ for her, often joking about how effortlessly Stokes seems to swim in comparison.
The timing of this story adds an extra layer of poignancy, as Season 5 marks the end of the road for the Pogues. Following JJ’s death in the Season 4 finale, the remaining group, including John B, Kiara, Pope, and Cleo, embarks on one last adventure together, with Kiara continuing to process the loss of her love interest throughout the season.
By the series’ conclusion, John B and his love interest, Sarah, find their resolution, ultimately settling down, getting married, and starting a family. This emotional journey mirrors the real-life bond between cast members like Stokes and Bailey, whose off-screen friendship has often been described as feeling like family.
Stories like this serve as a reminder that stunt work, even in a coming-of-age drama focused more on chemistry than spectacle, carries genuine physical risks. It’s a testament to the trust built among castmates over five seasons that Stokes was able to recognize something was wrong and act swiftly enough to prevent the situation from escalating.
As ‘Outer Banks’ prepares to bid farewell to its Pogues, moments like this near-drowning incident add significant weight to the experiences the cast has shared, both on-screen and off.
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