Chase Stokes Survived a Health Crisis for ‘Outer Banks’ Final Season
Chase Stokes Says Goodbye to ‘Outer Banks’ and Hello to Himself: A Journey From Pandemic Bubble to Health Crisis and New Beginnings
The Big Picture: It’s Not How You Start, It’s How You Land
"It’s not how the plane takes off, it’s how you land it."
— Chase Stokes, reflecting on his 5-year journey with Outer Banks
Imagine working on a secret project in a bubble for years. Then suddenly, the world sees it and goes crazy—but you had no idea it was happening. That’s exactly what happened to Chase Stokes, the 33-year-old star of Netflix’s hit show Outer Banks.
As the show wraps up its fifth and final season, Chase is opening up about the wild ride: from filming in a pandemic bubble to a scary health crisis, and finally finding his way back to himself.
Section 1: The "Test Dummies" of Hollywood
Filming During Peak Pandemic
When Outer Banks premiered in 2020, the world was shut down. The cast and crew were one of the very first Netflix productions to return to set.
What that looked like:
- Three COVID tests every single day
- Wearing masks between takes
- Freezing in winter clothes while pretending it’s hot summer in the Outer Banks
- No going out, no parties, no red carpets—just work and isolation
Chase jokes: "We were the ‘test dummies’ for returning to set."
While stars of other hit shows were at Paris Fashion Week, the Outer Banks cast drove around in their cars on Friday nights, watching normal people live normal lives.
Section 2: The Moment They Realized They Were Famous
3,000 Fans in Charleston
The cast didn’t feel famous—until the world reopened.
The wake-up call: While filming Season 2 in downtown Charleston, 3,000 fans showed up to watch them shoot.
Chase recalls: "You have hundreds of people across the way screaming while you’re in the middle of a take. The Charleston Police Department had to come out for crowd control."
The TMZ Tour Bus Incident
Back in LA, reality hit hard:
"I’m taking my dog for a walk… he’s taking a sht on the side of the street and a TMZ tour bus is stopped next to me taking photos."*
No guidebook existed. Other young actors started asking Chase for advice on handling sudden fame. His honest answer?
"There isn’t really an idiot’s guide of how to navigate success in this space."
Section 3: The "Pigeonhole" Problem
Stuck as the "YA Guy"
Even though Outer Banks was a massive global hit (billions of views, 5 years on Netflix’s top charts), Chase felt trapped.
"I still to this day feel very pigeonholed."
He watches actors from shows like Euphoria, Heated Rivalry, and Off Campus jump to different roles quickly. For Outer Banks, the show’s massive scale and global locations meant longer gaps between seasons—making it harder to pivot.
Chase’s mindset shift: "This is a cool opportunity to change the perception of who I am as an artist. I’m not just the YA guy with the floppy beach hair and the stoner boat show. I’m capable of playing a character that’s troubled."
Section 4: The Quarter-Life Crisis & Health Scare
"I’ve Been John B More Than I’ve Been Chase"
At 33, playing a 19-20 year old for 5 years took its toll. Chase hit a wall.
He calls it a "late quarter-life crisis." He needed to answer: Who am I without this show?
The Scary Medical Reality
Chase didn’t just feel tired—his body was shutting down.
| Health Issue | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Liver | Was failing |
| Kidney | Was failing |
| Brain | "All out of whack" |
| Testosterone | "Alarmingly low" for a man his age |
"I had so much sht wrong… It was a really important time for me to get my bearings right versus just go back into work and mask it."*
The Recovery Plan
Chase paused his career to heal:
- Blood tests every other week
- TMS Therapy (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas)
- Internal medicine doctor supervision
- Deep, intensive therapy work
- Went off the grid completely
"Hindsight is 2020, but I probably wouldn’t have been around much longer if I didn’t take care of my body."
Section 5: Wisdom From a Pro
The Joshua Jackson Conversation
Before moving forward, Chase sought advice from Joshua Jackson (Dawson’s Creek alum—who knows a thing or two about outgrowing a teen idol role).
"It was a really calming and peaceful conversation to know that it is a blessing to be known as this character."
Section 6: What’s Next? New Adventures Await
Two Big Projects on the Horizon
| Project | Role | Why It’s Different |
|---|---|---|
| I Told the Sunset About You | Director (debut!) | First time behind the camera |
| Thunder Road (AMC) | Lead Actor | NASCAR racing series—totally new world |
Chase on Thunder Road: "I forced myself down the throats of the showrunners and made them have lunch with me." He even shows off a video of himself driving 150 mph on a track!
The Fear Factor
"I’m terrified. I’m truly terrified because I’ve had this safe space of Outer Banks, and now I’m going into an entirely different world."
But he’s also excited—he gets to see full scripts upfront, have 3-hour character talks with showrunners, and build something from the ground up.
Section 7: Gratitude for the Journey
The Show That Gave People Hope
Despite the struggles, Chase is deeply proud:
"I truly never in a million years thought I’d be part of something with this impact. I’m so grateful I was part of something that gave people hope in a very confusing time in human history."
The show didn’t "round the edges"—it hit hard topics head-on. And that’s how Chase tackles life, too.
Key Takeaways (Callout Box)
What We Can Learn From Chase’s Story
- Success doesn’t always feel like success — especially when it happens in isolation
- Your body keeps score — ignoring health for "momentum" can be dangerous
- There’s no manual for fame — everyone’s figuring it out as they go
- It’s okay to pause — taking time to heal isn’t quitting, it’s surviving
- Identity > Role — you are not the character you play
- Gratitude and growth can coexist — you can love your past while leaving it behind
Summary
Chase Stokes’ Outer Banks journey was anything but typical. The show launched during a global pandemic, trapping the cast in a work bubble while the world fell in love with them from afar. When fame finally hit in person, it was overwhelming—3,000 fans at a shoot, TMZ buses on dog walks, zero guidebook.
The real crisis came after: Chase lost himself in the role. At 33, he’d been "John B" longer than he’d been "Chase." His body rebelled—liver, kidney, hormones, brain all screaming for help. He chose healing over hustle, stepping away for intensive therapy, medical treatment, and self-discovery.
Now, healthier and grounded, he’s stepping into terrifying new territory: directing his first film and leading a NASCAR drama. He’s scared—but for the first time in a long time, he feels great.
"I feel great for the first time in a long time."
— Chase Stokes, ready for the next chapter
FAQ
Q: Why didn’t the Outer Banks cast realize they were famous during the pandemic?
A: They filmed in strict isolation—3 COVID tests daily, masks, no public events. The show blew up online, but they couldn’t go anywhere to experience it. The first real taste of fame came when 3,000 fans showed up to watch them film in Charleston after restrictions lifted.
Q: What health issues did Chase Stokes face?
A: His liver and kidney were failing, his testosterone was alarmingly low, and his brain function was impaired. He attributes this to years of maintaining a 27-year-old’s physique at 33, extreme stress, and no time for self-care.
Q: What is TMS therapy?
A: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—a non-invasive treatment using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It’s often used for depression and other neurological conditions when other treatments haven’t worked.
Q: Is Chase Stokes done acting after Outer Banks?
A: Not at all! He’s starring in AMC’s upcoming NASCAR series Thunder Road and making his directorial debut with I Told the Sunset About You. He’s actively seeking challenging, non-YA roles.
Q: What advice did Joshua Jackson give Chase?
A: Joshua Jackson (who played Pacey on Dawson’s Creek) reminded Chase that being known for a beloved character is a blessing, not a trap. It helped Chase reframe his Outer Banks legacy with gratitude instead of frustration.