Chase Stokes Recalls Saving Madison Bailey From Drowning on Outer Banks Set

Chase Stokes revealed that Madison Bailey struggled to breathe while filming an underwater scene in Barbados, prompting him to jump in and help.

Chase Stokes Recalls a Scary Set Incident

August 22, 2026 – Chase Stokes is opening up about a frightening moment he experienced with his Outer Banks costar Madison Bailey while filming the Netflix series. During a recent interview, Stokes recalled realizing that Bailey was in genuine trouble during an underwater scene and jumping in to help her.

The actors discussed the incident while appearing together for Entertainment Weekly’s “Lie vs. Lie” game. What began as a conversation about the challenges of filming underwater scenes eventually turned into a detailed recollection of the moment Stokes realized Bailey was no longer simply performing for the cameras.

Stokes, who plays John B. Routledge, said he noticed that he could no longer see Bailey’s face as she remained underwater. Bailey, who plays Kiara Carrera, later confirmed that she was genuinely struggling and could not make her way back toward the boat.

Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

The Scene Was Filmed in Barbados

The incident happened during filming in Barbados. The scene involved Rudy Pankow’s character, JJ, being knocked off a boat and left unconscious in the water while Kiara attempted to keep him above the surface.

According to Stokes, the actors had already been treading water for a period before the scene was called into action. Underwater filming also made communication difficult, leaving Stokes concerned when he could no longer clearly see Bailey.

Stokes said he realized Bailey had been underwater for too long and jumped from the boat to check on her. Once he reached her, he recognized that she was not able to breathe properly and was in actual distress.

Bailey Was Struggling to Reach the Boat

Madison Bailey explained that she had been having difficulty swimming back toward the boat. She described the situation as a struggle, making clear that what was happening was very different from the action being filmed for the show.

The actress also revealed that she found underwater sequences particularly difficult throughout the series. During the interview, she jokingly contrasted her experience with Stokes’ comfort in the water, describing him as a “fish” while she struggled through those scenes.

Their playful exchange took a more serious turn when Stokes recalled that Bailey had nearly drowned during production.

Crew Members Initially Thought She Was Acting

One of the most unsettling details of the incident was the confusion surrounding Bailey’s distress. Because the actors were already filming a scene in the water, some people on set initially believed what they were seeing was simply a convincing performance.

Stokes said he immediately understood that something was wrong and emphasized that Bailey was not acting. Bailey recalled the irony of the situation, joking that people around her seemed to think she was performing particularly well while she was actually struggling in the water.

The misunderstanding highlights one of the unusual difficulties of filming physically demanding scenes. When a sequence requires actors to appear exhausted, frightened or overwhelmed, genuine distress can potentially resemble part of the performance.

Credit: JACKSON LEE DAVIS/NETFLIX© 2021

Stokes Jumped Into Action

Stokes’ response was immediate once he recognized the situation. He jumped off the boat and went toward Bailey after realizing she could not breathe underwater.

The actor later described the moment plainly: he knew that what was happening was not acting and that Bailey was drowning. His intervention allowed the situation to be addressed before it became more serious.

Neither actor provided a detailed medical account of what happened immediately afterward, and the conversation focused primarily on the frightening experience and the realities of filming underwater.

Underwater Work Was a Major Challenge

The incident also gave both actors an opportunity to discuss the physical demands of Outer Banks. Stokes identified underwater filming as some of the most challenging work he had done during the series’ five seasons.

Bailey agreed that underwater sequences were particularly difficult for her, even though the show frequently requires its characters to swim, dive and navigate dangerous situations.

The contrast between their experiences became part of the interview’s lighter moments. Bailey teased Stokes about making difficult swimming scenes look effortless, while Stokes recalled the much more serious moment when he had to intervene.

The Cast Has Built a Close Bond

The story comes as Outer Banks reaches the conclusion of its five-season run. Stokes has previously spoken about how much the series changed his life, particularly after he joined the project at a point when he was uncertain about his future in the entertainment industry.

He has described the cast and crew as becoming a true family over the years. That bond adds context to his response during the Barbados incident: Bailey was not only his costar but someone he had worked closely with throughout the show’s run.

The two actors were also able to look back on the frightening moment with some humor during their recent interview, reflecting the familiarity that comes from years of working together.

Credit: Netflix

Outer Banks Is Ending After Five Seasons

Stokes and Bailey are currently appearing in the fifth and final season of Outer Banks. All five seasons are now streaming on Netflix, bringing the long-running story of the Pogues and their adventures on Kildare Island to a close.

Stokes has previously said that ending the series after five seasons was the right decision because the cast and creators wanted to finish the story before it became unnecessarily extended. He described the show’s journey from a relatively small project to a global success as something he felt deeply grateful for.

That makes the behind-the-scenes stories from the production particularly meaningful as the cast looks back on the years they spent making the series.

A Frightening Memory From the Final Chapter

The Barbados incident is now one of the more memorable behind-the-scenes stories from Outer Banks, particularly because it involved a real safety issue unfolding in the middle of a fictional sequence.

While the actors can now discuss the moment with some humor, Bailey’s account makes clear that the situation was genuinely frightening. Stokes recognized the warning signs and acted quickly when he realized the performance had become a real emergency.

As the cast says goodbye to Outer Banks, the story offers another reminder of the physical demands that can come with creating the show’s water-heavy action sequences.

Final Thoughts

Chase Stokes’ story about helping Madison Bailey during an underwater scene offers a rare glimpse at the risks actors can face while filming physically demanding sequences. What appeared to be part of the performance briefly became a real emergency when Bailey struggled to breathe and could not make it back to the boat.

The moment ultimately passed safely, and both actors can now reflect on it with some humor. With Outer Banks ending after five seasons, it has also become part of the many behind-the-scenes memories the cast will carry with them from the series.

FAQs

What happened to Madison Bailey while filming Outer Banks?

Bailey struggled to stay afloat and breathe during an underwater scene filmed in Barbados. Chase Stokes noticed she was in genuine distress and went into the water to help her.

Why did Chase Stokes jump into the water?

Stokes realized he could no longer see Bailey’s face and became concerned that she had been underwater too long. He discovered that she was struggling to breathe and was not simply acting.

Where was the scene filmed?

The incident occurred during filming in Barbados. The scene involved Kiara holding up an unconscious JJ in the water.

Did the crew realize Madison Bailey was actually struggling?

Some crew members initially believed Bailey’s distress was part of the performance. Stokes recognized that she was genuinely in trouble and intervened.

Is Outer Banks ending after Season 5?

Yes. Season 5 is the show’s final season, and all five seasons are currently streaming on Netflix.