Chase Stokes: From UCF to Outer Banks and Beyond
James Alexander Chase Stokes, born on September 16, 1992, is an American actor and director. He is best known for his role as John B Routledge in the Netflix series Outer Banks. Stokes' journey to stardom is a testament to perseverance, fate, and the pursuit of artistic dreams. His story includes time at the University of Central Florida (UCF).
Early Life and Education
Stokes was born in Annapolis, Maryland, to Jeff Stokes and Jennifer Canning. His parents divorced when he was four years old. Following the divorce, he moved with his mother to Canton, Georgia. As a teenager, Stokes relocated to Orlando, Florida, where he attended Timber Creek High School. This move to Orlando would later prove significant in his career path, connecting him to the area where Outer Banks would eventually draw inspiration.
After high school, Stokes pursued higher education in the Orlando area. He earned a bachelor's degree from Valencia College and subsequently attended the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Seminole State College. During this time, he explored his interests and laid the foundation for his future career.
Chase Stokes surprised fans at the University Of Central Florida. He joined his sister to watch the UCF Knights’ football game against Bethune-Cookman.
Early Career
Stokes began his acting career with small roles in television series. These early experiences provided him with valuable on-set exposure and helped him hone his skills. His early credits include appearances in popular shows such as Stranger Things, Daytime Divas, and Tell Me Your Secrets. Notably, his role in Stranger Things, though minor, connects him to another major Netflix hit and highlights his early presence in the streaming landscape.
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Stokes auditioned for Charlie [Heaton]’s and Joe Keery’s roles [in Stranger Things]. When they were doing the table read, they called me and said, hey, we’re having an issue getting one of our actors over from the UK - it was Charlie - due to visa issues, as often happens. They asked if I’d be willing to come to Atlanta and read as Charlie’s character, Jonathan Byers.
Breakthrough with Outer Banks
In February 2019, Stokes was presented with an opportunity that would change his life. He was offered an audition for Outer Banks, a teen drama series set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Initially, he declined the offer. He reconsidered and decided to audition, reading for the roles of both Topper and John B. Ultimately, he was cast as John B, the charismatic and adventurous leader of the "Pogues." Chase Stokes joined Outer Banks in 2020 and the drama quickly gained a dedicated fan base, catapulting him into the spotlight.
The first season of Outer Banks premiered on April 15, 2020, and quickly gained a dedicated fan base. The series' blend of adventure, mystery, and romance resonated with audiences, and Stokes' portrayal of John B was widely praised. His performance brought him widespread recognition and established him as a rising star in the entertainment industry.
The success of Outer Banks led to the renewal of the series for multiple seasons. A second season was announced in July 2020 and released in July 2021. The third premiered in February 2023, fourth premiered in October and November 2024, as two parts.
Other Projects
While Outer Banks remains his most prominent role, Stokes has also been involved in other projects. In 2019, he was cast as TJ in the pilot for One of Us Is Lying, a young adult mystery series. However, he did not return for the full series due to a scheduling conflict with the second season of Outer Banks and was subsequently replaced.
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In October 2021, Stokes was cast in Uglies, a dystopian fantasy film based on the novel by Scott Westerfeld. The film, produced by Netflix, completed production in December 2021. He was also cast in the military thriller film Valiant One in August 2022, with production wrapping up in late October 2022. In January 2023, he joined the cast of Marked Men: Rule + Shaw, a young-adult romance film based on Rule by Jay Crownover, playing the lead role of Rule Archer.
Directorial Debut
Stokes announced his feature directorial debut with I Told the Sunset About You, a coming-of-age romantic thriller. Based on an original concept by Stokes, the film follows a restless waitress and a quiet drifter whose journey westward leads to unforeseen consequences.
Personal Life
Chase and Madelyn met during the filming of Outer Banks in 2019, and eventually started dating. The two made it official in April 2020, and publicly announced their relationship in June. In August, they adopted a puppy together, named Milo.
Overcoming Obstacles
Stokes' journey to success was not without its challenges. He faced rejection, financial struggles, and personal losses along the way. But growing up, the young actor was left to navigate the landscape on his own. “I didn’t grow up in the industry. I didn’t have a North Star or an ‘Idiot’s Guide to Being an Actor’. I had no one to talk to about how to do this. I just followed my gut and intuition and, along the way, little moments would happen that gave me a pat on the back, like, hey, this is the right path. I was learning how to be a more present human being. Life was changing, life was shifting, and more beautiful life moments were happening. To me, those were little signs along the way, saying, this might not be the vertical growth you’re looking for but it’s a side quest that’s taking you in the right direction.
“My dad left when I was very young,” he declares. “My mum went through a second divorce when I was 15. I lost my grandmother, my best friend, the weekend we started shooting Outer Banks. I lost my cousin, who was also my best friend, the day Outer Banks came out during the pandemic. He adds philosophically, “There are several ways to look at it: you can live and dwell in the pain, or you can say, I’m going to carry on their legacies. It’s fucking hard, but it’s important to be vulnerable about it because no one really talks about it. I don’t think a lot of people would have the guts to share this, but if I can help someone who’s going through that, I’m doing the right thing. I had a lot of moments where I questioned my purpose, my existence and my survival.
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