Starting Point
Most people know Chase Stokes as John B, the fearless leader of the Pogues on Netflix’s smash hit Outer Banks. But long before he was treasure-hunting in the North Carolina marshlands, Chase quietly appeared in one of Netflix’s most beloved shows ever. He showed up in Stranger Things. And the story behind how he got there — and how he almost landed a much bigger role, is one of the most fascinating chapters of his career.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about Chase Stokes Stranger Things. We look at the character he played, the role he almost got, why Stranger Things matters to his career story, and what he has gone on to achieve since. We also cover his early life, his personal life, and his exciting upcoming projects.
Whether you are a Stranger Things fan, an Outer Banks fan, or just learning about Chase Stokes for the first time — this is the complete guide.
Who Is Chase Stokes? Early Life and Background
Before we get into Stranger Things, it helps to understand who Chase Stokes is and where he came from.
James Alexander Chase Stokes was born on September 16, 1992, in Annapolis, Maryland. His parents are Jeff Stokes and Jennifer Canning. They divorced when he was four years old.
That early family change set the tone for a childhood full of movement. He moved with his mother to Canton, Georgia, before relocating to Orlando, Florida, as a teenager, where he attended Timber Creek High School.
Growing up across multiple states could have been unsettling. But for Chase, it built adaptability and resilience — two qualities that would serve him well in the unpredictable world of acting.
And acting was not even his first dream. Growing up, Chase harboured serious aspirations of becoming a professional ice hockey player. He loved the sport. and he was competitive. He threw himself into it.
However, life had other plans. Chase eventually found his way to the performing arts. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Valencia College and later attended the University of Central Florida and Seminole State College. During his college years, his passion for acting grew steadily. He started auditioning for small roles. And he began the long, patient grind that most actors know all too well.
After finishing his studies, Chase packed up and moved to Los Angeles. He brought his then-girlfriend Xio Montalvo with him. He had no guarantees. and he had no connections. and he had only his determination and his talent.
For several years, he took whatever work he could find. He auditioned constantly. He took small roles in TV shows and short films. And slowly but surely, the opportunities started to come.
Chase Stokes in Stranger Things: His Character Reed Explained
Now let us get to the heart of the matter. What was Chase Stokes’ actual role in Stranger Things?
Chase Stokes previously appeared in Stranger Things as a character called Reed. In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, Chase can be seen driving away from Jonathan Byers, after shouting a suggestive comment about Nancy. He appears in Season 1, Episode 6.
So there you have it. Reed is a very small role. He appears in one episode. And he has minimal screen time. He shouts a rude comment and drives away. That is essentially the full extent of his contribution to the Stranger Things universe — at least on screen.
But the significance of that role goes far beyond its size. Stokes began his acting career with small roles in television series such as Stranger Things, Daytime Divas, and Tell Me Your Secrets. Stranger Things was one of the first real TV credits on his resume. It was a foot in the door. And in Hollywood, a foot in the door can change everything.
Furthermore, the role connected Chase directly to the Duffer Brothers — the creators of Stranger Things. That connection turned out to be very important. More on that in a moment.
There is also a fun coincidence worth noting. Chase’s ex-girlfriend and Outer Banks co-star Madelyn Cline appears in Season 2 as Tina. So both Chase and Madelyn had minor roles in Stranger Things before they both landed major roles in Outer Banks and began dating each other. It is a small-world Hollywood connection that fans still talk about today.
The Steve Harrington Audition: How Chase Stokes Nearly Changed Stranger Things Forever
This is where the story gets truly fascinating. Because Chase Stokes did not just appear in Stranger Things as a background character. He also auditioned for one of the show’s most beloved roles.
Outer Banks star Chase Stokes almost played another Netflix heartthrob. The John B actor said, before he landed the lead part in the mystery thriller, he auditioned for Stranger Things fan-favourite character Steve Harrington.
Steve Harrington is one of the most popular characters in the entire show. He starts out as an arrogant, self-centred high school jock. Then he transforms into one of the most lovable and funny heroes in the group. Fans absolutely adore him. And the actor who plays him — Joe Keery — has become a star in his own right.
But Chase Stokes almost got that role. And his audition story is both funny and painfully relatable.
“So I actually read for Steve Harrington and forgot all the lines and absolutely effed up the audition,” Stokes told Access Hollywood at the Outer Banks fan event Poguelandia. “I drove eight hours from Atlanta back to Orlando regretting every moment of my life on that.”
Just picture that. Eight hours in a car. Reliving every moment of a botched audition. Every actor has a story like that — but most of them do not end up as the star of one of Netflix’s biggest shows anyway.
The role:
Eventually went to Joe Keery. Chase said he is “so damn good” as Steve Harrington. “He’s so damn good as Steve Harrington,” he added of Keery’s take on the part. “I’m super proud of him. I’ve talked to him a little bit throughout the years.”
That is a generous and mature response. Chase could easily be bitter. Instead, he celebrates the casting. He acknowledges that the right person got the job. That kind of attitude is rare and admirable.
But here is the beautiful twist in the story. Despite bombing that audition, Chase still got something from the Stranger Things experience.
Though Stokes didn’t get the major role in the sci-fi series, Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer gave the actor another part in the show, as a minor character in the sixth episode of Season 1.
So the Duffer Brothers saw enough in Chase to give him a small role even after he forgot his lines. That small gesture mattered enormously. It gave Chase a real TV credit. It built his confidence. And it started the relationship that would later help him land Outer Banks.
The Outer Banks star credits the Duffers for kickstarting his career. “I’m just thankful for the Duffer brothers for giving me an opportunity to do my job and to start my career,” Stokes concluded. “I mean, if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here and the executive producers and the Netflix people who were part of that show were also part of Stranger Things. It’s a very full circle moment for me.”
That full-circle moment is one of the most compelling parts of Chase Stokes’ story. He failed an audition. He got a tiny role instead. And that tiny role led directly to the opportunity that made him a global star.
Chase Stokes Attributes Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Alexander Chase Stokes |
| Date of Birth | September 16, 1992 |
| Birthplace | Annapolis, Maryland, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 80 kg (176 lbs) |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Education | Valencia College; University of Central Florida; Seminole State College |
| Known For | John B. in Outer Banks (Netflix, 2020–present) |
| Stranger Things Role | Reed — Season 1, Episode 6 (“The Monster”) |
| Stranger Things Audition | Auditioned for Steve Harrington, forgot lines, did not get the role |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1 million – $3 million USD |
| Instagram Followers | Nearly 9 million |
| Relationship Status | Dated Madelyn Cline (2020–2021); dated Kelsea Ballerini (2023–2025) |
| Upcoming Projects | Outer Banks Season 5 (2025/2026), Evil Dead Burn (2026), directorial debut I Told the Sunset About You |
How Stranger Things Led to Outer Banks: The Full Career Connection
The Stranger Things connection is not just a fun trivia fact. It is actually the foundation of Chase Stokes’ entire career.
After his cameo as Reed, Chase continued to work hard on small roles. He appeared in more TV shows. He built his resume piece by piece. And he stayed connected to the people he had met during the Stranger Things audition process.
Then in February 2019, an opportunity arrived. He initially declined an offer to audition for Outer Banks before later reading for the roles of Topper and John B.
Yes, Chase Stokes actually turned down the chance to audition for Outer Banks at first. He reportedly thought the title sounded too cheesy. and he was not interested. He almost walked away from the role that would define his career.
Fortunately.
Someone convinced him to give it a shot. He went in. He read for Topper first. Then he read for John B. And everything clicked.
The Duffer Brothers and the executive producers of Outer Banks were the same people involved in Stranger Things. That existing relationship helped. They already knew Chase. They had already given him a chance once before. And now they were ready to give him a much bigger one.
The first season of Outer Banks premiered on April 15, 2020. Chase Stokes became an international star virtually overnight after the premiere. The role transformed Chase Stokes from a struggling actor to a household name.
The show was an immediate hit. Audiences loved the adventure, the mystery, and the chemistry between the cast. Chase’s portrayal of John B — passionate, reckless, loyal, and deeply human — resonated with viewers around the world.
A second season followed. Then a third. Then a fourth. Each season grew the show’s audience further. And Chase Stokes grew with it — becoming not just an actor, but a genuine cultural icon for his generation.
Chase Stokes Career Beyond Stranger Things and Outer Banks
Outer Banks made Chase Stokes famous. But he has not been content to rest on that success. Since the show’s debut, he has consistently pushed himself into new genres and new challenges.
Uglies (2024)
In 2024, he starred in Netflix’s Uglies opposite actress Joey King. The science fiction film showcased Chase Stokes’ range in different genres. In the film, he plays Peris — a character in a futuristic dystopian world. It was a very different kind of role from John B. But Chase handled the shift with confidence.
Valiant One (2025)
In August 2022, Chase Stokes was cast in the military thriller film Valiant One. Production wrapped in late October 2022. The film is set in the Korean DMZ and follows a group of soldiers fighting for survival after a plane crash. It is one of Chase’s most physically demanding roles to date. The film was released in 2025.
Marked Men: Rule + Shaw (2025)
In January 2023, he joined the cast of Marked Men: Rule + Shaw, a young-adult romance film based on Rule by Jay Crownover. Stokes plays the lead role of Rule Archer. The film wrapped production in late 2022 and had its theatrical release on January 22, 2025.
Rule Archer is a tattooed rebel navigating a complicated love story. It is a very different energy from John B. Chase clearly relished the chance to explore a character with a darker, more intense personality.
Outer Banks Season 5 (Final Season)
Fans should prepare their goodbyes. The fifth and final season of Outer Banks is currently in development and expected to hit Netflix in 2026. This will be the end of John B’s journey. For Chase, it will also be a major chapter closing. He has played this character for five seasons. Saying goodbye to the Pogues will not be easy.
Directorial Debut: I Told the Sunset About You
Perhaps the most exciting development in Chase’s career is his move behind the camera.
In 2025, 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.
This project shows that Chase Stokes sees himself as more than just an actor. He is becoming a filmmaker. And He has ideas. He has stories he wants to tell. And he is willing to take on the enormous responsibility of directing his own film to tell them.
Chase Stokes Personal Life: Relationships and Romance
Chase Stokes’ personal life has often attracted as much attention as his professional one. He has been in two very high-profile relationships since Outer Banks made him famous.
Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline
In June 2020, Stokes confirmed his relationship with Outer Banks co-star Madelyn Cline. The couple separated in October 2021.
Their relationship was one of the most talked-about in Netflix history. Fans of Outer Banks were thrilled to learn that John B and Sarah Cameron were a real couple off screen too. Their on-screen chemistry translated perfectly to real life — or so it seemed.
After 15 months together, they split. However, they handled the breakup with impressive maturity. They continued working together on Outer Banks for multiple seasons, They remained professional. They remained respectful. And their ability to separate personal and professional life earned widespread admiration in the industry.
Chase even won the MTV Movie and TV Award for Best Kiss in 2021 with Madelyn Cline. That award will always remain a sweet reminder of their time together.
Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini
In January 2023, he began a relationship with country singer Kelsea Ballerini.
The pairing surprised many fans. Chase is an actor from the Netflix drama world. Kelsea is a country music superstar. But the connection between them was immediate and genuine.
Kelsea confirmed that they were a couple on the Call Her Daddy podcast, revealing that she slid into his DMs. Their first date was at a sushi restaurant on January 7, 2023. From there, the relationship developed quickly and publicly.
Chase appeared in Kelsea’s “First Rodeo” music video. They attended the CMT Music Awards and the Met Gala together. They were, by all appearances, deeply happy.
However, reports surfaced in late 2025 that the pair had officially called it quits after nearly three years of on-and-off dating. According to insiders, the split was fuelled by “lifestyle logistics” and the difficulty of merging two very busy, high-pressure careers.
While they briefly reconciled, sources confirmed in February 2026 that they had broken up again. Kelsea noted at the 2026 Grammys that while the splits looked “dramatic” to the public, they were more about two people trying to find happiness in different places.
As of early 2026, Chase Stokes appears to be single and focused on his career. His dedication to his craft has never wavered — even during the more challenging personal moments.
Chase Stokes and Mental Health Advocacy
One aspect of Chase Stokes that deserves more attention is his openness about mental health. He is not just a pretty face on a popular show. He uses his platform to speak about real issues that affect many of his fans.
Chase has spoken publicly about the pressures of fame, the importance of therapy, and the need to prioritise mental wellbeing in an industry that often rewards hustle over health. His willingness to be vulnerable in interviews and on social media has made him a role model for younger fans who are navigating their own mental health journeys.
He has also spoken about maintaining a healthy fitness routine as part of his mental wellness. Stokes works with a celebrity trainer. Stokes practices Pilates. He rediscovered a love of distance running. And he has a partnership with Brooks Running that reflects his genuine commitment to an active lifestyle.
This combination of openness and action sets Chase apart from many of his peers. He does not just talk about wellness. He lives it. And that authenticity resonates deeply with his audience.
Chase Stokes on Social Media: A Genuine Connection with Fans
Chase Stokes has built an enormous social media following. He now has nearly 9 million Instagram followers. He is also active on TikTok at @hichasestokes, where he posts behind-the-scenes content, funny videos with co-stars, and personal moments.
What makes Chase’s social media presence stand out is its authenticity. Stokes does not just post polished promotional content. He shares real moments. And He is funny. He is self-deprecating. He talks to fans directly and honestly.
Stokes has made over 30 self-appearances on television, ranging from The Tonight Show to presenting at the Grammy Awards and the Critics’ Choice Awards. That level of media presence reflects both his growing fame and his comfort in public settings.
His alter ego on set — a character called “Tammy” — became a fan favourite after his cast members started posting videos of his goofy behind-the-scenes behaviour. That kind of genuine, playful personality is hard to fake. And Chase’s fans appreciate it deeply.
The Full Circle Moment: From Stranger Things Extra to Netflix Icon
It is worth pausing to appreciate just how remarkable Chase Stokes’ journey has been.
Chase started as a kid from Maryland who dreamed of playing professional ice hockey. He moved to Los Angeles with nothing but ambition. He spent years taking small roles and going on audition after audition.
Then he failed a big audition — spectacularly. He forgot his lines for Steve Harrington in Stranger Things. He drove eight hours home kicking himself. It felt like the end.
But the Duffer Brothers gave him a second chance. A tiny role. A few seconds on screen. Just enough to keep his foot in the door.
That tiny role led to a connection. That connection led to Outer Banks. That show led to global stardom, millions of fans, films, music videos, a directorial debut, and a career that shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.
It is the kind of story that Hollywood loves to tell. And in this case, every word of it is true.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Chase Stokes and Stranger Things
What character did Chase Stokes play in Stranger Things?
He played a minor character named Reed, appearing in Season 1, Episode 6 (“The Monster”) of Stranger Things.
What did Chase Stokes’ character Reed do in Stranger Things?
Reed drives past Jonathan Byers and shouts a rude comment about Nancy before speeding away. It is a very brief, background appearance.
Did Chase Stokes audition for a bigger role in Stranger Things?
Yes. He auditioned for the role of Steve Harrington but forgot his lines and did not get the part. The role went to Joe Keery.
How does Chase Stokes feel about Joe Keery playing Steve Harrington?
He is fully supportive. He has said Joe Keery is “so damn good” as Steve Harrington and is proud of him.
How did Stranger Things connect to Chase Stokes getting Outer Banks?
The Duffer Brothers and producers from Stranger Things were also involved in Outer Banks. The existing relationship helped Chase land the audition and ultimately the lead role.
Did Madelyn Cline also appear in Stranger Things?
Yes. Chase’s ex-girlfriend and Outer Banks co-star Madelyn Cline appeared in Stranger Things Season 2 as a character named Tina.
What is Chase Stokes best known for?
He is best known for playing John B. Routledge in Netflix‘s Outer Banks, which premiered in 2020 and runs for five seasons.
Is Chase Stokes still in a relationship?
As of early 2026, Chase and country singer Kelsea Ballerini have broken up. Chase appears to be single and focused on his career.
What are Chase Stokes’ upcoming projects?
His upcoming projects include Outer Banks Season 5 (final season), Evil Dead Burn (2026), and his directorial debut I Told the Sunset About You.
What is Chase Stokes’ net worth?
His net worth is estimated between $1 million and $3 million USD, earned primarily through Outer Banks, film roles, and brand partnerships.
Final Thoughts on Chase Stokes and Stranger Things
The story of Chase Stokes in Stranger Things is far richer than a simple cameo. It is a story about persistence, humility, and the strange, unpredictable way that careers are built in Hollywood.
Chase Stokes failed one of his biggest auditions. He forgot his lines for a character that went on to become one of the most loved in television history. He drove home in silence, full of regret. And yet, that failure led directly to the opportunity that made him a star.
Moreover, his appearance as Reed in Stranger Things gave him his first real connection to the people who would later cast him as John B in Outer Banks. Without that tiny role, the whole story might have gone differently.
Today, Chase Stokes is one of the most recognisable faces on Netflix. He has millions of fans. And He is moving into directing. He is taking on bigger, more diverse roles. And he is doing all of it with the same honesty and groundedness that his fans fell in love with from the very beginning.
From a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in Hawkins, Indiana to the global star of the Outer Banks — Chase Stokes’ journey is one of the best in the business. And the best chapters of his story are still being written.