Chase Stokes’ Stranger Things Role Explained (& Who He Almost Played Instead)

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Most people know Chase Stokes as the star of Outer Banks, but he almost found fame with a different Netflix series. As John B. Routledge, the charismatic and rebellious leader of the group known as the Pogues, Stokes has been a central figure in the show for four seasons. A fifth and final season of the teen adventure drama is expected to arrive in late 2026.

While Chase Stokes is best known for his role in Outer Banks, he’s also appeared in the sci-fi films Uglies (2024) and Valiant One (2025). He also had a minor part in the popular Netflix series Stranger Things.

The final episode of Stranger Things aired in late 2025, becoming a huge hit for Netflix. However, most fans agree that the show’s first season was its strongest, and that’s where you can see actor Stokes. In season 1, episode 6, Stokes plays a teenager named Reed who is riding in a car with his friends. As they pass Jonathan and Nancy, one of the boys yells, “Hey Nancy, can’t wait to see your movie!”

This concerns an incident where Steve and his friends changed the message on the Hawk Theater marquee to read, “All the Right Moves starring Nancy ‘the Slut’ Wheeler.” They did this after Steve discovered Nancy with Jonathan in her room, as a way of getting back at them. This happened when Steve was still developing as a character – he was a bit of a bully and his relationship with Nancy was unstable. It’s notable that Stokes shares a compelling connection with Steve Harrington.

Chase Stokes Auditioned To Play Steve In Stranger Things

In a 2023 interview with Variety, Chase Stokes shared that he originally tried out for the role of Steve Harrington – the popular character known as ‘The Hair’ – on Stranger Things. Despite his success playing similar charming and rebellious characters, Stokes admitted his audition didn’t go well.

I completely blanked during the audition and it went terribly,” Stokes admitted. He drove eight hours from Atlanta to Orlando afterward, filled with regret. Despite the bad audition, the Duffer brothers saw potential in him and decided to cast him as Reed. While he hoped for a larger role, Stokes is thankful for the opportunity, as it helped kickstart his career.

He genuinely supports Joe Keery, the actor who eventually got the role, saying he’s “super proud” of him. Stokes believes everything happens for a reason, explaining that the producers of Stranger Things ultimately gave him the opportunity to star in Outer Banks. He described it as a meaningful, serendipitous moment.

Chase Stokes Isn’t The Only Outer Banks Star To Appear In Stranger Things

Interestingly, Madelyn Cline, who played Chase Stokes’ love interest on Outer Banks and was previously in a relationship with him in real life, also had a role in Stranger Things. She played Tina, a Hawkins High student who had a crush on Billy Hargrove in season 2. While it was a small part, Cline is remembered for a scene where her character dresses up as Madonna for a Halloween party.

Outer Bank Actors & Their Stranger Things Characters
Actor Stranger Things Character Description
Chase Stokes Reed A teenage bully who mock Nancy in season 1
Madelyn Cline Tina A teenage girl who has a crush on Billy in season 2
Caroline Arapoglou Winnie Kline The wife of Mayor Larry Kline in season 3.

The connections between Outer Banks and Stranger Things go beyond Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline. Caroline Arapoglou, who played Rose Cameron (Sarah’s stepmother) in the first three seasons of Outer Banks, also appeared in Stranger Things season 3 as Winnie Kline, the wife of Mayor Kline. Just like Sarah in Stranger Things, Winnie is attracted to Billy Hargrove, and she—along with other mothers at the pool—can’t help but watch him while he’s working as a lifeguard.

While the actors from Outer Banks didn’t play significant roles in Stranger Things, their appearances caught Netflix’s attention. It might be interesting to revisit Outer Banks and keep an eye on the supporting cast – they could be the streaming service’s next breakout stars.

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2026-05-18 02:10