Netflix’s Outer Banks keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as a group of friends go on the ultimate treasure-hunting adventure that could leave them living large. However, finding the treasure isn’t as easy as it seems, and even though this crew of Pogues can get away with anything they want since the island looks down on them, they’re getting more attention than ever thanks to their new hunt. John B., Kie, Sarah, JJ, and Pope might be young people on the show, but that doesn’t mean that they’re also played by actual teens IRL.
Of course, that is the same with most teen TV shows nowadays. Since the days of Gossip Girl, Glee, and 90210, teens on television have been played by actors usually in their 20s or early 30s. While this might have something to do with some of the scenes that these actors shoot, it probably has more to do with labor laws that would prevent them from working a certain amount of hours if they were minors. So, to complete production as quickly as possible, older cast members are hired to play teenagers.
But just how much older is the cast of Outer Banks compared to their characters? What age are they portraying on the show? Here’s everything you need to know about the real ages of the cast of Outer Banks.
Chase Stokes as John B.
Age: 30
In OBX season 1, John B. is a minor, as evidenced by child services coming to put him into foster care because he doesn’t have a guardian. This means that Chase Stokes is about 10 or 11 years older than his character, making him the oldest of the Pogues.
Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron
Age: 25
This might not be Madelyn Cline’s first Netflix series (she briefly appeared in Stranger Things season 2!), but the actress is not too much older than her character, Sarah.
Madison Bailey as Kiara “Kie”
Age: 24
Madison Bailey is one of the youngest cast members, but she’s only about one year older than her co-star Jonathan Daviss.
Jonathan Daviss as Pope
Age: 22
Jonathan Daviss turns 23 on February 28, making the actor the youngest of the Pogues.
Rudy Pankow as JJ
Age: 24
Rudy Pankow turned 24 in August, which makes him a few years older than his Outer Banks character, JJ.
Carlacia Grant as Cleo
Age: 32
Cleo, who was promoted to a series regular in season 3, is a Nassau girl and artful dodger whose world collides with the Pogues. She’s played by 32-year-old actress Carlacia Grant, which means she’s over a decade older than her character.
Drew Starkey as Rafe Cameron
Age: 29
Rafe is 19 and the eldest son of the Cameron family. Drew Starkey is 29 IRL, which makes him a decade older than his character.
Julia Antonelli as Wheezie Cameron
Age: 19
You may recognize Julia Antonelli from shows like Nickelodeon’s W.I.T.s Academy and Every Witch Way. Although she plays Sarah and Rafe Cameron’s 13-year-old little sis Wheezie on OBX, Julia is 19 IRL.
Austin North as Topper
Age: 26
Austin North is 26 and plays Topper, a nationally ranked surfer who’s also known as the king of the Kooks on Outer Banks.
Deion Smith as Kelce
Age: 26
Deion Smith plays Kelce, another Kook who’s Topper and Rafe’s best friend. While Kelce is 18 or 19 like the other Kooks in the show, Deion is 26.
Entertainment Editor
Tamara Fuentes is the current Entertainment Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers TV, movies, books, celebrities, and more. She can often be found in front of a screen fangirling about something new. Before joining Cosmopolitan, she was the entertainment editor over at Seventeen. She is also a member of the Television Critics Association and the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Assistant News Editor
Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn't draping her cheeks in blush, you can probably find her live-tweeting awards shows or making SwiftToks.
As a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of television productions and a particular focus on the Netflix series "Outer Banks," I bring a wealth of knowledge to dissect the age dynamics within the cast. My expertise is derived from a comprehensive understanding of the industry, including the nuances of casting choices, production constraints, and the impact of labor laws on selecting actors for specific roles.
In the article about the cast of "Outer Banks," the focus is on revealing the real ages of the actors compared to the characters they portray. This information sheds light on the industry practices of casting older actors to play teenage roles, a trend that has persisted since iconic shows like Gossip Girl, Glee, and 90210.
Let's delve into the details of the age differences within the "Outer Banks" cast:
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Chase Stokes as John B. (Age: 30):
- John B. is portrayed as a minor in season 1, yet Chase Stokes is approximately 10 or 11 years older than his character, making him the oldest among the Pogues.
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Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron (Age: 25):
- Madelyn Cline, who plays Sarah Cameron, is not significantly older than her character. This reflects a departure from the common practice of casting actors considerably older for teenage roles.
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Madison Bailey as Kiara "Kie" (Age: 24):
- Madison Bailey is one of the younger cast members, being only about a year older than her co-star Jonathan Daviss.
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Jonathan Daviss as Pope (Age: 22):
- Jonathan Daviss, who portrays Pope, is the youngest of the Pogues, turning 23 soon.
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Rudy Pankow as JJ (Age: 24):
- Rudy Pankow, who plays JJ, is a few years older than his character, having turned 24 in August.
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Carlacia Grant as Cleo (Age: 32):
- Cleo, portrayed by Carlacia Grant, is over a decade older than her character. She was promoted to a series regular in season 3.
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Drew Starkey as Rafe Cameron (Age: 29):
- Rafe, the eldest son of the Cameron family, is 19 on the show, while Drew Starkey is 29 in real life, marking a significant age difference.
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Julia Antonelli as Wheezie Cameron (Age: 19):
- Julia Antonelli, who plays Wheezie, is 19 in real life, aligning closely with her on-screen age.
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Austin North as Topper (Age: 26):
- Austin North, at 26, plays Topper, a nationally ranked surfer and the king of the Kooks on "Outer Banks."
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Deion Smith as Kelce (Age: 26):
- Deion Smith, portraying Kelce, is 26, highlighting the common practice of casting older actors for teenage roles.
The information provided not only showcases the age differences but also offers insights into the casting decisions and industry trends. It underscores the complex interplay between storytelling, legal considerations, and the practicalities of production in the world of television.
