Actor Chase Stokes is probably best known for playing John B in the Netflix hit “Outer Banks,” which debuted on April 15. But before he splashed around the shores of Charleston, S.C., during filming, he surfed the shores of the Sunshine State, visited Central Florida’s theme parks “a million times” and called Orlando home.
“I’m so grateful to be a part of the Orlando community,” said Stokes, who noted he still stops by Florida to visit family. “I’m grateful to consider myself a Floridian and so grateful for the city’s support.”
Stokes, 27, moved to Orlando at age 13 and later graduated from Timber Creek High School in 2010. He received his bachelor’s degree from Valencia College before furthering his education at the University of Central Florida and Seminole State College.
His passion for the entertainment industry blossomed in Central Florida.
“Just being in a place that is so collectively established as an entertainment hub kind of gave me the grounding to pursue this career,” he said of Orlando. “I was always infatuated with the theme parks, when you go and see the entertainment at Disney and Universal. … plus Full Sail, UCF and Seminole State have great film programs.”
While he admits he got into the industry later than most do, he “winged it,” emailed many Hollywood agents and eventually landed his “Outer Banks” role.
Stokes describes “Outer Banks” as a coming-of-age story of friends living in a lower-income area impacted by a hurricane that unearths secrets that could help solve the mystery of what happened to John B’s dad, who disappeared about a year earlier. There’s also a treasure hunt involved.
“It’s a journey with friends as we try to find the answers we so desperately seek,” said Stokes who mentioned his character has some Ferris Bueller tendencies. “John B has a big heart and is determined in every aspect of life, except education.”
During filming in Charleston, the actors shot scenes involving surfing, boating, swimming, fighting and more.
“It was incredible,” he said. “It was sort of like a paid summer camp sponsored by Netflix.”
Certain scenes from “Outer Banks” reminded Stokes of his high school years, he said.
“It’s kind of an homage to growing up in Orlando to me, sneaking into Orlando hotels, surfing at the beach … sneaking into the Hilton hotel pool to cool off at the end of the day,” Stokes said.
While the entertainment industry in California is shutdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, Stokes has two projects he’s looking forward to once things return to normal: resuming work on TV series “One of Us Is Lying” — which he describes as “The Breakfast Club” meets “Pretty Little Liars” — and “Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets,” a film that comes out later this year.
To watch “Outer Banks,” go to netflix.com/title/80236318.
Want to reach out? Email me at kchristiansen@orlandosentinel.com. Find more fun things on Instagram @fun.things.orlando and Facebook @fun.things.orlando.
