Share and Follow
Ever wondered what it would be like to have a kiss and say “I love you” to your ex after you broke up? Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes know what it’s like as they play lovers on the Netflix series Outer Banks.
For most, once you call it quits on your relationship, you typically don’t have to see that person again. But, in Hollywood, dating could mean acting like you still love someone, even if you are no longer together. We can only imagine how hard that would be because you have to sell the fantasy of love, so viewers buy into what they are watching.
So, no matter the actor’s personal feelings, they must set them aside and play pretend. And play pretend is exactly what Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes did.
The two met on the set of Outer Banks in 2019. They were cast as the main characters and the primary love story. The pair seemed happy in love on social media, red carpets, press tours, and interviews.
But, after more than a year of dating, the duo split up in 2021. However, it wasn’t as simple as giving each other’s stuff back and calling it a day. Their characters, Sarah Cameron (played by Cline) and John B (played by Stokes), are very much in love on the show.
So, what was it like pretending to be in love with your ex in front of the cast and crew and, subsequently, the world once the show aired?
What Was it Like on Set of Outer Banks For Madelyn Cline?
Madelyn Cline recalled the “safe space” the set has been, and that didn’t change post-breakup from Stokes. While speaking about filming season three, mere months after the separation, the actress told People, “at the end of the day, there’s always been a safe space with the job.”
According to Cline, everyone is still a family, “We’ve said from day one, our job is always to leave the show and the season better than when we left it last,” she explained. “And everybody is still very much a family. Outer Banks has always been a family. And I’m just happy that we are able to remain professional.”
The actress is rumored to be dating singer/songwriter Jackson Guthy. While speaking to Cosmopolitan, Cline said, “I’ve truly never been happier, and I feel very, very empowered.”
And People confirmed Cline brought Guthy to the Outer Banks season three premiere.
What Was it Like on Set For Chase Stokes?
Chase Stokes has nothing but respect for Cline, and while speaking to Entertainment Weekly, he shared the same sentiments as she did:
“Mads and I have been working together now for 30 episodes, and we made a promise to each other before we even started dating that the work was always going to come first.”
Stokes, who is now dating country singer Kelsey Ballerini, continued, “And that no matter what happens in our personal lives, and the ways that life sometimes takes you in different directions, that we’re always going to honor the work. That stayed 100 percent truthful this season.”
Read Related Also: How Much The Hunger Games’ Cast Salaries Grew From The First Movie To Mockingjay
Fellow cast member Madison Bailey, who plays Kiara, echoed what Stokes and Cline had to say about it being a safe environment. Bailey told People, “I think we all just have each other’s back and being like, ‘Hey, you’re safe here. You’re good. This is not… We are acting. Everything’s all right,'” continues Bailey. “I don’t know, just being there for each other, I think, is how we get through those hard days.”
But Cline and Stokes aren’t the only actors who have had to fake being in love despite breaking up.
Actors Who Had To Act Like They’re in Love Despite Breaking Up in Real Life
Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder played on again, off again, lovers on CW’s The Vampire Diaries—the duo dated for about three years, from 2010 to 2013.
In 2013, at the end of the fourth season, they broke up but had to continue to act like lovers for two more seasons of the show before Dobrev left The Vampire Diaries after season six.
While speaking to E! News, Dobrev said, “If you’re with someone for that long, obviously, there’s qualities in them that you enjoy, and it doesn’t change because you’re not together anymore. I have an enormous amount of respect and love for him.”
The pair remain friends today, having had dinner together and their respective partners. In 2017, Somerhalder posted a photo of himself, Dobrev, and his wife, Nikki Reed. He captioned it:
“Chilling with these two… After years of websites pretending these two badass ladies knew each other well and baseless, false information of back stabbing and hatred from low-brow websites filled the minds and hearts of fans… They finally were able to get together for their first real dinner. Let’s stop spreading hate, everyone; there’s already too much of that right now in our world. Join in on the love. Only love here- always has been, always will be. Media companies preying on the passion from vulnerable and or impressionable minds of fans to sell advertising through click-though traffic is a disease in our society. It’s poisonous.
Let’s finish this series with respect and kindness and continue that in our lives. I think it’s time. What do think?”
And in 2019, while on Watch What Happens Live, when asked about her friendship with Somerhalder, Dobrev said:
“I don’t think that’s weird at all. Why can’t everyone be friends?” Dobrev questioned. “I think they have a beautiful baby, and they are happy, and so am I. What’s bad about that? I don’t see any problem with that.”
Outer Banks is currently streaming on Netflix. The Vampire Diaries is currently streaming on HBO Max.
