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

It’s hard to believe that Chase Stokes almost became famous for another Netflix show when he is so synonymous with Outer Banks. As John B. Routledge, the rebellious yet charming leader of the Pogues, Stokes has led the Outer Banks cast through four incredible seasons, with the fifth and final installment of the teen adventure drama set to premiere later in 2026.

Though Outer Banks is by far the actor’s most prominent credit, Stokes’ filmography includes some impressive turns in the sci-fi movies Uglies (2024) and Valiant One (2025). On the TV side, he had a small role in another long-running Netflix teen show, Stranger Things.

Stranger Things aired its series finale at the end of 2025, and though the episode broke multiple records for Netflix, the show’s first season is universally considered its best, and it’s where Stokes appears. In season 1, episode 6, Stokes plays Reed, a teenage boy seen riding in a car with his friends. As they drive by Jonathan and Nancy, one of them tauntingly says, “Hey Nance, can’t wait to see your movie.”

This is in reference to Steve and his friends vandalizing the marquee at Hawk Theater to read, “All the Right Moves starring Nancy ‘the Slut’ Wheeler” as retribution for Steve catching Nancy with Jonathan in her bedroom. This was way back when eventual fan-favorite character Steve was still a bully and in a tenuous relationship with Nancy. Interestingly, it’s Steve Harrington with whom Stokes has a fascinating connection.

Chase Stokes Auditioned To Play Steve In Stranger Things

Image via Netflix

Speaking to Variety in 2023, Stokes revealed that he originally auditioned to play Stranger Things‘ resident cool guy, Steve “The Hair” Harrington. You’d think that, given his success at playing charismatic bad boy types, Stokes would have been a serious contender, but the Outer Banks star reveals that he actually bombed his audition.

“I forgot all the lines and absolutely [f**ed] up the audition. I drove eight hours from Atlanta back to Orlando regretting every moment of my life on that,” Stokes revealed. Still, despite the failed audition, the Duffer brothers clearly saw something in the young actor, as they wrote him into the series as Reed. Stokes wishes the role could have been a little bigger, but is still grateful for the opportunity, which he credits as having helped launch his career.

He also holds no ill will towards Stranger Things star Joe Keery for landing the part, saying, “I’m super proud of [Joe].” In Stokes’ case, all things happened for a reason, as producers on Stranger Things were the ones to cast him in Outer Banks. “It was a very full circle moment for me,” he said.

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

Fascinatingly, Stokes’ onscreen Outer Banks love interest and former real-life romantic partner, Madelyn Cline also appeared in Stranger Things. The Sarah Cameron actress played Tina, a student at Hawkins High who is one of the many teenage girls to develop an attraction to Billy Hargrove in season 2. Though Cline’s role is small, she has a memorable scene in which Tina dresses as Madonna at a Halloween party.

The Outer Banks-Stranger Things crossovers don’t end with Stokes and Cline, either. Caroline Arapoglou, who played Sarah’s stepmother, Rose Cameron, in Outer Banks seasons 1-3, appeared in Stranger Things season 3 as Winnie Kline, the wife of Mayor Larry Kline. Like her former onscreen stepdaughter’s Stranger Things character, Winnie is also drawn to Billy Hargrove, as she and the other “pool moms” make a habit of ogling him whenever he’s on lifeguard duty.

Though none of the Outer Banks stars had a major impact in the Stranger Things universe, their small roles got their foot in the door for Netflix to notice them. It may be worth going back and rewatching Outer Banks to pay attention to the show’s bit-part actors — they may just be the streaming platform’s next big stars.