Ever since Chase Stokes landed the role of John B. Routledge in Netflix’s wildly popular series Outer Banks, his fanbase has grown exponentially, and understandably so. As the ringleader of the Pogues, John B acts as an anchor for the show and is undoubtedly one of Outer Banks’ most beloved characters. Given his charisma and charm, Stokes’ presence onscreen is alluring and delightful to watch. Relatively new to the business, Stokes doesn’t have a slew of major acting credits to his name. However, thanks to his big break with Netflix, that’s beginning to change, which means there’s much more for fans of the actor to enjoy.

Since scoring the role of John B, Stokes’ landed a recurring role in the 2021 Prime Video thriller series Tell Me Your Secrets. On top of that, his acting resume has also expanded to the big screen. In 2021, he played Martin in Yaniv Raz’s Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets. In 2024, he portrayed Peris alongside actress Joey King in Netflix’s science fiction drama Uglies, and in 2025, he played Rule Archer in the romantic drama Marked Men: Rule + Shaw. As Stokes continues to develop as an actor, fans won’t want to miss his upcoming military action movie, Valiant One, where he plays a US Army captain named Edward Brockman tasked with leading his unit to safety after an unexpected disaster.

What Is ‘Valiant One’ About?

Valiant One is an action thriller and military drama that follows a team of non-combat tech specialists who find themselves on the wrong side of enemy lines. After a routine mission goes horribly awry, a US Army helicopter crashes deep inside North Korean territory. With the help of Specialist Selby (Lana Condor), Captain Edward Brockman reluctantly steps up as he’s forced to take charge. However, leading his team to safety will prove to be more difficult than anyone anticipated. With their communication equipment destroyed, they’re essentially cut off from the outside world, which means no one is coming to save them.

As they navigate the hostile and treacherous terrain without external military support, they’ll have to evade North Korean soldiers, who will certainly kill them if they’re caught. Having never before encountered such a situation, Captain Brockman and his fellow soldiers must rely on each other and their training if they ever hope to make it out alive. To complicate matters even more, they have to escort a civilian tech specialist to the Demilitarized Zone, which will prove more difficult than anything they’ve ever trained for. A heart-pounding thriller about survival in some of the toughest situations, Valiant One chronicles Captain Brockman and Specialist Selby’s courageous and brave efforts to protect their team and ensure everyone survives.

Chase Stokes Can Carry Leading Roles With Ease

And Has the Potential To Do More

If his role in Outer Banks is any indication, it’s clear Stokes has the keen ability to carry a television show or film on his own, or at least the potential for him to do so is there. While it’s still early in his career, he appears to carry leading roles with ease. His portrayal of John B is one of the most entertaining aspects of the Netflix series, which speaks to his skills as an actor. He’s funny, charismatic, and dynamic in the way he portrays the esteemed Pogue, which makes the series much more enjoyable to watch. Without Stokes, John B would be an extremely different character and, arguably, a lesser one.

While some would argue Outer Banks is a bit too melodramatic, that doesn’t speak to what Stokes is able to do with the role he was given. He doesn’t write the scripts or necessarily have a say in the trajectory of his character and the other Pogues. However, what he’s able to do with what he’s given should speak volumes regarding his skills, as well as his potential. As such, his role in Valiant One should further highlight what kind of actor he can be. Because of this, Outer Banks fans and fans of Stokes won’t want to pass up seeing his newest film. Because his latest role as Captain Brockman is vastly different from what he’s known for, fans should be excited to check it out.

Sure, a military film about American soldiers trapped behind enemy lines in North Korea doesn’t exactly sit adjacent to a Netflix series about treasure-hunting teens. However, that doesn’t mean the former can’t be enjoyed by fans of the latter. Given Chase Stokes sits at the helm of both, fans of Outer Banks could easily enjoy Valiant One and shouldn’t pass on seeing it on the big screen this year. Valiant One is now playing in theaters.