@sammysamslife Did Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey use body doubles? #outerbanks #bodydoubles #jj #kiara #rudypankow #madisonbailey
Created by Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke, the action-adventure mystery teen drama Outer Banks. It is regarded as one of the popular coming-of-age stories with a stellar cast including Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow, and others. What starts with a seemingly forbidden romance story in an ideal vacation town setting turns out to be a hunt for treasure with a lot of low and high waves coming their way.
Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey as JJ & Kiara | Credits: Netflix
Upon release, the critics shared that the show is intriguing and fun enough to keep the audience hooked along the way. It received a positive response from the audience and critics, who expressed that the characters on the show are interesting and have great chemistry. Some mentioned that the plot of the show reflects a young adult novel. However, a feud between two actors in real life messed things up for the viewers.
Did Madison Bailey rely on a stunt double for scenes in Outer Banks season 4 to avoid co-star Rudy Pankow?
Actress Madison Bailey plays Kiara Carrera on Outer Banks, who is technically a Kook but hangs out with the Pogues. She becomes romantically involved with one of her best friends, JJ Maybank, played by actor Rudy Pankow. They become one of the most beloved on-screen couples on the show, surpassing the popularity of Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline‘s John B. & Sarah.
Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey reportedly refused to film together | Credits: Netflix
However, towards the end of season 4, Pankow’s character was written out of the story, bringing their love story to a sad end. Where ardent fans expressed their sadness over JJ’s death, some fans speculated that the actors used stunt doubles to film their last scenes together.
One of the fans shared at the time (via Style Caster),
The camera cuts. Making it so obvious that she was laying on that stunt double. This is just insane; the fact that Rudy and Madison refused to record it together and they had to use a stunt double just shows their unprofessionalism in their work. And they weren’t even supposed to be doing anything huge in that scene. Just hugging a bit.
Another user shared that everything they’ve heard about Outer Banks is crazy, adding that the rumor is that the actors had stunt doubles for a cuddle scene.
The speculation of the two actors not getting along and refusing to film together started in June 2023 after a cast dinner. It has been alleged that during the cast dinner, something happened after which Madison Bailey and her girlfriend Mariah Linney unfollowed Pankow’s girlfriend Elaine Siemek.
Rudy Pankow’s girlfriend also unfollowed the actress and her partner, but Pankow and Bailey continued to follow each other. However, it was reported at the time that they maintained distance in public.
Very little is known about what exactly happened between the two, but it has been reported that the actors were close friends in the first few seasons, which led to fans shipping their characters. This made Pankow and Bailey’s real-life partner uncomfortable. However, a source shared with Life & Style that the actors are adamant that they didn’t use body doubles to film scenes together.
Outer Banks creators revealed JJ Maybank’s death was always planned
Outer Banks creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke shared with Netflix that they had always planned that JJ would eventually die. They said,
It was a really hard decision because he’s such a great piece of the ensemble. It sets the stage for an epic fifth and final season. We’re planning a story of redemption and a season that embodies that friendship that JJ had come to represent.
The creators added that JJ’s death was a hard decision but a very necessary piece of the architecture for the story, and they plan on honoring that as much as they can because they love the characters as much as the audience. Actress Madelyn Cline, who plays Sarah on the show, shared that JJ is the heart of the Outer Banks.
Rudy Pankow’s character was killed off in Season 4 | Credits: Netflix
Madison Bailey, in conversation with Netflix, noted that JJ’s death is going to rock her character’s world, adding, however, her character is a symbol of never giving up and not letting any circumstances affect how one loves. Rudy Pankow, on his part, shared that he wants to leave the cast and crew with the biggest thank-you, noting that it’s been such a pleasure to come to work.
The actor mentioned to the fans that he’ll forever be grateful for the love and support they have shown. Lastly, he added that it’s been an honor for him to bring his character to life. And P4L! Outer Banks is going to conclude with the fifth and final season.
