Madelyn Cline on Filming with Her Ex Chase Stokes: Keeping It Professional After the Breakup

As filming for the final season of Outer Banks has begun and the new season is expected to drop soon, all eyes are on Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes as they prepare to work together again. Having dated during the early seasons and then gone their separate ways, the pair face the unique challenge of continuing to portray an on-screen couple while navigating a changed off-screen relationship. But how does it really feel to work alongside an ex, and what’s the dynamic like now?

Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes turned heads with their electric on-screen chemistry in Outer Banks, only for fans to later discover the sparks were real. The two dated publicly while filming, and continued working side-by-side even after calling it quits. But what was it really like to act in love after a breakup—and how did they keep things from unraveling?

Working While Dating a Co-Star

When Season 1 of Outer Banks hit Netflix, viewers were captivated by the relationship between John B. and Sarah Cameron. That real-life connection between Cline and Stokes made headlines, but from the start, the actors made it clear their work came first.

“We had a working relationship before we had a personal relationship, and our job from day one has always been to leave the show better than we found it,” Cline shared in an interview.

Even as their romance played out in the public eye, both actors remained focused on the show. Netflix leaned into the real-life couple narrative, but Cline and Stokes maintained a firm boundary between their personal lives and their performance. As their off-camera relationship grew, so did their onscreen dynamic—something fans immediately picked up on.

The combination of a compelling script, growing fanbase, and genuine connection turned Outer Banks into a Gen Z hit. And for a while, it seemed like everything—both on and off set—was working in perfect harmony.

Returning to Set After the Breakup

By late 2021, news broke that Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes had split. In Hollywood, working with an ex often results in headlines, tension, or even a recast. But not here.

“At the end of the day, there’s always been a safe space with the job… nothing personal or negative will touch the job,” Cline told People. She emphasized that the cast and crew were like family, and that they all agreed early on to keep the work environment untouched by personal issues.

“It was awkward sometimes. We’re human, so those things are going to happen. But we respect each other and keep it professional.” — Chase Stokes (ET Online)

“Making my relationship public made it everybody else’s business. I realized the negative side effects of that while going through the breakup...” — Madelyn Cline (Cosmopolitan)

Cline and Stokes returned to set for Season 3, playing a couple still madly in love—without skipping a beat. Showrunner Jonas Pate confirmed their maturity: “You’d never know they weren’t still together. They’re pros.” Reddit users echoed the sentiment, praising their professionalism and continued chemistry, even post-breakup.

Despite fan speculation, there was no drama and no performance dip. In fact, many noted that their emotional scenes felt more grounded—perhaps because of the complex history they shared. Cline and Stokes proved it’s possible to leave the past behind and still show up fully for the work.

Where They Stand Now

Months after the breakup, both actors have continued to speak about each other with admiration. In an interview with People, Stokes said,

“She’s an incredible person, a rockstar of an actress… I’m still always going to be one of her biggest fans.”

Cline has also made it clear that she values the working relationship they’ve rebuilt. Their off-screen romance may have ended, but their shared commitment to the show hasn’t wavered. They’re both confirmed for Outer Banks Season 4 and continue to appear in joint press events—smiling, supportive, and grounded.

Their story challenges the usual Hollywood narrative of mess and bitterness. Instead, it’s one of mutual respect, personal growth, and professional integrity. They may not be dating, but they’ve figured out how to move forward—and that’s something fans respect just as much as the love story they used to root for.

As we lead into the final season of Outer Banks, this story of professionalism and respect between Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes may help fans and future searches better understand how the stars navigate working together after a breakup.

Working with your ex could easily be a career nightmare. But Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes have rewritten that story—turning what could have been behind-the-scenes drama into an example of how to stay focused, respectful, and remarkably real.

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