If you spent any time on the internet between 2020 and 2021, you likely saw them. Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline weren’t just the "it" couple of Netflix; they were the literal personification of Pogue life. Their chemistry on Outer Banks as John B and Sarah Cameron was so electric it felt like it might actually melt your screen. But here is the thing: the line between fiction and reality got blurry fast.
The short answer is yes, Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline did date. It wasn't just a PR stunt to sell a TV show. It was a real, year-plus-long relationship that started in the heat of a global pandemic and ended just as the world—and their fame—was exploding.
The "Cats Outta the Bag" Era
Their story didn't start with a red carpet. It started in a crowded house in Los Angeles during the 2020 lockdowns. While the rest of us were sourdough-prepping and failing at TikTok dances, the Outer Banks cast was "quarantining" together. Chase, Madelyn, Drew Starkey, and Rudy Pankow were all holed up in a tiny apartment, essentially trauma-bonding over their overnight success.
Naturally, rumors started flying. Fans are FBI-level investigators when it comes to Instagram backgrounds and stray comments. On June 14, 2020, Chase finally posted a photo of a beach picnic with the caption, "cats outta the bag."
Madelyn’s response? "I've fallen and I can’t get up."
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Honestly, it was the perfect "hard launch." For the next year, they were everywhere. They won "Best Kiss" at the 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards and celebrated by actually recreating the kiss on stage. It was chaotic. It was cute. It was exactly what fans wanted.
Why Did Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline Break Up?
By late 2021, the vibes shifted. The red carpet photos stopped. The gushing Instagram stories went quiet. On November 1, 2021, sources finally confirmed what the "OBX" fandom feared: the two had called it quits.
They had been together for about a year and a half.
The breakup wasn't some dramatic, explosive tabloid scandal. According to most reports, they were just two young actors whose schedules became impossible to manage. If you've ever tried to maintain a relationship while filming a high-octane drama in a different state (or country) for months on end, you know it's a recipe for burnout.
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The Aftermath and Professionalism
What’s wild is that they had to go back to work together almost immediately. Imagine breaking up with your partner and then having to fly to Barbados to film "I love you" scenes for months. Madelyn actually opened up about this later, calling the experience a "mind f—k."
"Outer Banks and that public relationship was kind of my identity," she told the Therapuss podcast in 2025. "I didn't realize what the repercussions were of inviting so many people into something... that's intimate."
Despite the awkwardness, they stayed professional. Chase told Entertainment Weekly that they made a pact before they even started dating: the work comes first. They’ve managed to keep filming through multiple seasons without the set turning into a disaster zone. That’s more than most of us can say about working with an ex at a coffee shop, let alone a multi-million dollar Netflix production.
Where Are They Now?
Fast forward to 2026, and both have very clearly moved on. Chase Stokes has been in a high-profile relationship with country star Kelsea Ballerini since early 2023. They seem genuinely happy, often posting about their "golden retriever energy" dynamic.
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Madelyn, on the other hand, has had a few public flings, most notably a brief stint with comedian Pete Davidson that ended in early 2024. She’s lately been more low-key, focusing on her massive career jump from Netflix star to major film actress in projects like Glass Onion and the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel.
The Legacy of John B and Sarah
Even though they aren't together, the "did Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline date" question persists because their on-screen counterparts are still very much a thing. It’s a testament to their acting that people still wonder if they’re secretly together. They aren't. They are just two people who shared a very intense, very public chapter of their lives and decided it was better to be friends (and co-stars) than a couple.
If you’re still mourning the loss of "Chads" (their fan-given couple name), just remember: we still have the show. The chemistry you see on screen in the later seasons isn't romantic tension—it's two people who respect each other enough to keep the magic alive for the fans, even when the off-camera spark has long since fizzled.
Key Takeaways for Fans:
- They dated officially from June 2020 to late 2021.
- The breakup was largely due to busy schedules and the pressure of fame.
- They remain close friends and professional colleagues.
- Chase is currently dating Kelsea Ballerini, while Madelyn has kept her recent dating life more private.
If you're looking for more details on the Outer Banks cast, you might want to look into the filming locations for the upcoming season or check out the latest interviews where they discuss the final chapters of the Pogue saga.