Outer Banks star Chase Stokes admits his audition for Stranger Things was an absolute disaster. The 30-year-old actor reveals he was almost cast as Steve Harrington from the hit Netflix series, but the role eventually went to Joe Keery.
Chase Stokes
Steve Harrington is a fan-favorite character from the show. He was introduced as a popular guy from Hawkins High, and over the course of four seasons, fans have witnessed his character development.

Outer Banks’ Chase Stokes Reveals The Duffer Brothers Kickstarted His Career Despite Audition Mishap

In an interview with Access Hollywood at a recent Outer Banks fan event, Stokes reveals he messed up his audition:

“So I actually read for Steve Harrington and forgot all the lines and absolutely effed up the audition. I drove eight hours from Atlanta back to Orlando regretting every moment of my life on that.”

Despite the mishap, the Duffer Brothers gave Stokes a small role to compensate for the actor’s efforts. They took him in the first season and gave him the role of Reed, who never spoke a line in the show. Still, Stokes was grateful for the opportunity to join the cast.

“I’m just thankful for the Duffer brothers for giving me an opportunity to, like, do my job and start my career. I mean if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here, and the executive producers and the Netflix people who are part of that show were also part of Stranger Things. It’s a very full circle moment for me.”

Joe Keery as Steve Harrington from Netflix’s Stranger Things
The role of Steve Harrington ultimately went to Joe Keery, who is friends with Stokes. The latter shared his admiration for Keery and said that they talk once in a while.

“Joe Keery is an absolute legend, and he’s so damn good as Steve Harrington. I’m super proud of him, I’ve talked to him a little bit throughout the years.”

Every cloud has a silver lining, as the old adage goes, and this rings true for Stokes, who, after messing up his tryout for Stranger Things, landed the lead role in Netflix’s Outer Banks.

What Fans Should Expect From Outer Banks Season 3?

During the promotion for the third season of Outer Banks, Chase Stokes teased fans and told People that the new episodes will be full of surprises:

“I think they are going to be thoroughly impressed and relieved with certain things. And then other things are going to continue to keep them on the edge of their seat.”

Chase Stokes in Netflix’s Outer Banks
The actor remarked that he is quite drawn to his character, John B, for his tenacity to face problems head-on regardless of the obstacles that drag him down.

“It’s just a really cool narrative for young men to look at somebody who is flawed, who isn’t always right and makes mistakes and learns from them and tries to grow as a young man and to a better version of himself every time.”

Stokes shared that his favorite part of the show is the teamwork between the cast and crew. Collaborating with the same bunch of people from the first season up to the latest was an “incredible journey” for the Outer Banks actor.

Outer Banks Season 3 begins on February 23 only on Netflix.