Outer Banks Star Reveals Near-Fatal Health Battle

Chase Stokes, widely recognized for his role as John B. in the popular Netflix series Outer Banks, recently shared the extent of a significant health crisis he endured. Following the show's meteoric rise, Stokes experienced critical health issues, including liver and kidney failure, as well as mental health challenges. He candidly stated, 'My liver was failing, my kidney was failing. I had so many health issues that I had to figure out, and my brain was all out of whack.'

Instead of immediately pursuing new acting opportunities, Stokes chose to step away from the spotlight for intensive therapy and medical care. This period involved regular blood tests, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, and addressing alarmingly low testosterone levels. He described this time as a 'late quarter-life crisis,' necessary for him to reconnect with his identity outside of his character and to recover his physical and mental baseline. Stokes emphasized the importance of this self-care, noting, 'I probably, unfortunately, wouldn't have been around much longer if I didn't take care of my body.'

Now feeling closer to his true self after extensive work, Stokes is preparing to embark on new ventures. He is set to make his directorial debut with 'I Told the Sunset About You' and will star in AMC's upcoming NASCAR series, 'Thunder Road.' He expressed both excitement and trepidation about these new roles, acknowledging the comfort of his previous 'safe space' on Outer Banks while anticipating the challenges of a different artistic landscape. The actor also reflected on the immense success of Outer Banks, calling it 'a monster' and a globally impactful show that offered hope during a confusing time in history.