Chase Stokes Feels Pressure to Maintain Surfer Physique for 'Outer Banks' (Exclusive)

Chase Stokes' career continues to take off, but he will always be proud of it Outer Banks roots.

The 32-year-old actor experienced an exciting crash with the Netflix release Ugly in September and the upcoming fourth season of the treasure hunt adventure Outer Bankswhich will be published on the platform in two parts from October 10th.

In season 4, Stokes will once again take on the role of John B, a free-spirited “Pogue” who is always looking for a new adventure with his close-knit group of friends – and is also an extremely fit surfer. The look isn't necessarily easy to maintain, but staying true to the character means respecting the “super-slim” physique he's meant to represent, Stokes tells PEOPLE.

“I just want to represent myself in a natural way, take care of my body and present it to the world,” he says at a Brooks Running event for the new Glycerin Max shoe. “I don't want to appear on screen and look like I'm not taking care of myself because I think that's kind of disrespectful and discredits the show and the audience that's watching.”

Ahead of the show's big return, Stokes teamed up with Brooks as they launched their new shoe, the Glycerin Max. The partnership felt like a natural fit for the actor as he has “always loved running in some form” and the shoe has become his “go-to” when running, he says.

“They’re also incredibly comfortable,” he says Tell me your secrets Actor says. “I find myself walking around the house in them and I think, oh yeah, they're still on my feet. Interesting. Take off your shoes, Chase, you’re inside.”

Although his career is taking him to new heights, Stokes says he will always be grateful for this opportunity Outer Banks took care of him and transformed him from a kid living in his car into a budding Hollywood star.

“You can’t hit the hand that fed you,” Stokes says. “You cannot discredit or disrespect the thing that has given you not only the opportunity but the ability to live a life that I never thought possible.”

He adds that breaking into a young adult show was always very important to him in the early days of his career, as many of the actors who have found longevity in their careers started out similarly. When Outer Banks He knew this was his chance – and five years later he wouldn't change a thing.

“I would never make fun of the show for giving me the opportunity to live the life I have,” he says. “I will always be grateful to this show and our showrunners for taking a risk on a guy who had little to no credits on his resume.”

Stokes isn't the only cast member whose career has skyrocketed since the series premiered in April 2020. Co-stars like Madelyn Cline and Drew Starkey have worked on successful projects like 2022's Glaszwiebel: A knife-out crime thriller for Cline and for Starkey 2024 Strangewhich is now playing at festivals (“His talent is something wonderful. I’m super proud,” Stokes says of his close friend).

But despite all their recent impressive achievements, the main cast is excited to get back together to film the show that started it all, says Stokes.

“I think friendships change like everything in life. People go to different places, life takes you to different places,” he says. “But no matter where life has taken us, our safe space has always been the hallmark. It’s always felt like the world is getting big and a little crazy, the world of.” Outer Banks is like returning to your bed after a trip.”

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Outer Banks Season 4, Part 1 will be released on Netflix on October 10th, Part 2 will be released on November 7th.