Outer Banks fans speculate that Rudy Pankow, Madison Bailey used stunt doubles for mid-feud hug scene

Fans of Netflix’s ‘Outer Banks’ are speculating that stunt doubles were used for a scene involving cast members Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey, sparking rumors of an off-screen feud. The rumors began after the season four finale, when a pivotal scene between Pankow’s character JJ and Bailey’s character Kiara showed them cuddling, but camera angles ensured they never appeared on screen together. This has led fans to believe that double acting was used, with some calling the scene “bizarre” and pointing out apparent tension between the actors.

Fans have taken to social media to discuss the scene, with one viewer tweeting: “This is just insane, the fact that Rudy and Madison refused to film it together and they had to use a stunt double shows their unprofessionalism .” Others criticized the apparent discomfort between the two actors, writing: “Rudy and Madison can’t handle being actors BC (because) WTH (what the heck) do you mean stunt doubles to put on someone’s shoulder?”

The alleged tension is reportedly linked to previous fan theories surrounding the characters of Kiara and JJ, which may have caused unrest between the actors and their respective real-life partners. Another fan commented, “What happened between Madison and Rudy that was so bad they can’t even be in scenes together?”

The show, which follows a group of teenagers on a treasure hunt, has yet to address that speculation. Season four ended with JJ’s tragic death, a plot twist that some fans believe may relate to these rumors of tension. According to StyleCaster, speculation about a possible rift between the two actors reportedly began last year after a cast dinner that included Pankow’s girlfriend, Elaine Siemek, after which social media reportedly arose among cast members. Netflix has announced that ‘Outer Banks’ will return for a fifth and final season in 2025.