Why Outer Banks Fans Think Costars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey Used Stunt Doubles Amid Rumored Rift

Outer Banks fans believe they've hunted down a treasure chest of drama. 

Rumors of a feud between Rudy Pankow (who plays Jackson "JJ" Maybank on the Netflix series) and Madison Bailey (Kiara Carrera) began circulating after season four viewers pointed out that it appeared the costars—who are romantic partners onscreen—used body doubles to film a PDA-filled scene in the finale. 

During the episode 10 moment, Kiara rested her head on JJ's shoulder while they sat around the campfire with the rest of the Pogues, including Madelyn Cline's Sarah Cameron, Chase Stoke's John B Routledge, Jonathan Daviss' Pope Heyward and Carlacia Grant's Cleo Anderson. However, each time the camera cut to the couple, only one of their faces could be seen in the frame. 

Following the release of the finale, some viewers speculated that the edited shots were a sign there might have been some bad blood between Rudy and Madison on set, though sources have told multiple outlets that there is no feud. 

"This is just insane," one user wrote on X Nov. 7. "The fact that Rudy and Madison refused to record it together and they had to use stunt double just shows their unprofessionalism to their work. And they weren't even supposed to be doing anything huge in that scene, just hugging a bit."

"I've never seen actors put so much effort into avoiding each other," another added. "This is unreal."

Others argued that the multiple camera cuts were an artistic choice, with one fan writing, "The phrase 'The camera cuts' suggests a change in focus or transition, often seen in media or video production. It typically signals a shift in perspective or scene."

And some noted that, whether true or not, the castmates' alleged tension would all be in the past now, considering JJ was shockingly killed off at the end of the finale. 

As one user quipped, "LMAO... at least this won't happen anymore."

E! News reached out to reps for Neftlix, Rudy and Madison for comment on the allegations but has not heard back. 

And while neither actor has publicly addressed the stunt double theory or the rumor mill, Rudy has previously defended his real-life girlfriend Elaine Siemek—who he started dating in 2021—from online trolls who were disappointed to find out he wasn't dating Madison in real life. 

"To those who are creating such displeasure and opinions about the one I love and my relationship," Rudy wrote on Instagram in 2021, "it’s time to stop."

And as for Madison, who has been dating college basketball player Mariah Linney since 2020, she's fine with people rooting for JJ and Kiara—as long as they know their love story is fictional. 

"Madison and Kiara, and Rudy and JJ, are two different people," she told Entertainment Tonight in 2020. "Let's keep the ships on the show. But as far as the show, I'm all for it."