Netflix's 'Outer Banks' Cast Talks Sticking Up for Trans Rights

Before filming of Netflix's latest coming-of-age/adventure series Outer Banks even began, the show was already making headlines (in the best way) for moving its production from North Carolina to its downstate neighbor South Carolina. But why, you ask, would a whole TV show have to move locations at the last minute, especially since it's based on actual, iconic southern destination? Well, for good reason: to protest HB 142, the state's awful, anti-trans bathroom bill that legally barred transgender people from using restroom facilities that match their gender identity. 

PRIDE's editor-in-chief Raffy Ermac got to sit down with the fresh-faced cast of the new teen action/drama show—including queer actress Madison Bailey, Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Jonathan Daviss, and Rudy Pankow—and chatted about the being part of a production that actually took a stand for marginalized people, being the new kids on the block when it comes to Netflix's slate of young adult shows, realistic depictions of teen lives on TV, and more!

"Being a part of the queer community, I'm really happy about that," Bailey said. "It's so hard to not just be like, "Yeah, we're just gonna film in North Carolina." And it's like, the fact that they stood up for that and made that important and put their foot down like, this is not what we stand for, this is not what we're doing and just move it somewhere else, like it's not that big of a deal. I really love that."

"What's great about the show is we're breaking molds," Cline added. "And so I think to be a part of a show that takes that seriously in the story as well as outside and making sure that everybody is included and a part of the story is important."

Season 1 of Outer Banks hits Netflix on April 15! Watch the official trailer in the video below!