In 2020, a dubious show about a group of friends embarking on a legendary treasure hunt in their North Carolina seaside town premiered on Netflix. It quickly became a huge hit, changing the lives of the young cast practically overnight. Now in the third season, Outer bands remains one of the streamer’s most popular and anticipated shows. It’s the gift of endless adventure to give, especially to star Madison Bailey.
Kiara—or Kie, as she was affectionately called by her group of friends, Pogues—is not just another figure on Bailey’s ever-expanding IMDb résumé. The 24-year-old has truly grown up alongside her passionate and loyal on-screen co-worker, and there’s a degree of comfort in literally returning to Kiara’s place every season. But it’s not just the familiarity that makes her so special to Bailey. That’s what the character and the show did for the actress personally. “Obviously, all of my opportunities right now are rooted in the luck of being made Outer bands and timing of everything, but it also got me to act,” she shared with us on a Zoom call. “It showed me what I care about and that I don’t want to do comedy as much as I once thought.” Action, thriller and drama adventures come more naturally to Bailey. When season one of OBX premiered, people started comparing the actress to the likes of Michelle Rodriguez, which was a pleasant surprise for the North Carolina native. “I was like, ‘Wait, I do that for myself.’ It opened my eyes,” she said.
