Madeline Klein is a “sleepy girl.” Of course, that’s true. This summer she has two major films out. The first one was the expected “I know what you did last summer” and the second Prime Video romance, “The Map That Connects You.” By the time the latter came out, she returned to Charleston to film the fifth final season of “The Outer Banks.”
“I think it’s a bit difficult to manage it all. It’s my own fault. I definitely need an assistant. My wella ring says that I mainly need sleep and take care of myself,” Klein says in a Zoom interview. “It’s about prioritizing yourself while learning how to interact with everything. Sometimes I feel like I’m always catching up. It’s a bit difficult to focus myself in the middle of it.
Currently she is in the pain of the “outer bank” and may film until December or January 2026, depending on whether the storm slows production or not. In our conversation, we discuss her very busy years, whether she’ll take a vacation, whether she’ll play pregnant Sarah Cameron in Season 5, and whether the “OBX” pair she hopes will be over.
You’re moving non-stop. How do you handle all of this?
Filming “outer banks” is always physically taxed and I don’t think it will take time for me. This is something I love. I love being able to spend time alone or recharge quietly. That was definitely not the theme of this year. But it is ultimately very fulfilling, and it is a great lesson that you want to abandon all your needs and control the outcome and situation. I simply can’t. I think that’s a really good life lesson to always come back. I’m mostly really tired. I’ve always been a very sleepy girl!
Start with a map that connects you. What did you say to you “yes” to this?
The first time I read it, it sobbed me out of control. I was really obsessed with Heather and Jack because I thought the story was really, really beautiful. But I love good romances, I love good love stories and I think theirs is really special.
KJ APA is excellent as a jack and your chemistry is amazing. How did you find that bond?
From our chemistry, KJ was Jack and we knew it was Step 1. And once we got there, step 2 was to live in these adventures with these characters on. The line between reality and the story has begun to become a bit blurry. We also gave ourselves experiences and travel. I think it’s when you know that things are working. Energy felt that it was all sorts of collusion. The experience itself is special and it is difficult to not translate.
What did you think about the ending?
Personally, I love the vague ending. I like to cry, I like to cry. I like to go into a downward spiral for catharsis. I think the inconclusive outcome is more personal, as it allows you to layer your own thoughts and feelings. I was also a huge fan of the even more vague alternative ending. There were a lot of conversations about how leaning towards the imagination. I was completely at the corner of the station, imaginary.
So is there a chance we can get a sequel?
In fact, we’re kidding about it. And one of our producers, Marty Bowen, jokingly gave me a plot. I don’t want to ruin it, but it’s really funny. It leaps towards “com” rather than “ROM”.
Johnny Marlow
You said before, “Nostalgia is overrated.” But “I know what you did last summer” was nostalgic for many of us!
“I know what you did last summer,” despite it being a sequel to the Legacy, but it’s still its own. They also brought such a great camp. It was really fun to shoot.
What do you think it’s in the world now? Have you read the reviews?
Sometimes I get more curious and probably want some reviews. If I feel a bit of self-loathing, maybe I’ll even read bad things. Ultimately, what I love is that people are very passionate about what they like or don’t like. They have an opinion and everyone is entitled to it.
There’s a scene between Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.
In fact, no. I first met her at the premiere. Some of our times were overlapping, but we were like passing by a boat at night. We had such a tough schedule. Everything was wrapped, so especially our legacy cast member – Super Top Secret. She was so sweet I approached her at the premiere and I was like, “Hello, mom. mom!”
Its ending is set for a sequel, with most women still alive! Have you talked about what it looks like?
No, we’re not talking about it at all. We laughed a lot about it and we talked about what is funny but cool, but officially it wasn’t.
Can I ask a plot question? Why didn’t someone pick them up in the hospital?
I don’t know! At least Danica’s parents were in her first bridal shower. My parents were like an afterthought.
“Outer Bank”
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
OK, let’s jump into the “Outer Bank.” Production began in season 5. Do you feel that it’s not true to know that you’re filming the final season?
Besides the obvious change, it is definitely already different. But there is definitely some nostalgia to know that this is the final move. There is definitely bittersweet energy.
Is there a time jump?
Actually, no. We’ll pick it up as soon as Season 4 ends. There’s one big jump in all five, but just like last season, everything happens in such a short time. It feels like it’s going to be such a huge, months-long adventure, but it doesn’t take much time in practice. I think this follows the same formula.
At the end of season 4, Sarah finds out she’s pregnant. What can you say about her journey this season?
Well, I’m not wearing a baby bump. No one knows, “Where is the baby?” I’m not jumping over the wall, thrown out from the back of the boat, sprinting at full speed from the bad guys with a silicon baby bump. When I said yes to this storyline, that was one provision for me. “Don’t do that to me in the summer heat of South Carolina.” For most of July, the heat index was 100-116.
When did you say it at the ending?
I knew they wanted to end from the start – not a complete summary, but I remember when we filmed the first season one. I asked (co-creator) Jonas Patty if he knew how the story would end.
Let’s talk about the romance of the show. With Rudy Pankou gone, people really want Rafe (Drew Starkey) and Chiara (Madison Bailey) to come together. What do you think about that?
i hate it. I really don’t want to yak anyone’s yam, but I think it’s actually really yak. Just because you have a single character doesn’t mean you have to get it with anyone, not particularly your mentally ill brother. But maybe it’s me alone! I understand – I’m also a girl who says, “I can fix him.” Understood. I was there. We were all there. But I just don’t think Rafe Cameron is for Kiara. She’s better. He deserves a therapist.
Saying that she’s single is what you really like and that doesn’t mean she needs to be paired.
That’s one thing I really don’t like! Sometimes we refuse to pass the Beckdel test just because there is one girl. A lot has happened to her. She went through so many things, and I think I’m downplaying all the explorations of sadness, and essentially her whole arc, to throw her into the storyline of the relationship. Chiara has always been a very strong character and I love watching her explore into her powers. I know there are shippers – they keep saying that and we keep saying no!
Would you like to take a break after the “outer bank”?
I say I will, but I feel like I need to find work if I’m sitting down and too quiet.
This interview was compiled and condensed.
