"Saying Goodbye to a Sister": Drew Starkey Reflects on Emotional Final Days of ‘Outer Banks’
As the sun sets on the Pogues’ adventures, the cast of the hit Netflix series Outer Banks is grappling with the bittersweet reality of life after the show. For actors Drew Starkey and Madelyn Cline, who have portrayed the complicated sibling dynamic of Rafe and Sarah Cameron since the show’s 2020 debut, the final curtain call was more than just a wrap on a production—it was a deeply personal farewell.
A Final, Heart-Wrenching Goodbye
In the final season, the characters of Rafe and Sarah are forced to part ways under dire circumstances. With Rafe and Sofia on the run and wanted by the authorities, Rafe is forced to flee Kildare, leaving behind a poignant message for his sister. In a scene that resonated with fans, Rafe tells Sarah, “I’m sorry for everything that happened. I really am, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to come back here again, so I’m not going to be able to see your baby.”
For the actors behind the characters, the emotional weight of that dialogue was all too real. Speaking to PEOPLE, Starkey revealed that the lines felt like a proxy for his own feelings toward his co-star. "In that moment, it felt like I was saying goodbye to one of my sisters. It felt like I was saying goodbye to her," he shared.
More Than Just Co-Stars
Starkey and Cline have spent years navigating the intense, often volatile relationship between their characters, and that shared history created a profound bond off-screen. Starkey emphasized that the final scene between the two was one of the most difficult to film, as the lines between fiction and reality began to blur.
"It felt very honest," Starkey said. "I love Maddie, and Maddie and I have been through a lot together. I mean, God, I’ve loved working with Maddie. I’ve loved our friendship. So yeah, that moment felt very much like Drew and Madelyn saying goodbye to each other."
An Overwhelming End of an Era
The emotional toll of the show’s conclusion was felt by the entire production team. Starkey admitted that he struggled to hold back tears as the reality of the show’s end hit him. He credited the production team for orchestrating a meaningful final day that allowed the entire cast and crew to share in the transition together.
"Our showrunners and our unit production manager crafted it in a way where everyone would be on set together for that last day, and we had our whole crew out there," he recalled. "Really, I think it was just seeing all these faces that I’d seen almost every day for the better part of seven years, and the realization that it was coming to an end was incredibly overwhelming."
As Drew Starkey moves forward, he leaves behind an iconic role that has cemented his place in the hearts of Outer Banks fans. For those looking to relive the journey, all five seasons of the series are currently available to stream on Netflix.
