Content warning: This article contains descriptions of alleged physical assault and workplace misconduct.
Jonas Pate, co-creator and director of Netflix’s hit series “Outer Banks,” has been accused of physically assaulting a young woman working as a production assistant on the show. According to sources who spoke to Variety, Pate allegedly grabbed and shook the PA while shouting in her face during production of the series’ fifth and final season in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Cast Members Intervened to Protect PA
According to a source familiar with the incident, “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes witnessed Pate’s alleged physical and verbal aggression toward the production assistant and immediately stepped in to separate them and protect the young woman. After Stokes intervened, fellow cast member Madelyn Cline also helped de-escalate the confrontation.
The swift action by Stokes and Cline to protect their colleague highlights the importance of bystander intervention in workplace situations involving aggression or potential harm. Production assistants, often early in their careers and occupying junior positions on set, can be particularly vulnerable to mistreatment by those in positions of power.
Netflix representatives did not respond to Variety’s request for comment regarding the allegations. The series is currently filming its final season in Croatia.
Context About Power Dynamics in Production
The alleged incident underscores ongoing concerns about power imbalances in the entertainment industry, where junior crew members may feel unable to speak up when subjected to mistreatment by directors, producers, or other senior figures. Production assistants frequently work long hours in demanding conditions and may fear professional retaliation if they report misconduct.
The fact that cast members felt compelled to physically intervene suggests the situation was serious enough to warrant immediate action to ensure the production assistant’s safety.
About “Outer Banks”
“Outer Banks” follows a group of teenagers living in a coastal town in North Carolina as they navigate love, friendship, and social divides while investigating why the ringleader’s father went missing. The series debuted on Netflix in 2020 and quickly became one of the platform’s most popular young adult dramas.
Netflix renewed the show for a fifth and final season in November 2024. The cast includes Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Drew Starkey, Carlacia Grant, Austin North, Fiona Palomo, J. Anthony Crane, and Cullen Moss.
Pate’s Career Background
Jonas Pate co-created “Outer Banks” alongside his twin brother Josh Pate and Shannon Burke. The trio also created Amazon Prime Video’s musical teen drama “The Runarounds.”
Pate launched his career writing and directing the 1996 thriller “The Grave.” He and his brother Josh went on to create the supernatural dramedy “G vs E” (later renamed “Good vs Evil”). His other television credits include “Surface,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Aquarius,” “Iron Fist,” and “New Amsterdam.”
The Importance of Safe Work Environments
This alleged incident comes amid broader industry discussions about workplace safety and the treatment of crew members, particularly those in entry-level positions. Organizations like the Hollywood Commission and various industry guilds have worked to establish clearer protocols for reporting misconduct and protecting workers from abuse.
Production assistants and other junior crew members play essential roles in bringing television and film projects to life, yet they often work in precarious positions with limited job security and may face challenges when reporting mistreatment by powerful figures.
The entertainment industry has made strides in recent years to address workplace misconduct, but incidents like this alleged assault serve as reminders that continued vigilance and systemic change remain necessary to protect all workers, regardless of their position in the production hierarchy.
TMZ first reported news of the allegations.
If you or someone you know has experienced workplace misconduct, resources are available through organizations like the Hollywood Commission (hollywoodcommission.org) and SAG-AFTRA’s harassment hotline.
