IN CONVERSATION WITH CAROLINE ARAPOGLOU

interview by JANA LETONJA

For the past seasons, Caroline Arapoglou has brought depth, complexity, and unpredictability to Rose Cameron, one of the most fascinating adult characters in Netflix’s global phenomenon Outer Banks. As the beloved series prepares for its highly anticipated final chapter, she finds herself reflecting on a journey that has spanned years of storytelling, a passionate worldwide fandom, and the evolution of a character constantly navigating family loyalty, privilege, ambition, and survival. Since the show’s debut, Outer Banks has become one of Netflix’s defining young adult dramas, turning its cast into global stars and creating a cultural footprint that extends far beyond the screen.

all photography by EMILIO MADRID

Outer Banks has been such a significant part of your life for the past several years. What was your reaction when you learned the series would conclude with this final season?

Really grateful. It’s bittersweet of course, and there is a lot about it that I’ll miss, but I just can’t believe we got to make this show for five seasons, with this cast, in such a beautiful city. It all feels a little bit like a dream, still. I have all of these pictures on my phone that look like I’m on a beautiful vacation and they are literally pictures out my trailer window. It was crazy. I’m just grateful for all of it.

Looking back to the beginning, did you have any sense of just how large and passionate the Outer Banks fanbase would become?

I remember seeing dailies or watching playback during season one. It was some shot at Tannyhill and the Pogues were running around goofing off and it was golden hour. I remember thinking it felt really magical. Like lightening in a bottle. I never could have predicted this, though.

Rose Cameron has evolved tremendously over the course of the series. How would you describe her journey from season one to where we find her now?

In the early seasons, season one in particular, Rose really existed as a bit of a Lady Macbeth for Ward. She was always nudging him in one direction or another in terms of securing the gold and protecting the family, but when push came to shove, Ward called the shots. In the final season, we really see her take over as the adult head of the Cameron family. She doesn’t have Ward to lean on anymore, and the stakes are very high, so she is really forced to step up and pick up the pieces and try to protect herself and the family at the same time.   

One of the most interesting things about Rose is that she often exists in morally complicated spaces. What do you think drives her decisions?

One of the things that the writers talked about with me early on was that Rose didn’t grow up in wealth, she’s from the cut. I have always thought of Rose as incredibly scrappy. This idea of financial security and power is everything to her and I think she’ll do anything to keep it. I’ve also always maintained that she truly is and was loyal to Ward. Their partnership was messy, but I always felt it was real at it’s core. The idea of playing their relationship as purely transactional and that she really didn’t care about Rafe, Wheezie and Sarah was never interesting to me. I think she does care about the kids, and securing the family as a whole is very important to her, even if her methods are a little questionable.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of playing a character who is constantly navigating shifting loyalties and difficult choices

It’s rewarding in general to play the same character and live in the same world for six years. To sustain her and this story over five seasons has been an exercise in focus and staying crystal clear on what she wants and where she’s coming from. Rose has been really rewarding from an acting perspective because there are her loyalties and chess moves on the surface, but she’s playing her own game internally. I just love her. I feel very defensive and protective of her.

Without giving away spoilers, what can fans look forward to from Rose in the final season?

Rose is in a position of power this season right off the bat, which was a really fun space to play in. And fans can expect to see a bit more of her vulnerable side as well, which I love.

During the run of the series, you also became a mother of two. How has that life experience influenced your perspective on work, storytelling, and family dynamics?

There were more than a couple of days on set where I was running to my trailer at wrap to make it onto a flight that would get me home before bedtime. There was one day we had some fans of the show gathered outside of our trailers. I met these lovely girls and about half and hour later, I was racing through the airport onto a flight and they were on the same flight. They were like “Didn’t we just take a picture of you as Rose like thirty minutes ago?” So logistically, there was much more back and forth for me this season. From a storytelling standpoint, I have always felt that deep down Rose really cared about her step kids, and I think we see that more this final season.

You’ve worked across television, film, and theater throughout your career. What has Outer Banks taught you that you’ll carry into future projects?

Rose is such a powerful presence and even when she is scared or sad or doesn’t know what she’s doing, she really puts on a brave face and remains really poised. She taught me that faking it until you make it actually works. If I had a day where I wasn’t feeling confident or I was tired or it was a night shoot or I was pregnant and sick, I’d put her heels on and just kind of turn it on, and by the time I wrapped, I actually felt better. She taught me that confidence is more of a practice than a feeling.

What do you hope fans remember most about Rose Cameron when they think back on the series years from now?

They call me mother or mom and I love it. I hope they always think of her as mother.

As one chapter closes, what kinds of stories or creative challenges are you most excited to pursue next?

I am dying to do a comedy. And to get back on stage. This chapter was so beautiful and I just feel really thankful for it. I’m so excited to take everything I’ve learned from Rose and from this cast and crew and carry it with me into whatever is next.