Calling all OBX fans! Part 1 of Outer Banks season 4 hit Netflix in October, and we already can’t get enough. Part 2, which is destined to be even crazier, will be released on November 7. Before Part 2 is released, we Facetimed with Mia Challis who plays the wild child Ruthie in Season 4 to learn more about joining the OBX cast, the audition process, and what it’s like playing a character very different from herself. 

The stakes are even higher for the Pogues in season 4 as they return to OBX and build their own “Poguelandia 2.0” to live together and run a bait and tackle shop. But after some financial setbacks, the group takes up Wes Genrette’s offer to find Blackbeard’s treasure and are drawn back into a whole new adventure. We won’t offer any spoilers but Part 2 will dive even deeper, with new crazy storylines, realizations, and relationship tests. 

Mia’s character Ruthie joins season 4 as a wild child with a toxic streak who develops a close relationship with Topper, and Mia revealed playing Ruthie was a completely different shift from herself and characters she has played in the past.

“I knew [Ruthie] was wild, I knew she was toxic and I knew she’d be a lot of fun to play.”

Mia, a Perth native, is no stranger to the entertainment world and has also starred in FBI: International and the 2021 mini series Clickbait. Outer Banks season 4 is not the only place you can catch Mia on the screen coming up, as she also recently wrapped a lead role as Gwen in Dan Phillips’ new horror feature DIABOLIC. Like most of us, Mia was already a fan of Outer Banks, having binged the first season during the pandemic. 

“Every romance on the show is so cute but I really like the friends to lovers [trope].”

We asked Mia about the audition process and she revealed she had a chemistry read over Zoom! She met with one of the show’s creators and writers Jonas Pate and also with Austin North, who plays Topper, and said it was so easy to develop a connection even through a screen. 

It can be nerve wracking as an actor joining a show later on but Mia said her first day on set of season 4, all the cast came up to her and introduced themselves and she felt instantly at home. Mia shared a lot of behind the scenes moments with many cast members, including working with Madison Bailey on that iconic and heart wrenching turtle scene, and you’ll just have to watch the interview to learn more!

“The first day I was on set of Outer Banks, everyone came up to me and said hello… They were just so kind and welcoming.”

Ruthie is far different from Mia’s bubbly and inviting personality, and she said playing Ruthie was the farthest she’s gone in playing a character that is a “villain”. She said it was a challenge but absolutely loved pushing herself outside her comfort zone.  

“I love to play characters that are very different from myself but I think Ruthie was the furthest I’ve gone.”

We obviously had to ask Mia what it was like working with the incredible cast, and she had nothing but nice things to say about every cast member, calling Rudy Pankow lovely and thoughtful, Madison Cline as very cool and fun to watch TikToks with, and Chase Stokes as a great professional and leader.

“The first word that comes to mind for [Chase Stokes] is a great leader. He sets the one and is kind and welcoming and the utmost professional.”

Thank you, Mia, for Facetiming with Young Entertainment! Make sure to follow her on her Instagram at @miachallis. Watch the rest of the interview where we ask her more about the filming process, working with the cast, and the best behind-the-scenes moments. While you’re there, be sure to like and subscribe to our channel for the latest news in young entertainment. 

Consider this:

• There is always a Take 2 for a scene if you need. You don’t need to be perfect all the time. Just take a deep breath, have confidence in yourself and know that mistakes happen and you can always redo a line when filming.
• Even if you are playing a character that is far different from yourself, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine while on set and getting to know your castmates. Your character does not define you.