Since she was just 21 years old, people have been approaching Madison Bailey on the street to talk to her about her starring role on Outer Banks. 

The actor, who portrays the fierce and free-thinking Kiara Carrera throughout the series’ five-season run, says many of those interactions start the same way. “I get a lot of people being like, ‘Kiara, sorry I don’t know your real name.’ ” But that has never bothered the now-27-year-old. “I’m like, ‘No, I’m an actor.’ ”

That’s not to say that Bailey hasn’t become wildly famous off the smashing success of the series. She now has close to 20 million followers across social media platforms, but for this artist — that’s how her page is categorized on Instagram — attention in that arena isn’t the goal. “My Instagram’s an afterthought,” she says during her episode of Outer Banks: The Official Podcast. “Like, follow me if you want, but I'm happy you see me as that character. The day you only see me as Madison, I have to pick a new career.” In fact, as the show that Bailey basically grew up on comes to a close, she’s not quite ready to completely close the door on her Pogue persona. “See me as Kiara for a little longer,” she says in a jokey plea to fans. 

Even at her young age, Bailey recognizes how special the experience of being on Outer Banks has been. “I’m going to miss Charleston, for sure. Our sunset boat rides. Just the boat days in general. What a day to call work, you know?” Though they wrapped production in December, on what Bailey refers to as a “crybaby day” — “I remember sobbing the whole day. I mean, we couldn’t get it together” — in the months leading up to the Season 5 premiere, Bailey knew it wouldn’t truly feel over until all the episodes were out in the world. 

“I think the goodbye is after the fans have seen it, and they get their goodbye. It’s like a collective goodbye,” she explains. And what does she think the legacy of the show will be long after that collective goodbye? “I think we taught a couple lessons in loyalty, in embracing diversity, and giving people second chances. Treasure, schmeasure.” Of course the Blue Crown, El Dorado, or even the Merchant Gold were never the most important discoveries the Pogues made along the way. 

Beyond the lessons, though, Bailey wants Outer Banks’ devoted audience to feel satisfied with the series’ conclusion. Because they’ve earned it. “I just hope they love it, and I hope that these characters stay as special to them as they are to us,” she says. Then, speaking directly to the fans, she adds: “Our days are hard. We work really long hours and do some really tough things, so thank you for your support. Five seasons, seven years is a long time to love anything, so if you’re still with us, thank you.” 

But Bailey’s not just grateful to the OBX enthusiasts, she’s also one of them. “I think out of all of us, she is the biggest fan inside and out of the show,” Chase Stokes, who plays John B, says of his co-star and close friend. “She loves this universe in a way that is so, so deep for her and has shown up beyond measure for the world of Outer Banks.”

It’s not just that she came of age alongside a large portion of the show’s viewers or that she greatly admires her character’s strong sense of self. Bailey also feels so attached to the OBX universe because of the relationships she’s formed with her castmates. “Twenty to 27? That's growing up with these people. You have your school friends, and then these are the first people you build bonds with in your adult life. It’s just really important. This is a bond for life,” she says. “We really are the only people who understand exactly what we have and exactly what we went through.”

Bailey credits her fellow cast members for helping her grow as an actor, a scene partner, and a friend. “Reflecting on how much work we put into this show, I feel proud of us and all we accomplished,” she says. “We’re all coming out on the other side stronger for sure.” Like their Pogue counterparts, their connection wasn’t forged through hard work alone. When asked what she’ll miss the most about working with her co-stars, Bailey responds immediately: “All-day shenanigans. They’re part of the reason why we’re all coming out stronger on the other end,” she explains. “We’ve just really all taken every challenge with a good attitude and a we-gotta-get-through-it spirit.” 

And isn’t having fun the whole goal of being a Pogue? Bailey thinks so. “It’s P4L. Always.”

Watch all five seasons of Outer Banks on Netflix now.

Watch The Outer Banks Cast Get Real About Auditions and Fame