Madison Bailey lands lead role in Cameron Van Hoy's noir thriller 'SoCal'

'Outer Banks' star Madison Bailey will lead 'SoCal', a 1990s noir thriller about a missing girl, secrets and murder

Madison Bailey, known for her role in Netflix's teen drama Outer Banks, has signed on to star in SoCal, a 1990s noir film written and directed by Cameron Van Hoy.

According to Deadline, the upcoming thriller is set in San Diego during the summer of 1999 and follows Ramona, played by Bailey, a clever and resourceful high school student who deals drugs. Her life takes an unexpected turn when the school's star quarterback hires her to find his missing girlfriend, Ashley Walker.

As Ramona investigates the disappearance, she uncovers secrets hidden beneath the seemingly perfect suburban community. The search gradually develops into a complicated story involving romance, desire, mystery and murder.

Van Hoy said SoCal draws inspiration from youth culture at the turn of the millennium, San Diego's atmosphere and classic noir cinema. The filmmaker described the project as a sun-soaked neo-noir exploring the beauty and dangers of youth, with first love and high school life at the centre of its story.

The film is being developed by Ardor Pictures, Ferrari Films, Live Nation Studios, Gulfstream Pictures and Luber Roklin Entertainment. Van Hoy will also produce the project alongside Stacy Kemp Ferrari, Matt Luber, Lena Roklin, Stella Bulochnikov, Jolene Rapino, Mike Karz, Bill Bindley and Blaine Kern III. Several other industry figures are attached as co-producers and executive producers.

Bailey played Kiara Carrera, also known as Kie, throughout the five-season run of Outer Banks, which concluded in August. Her other acting credits include Black Lightning, American Horror Stories and Maintenance Required.

Van Hoy previously directed the crime thriller Flinch and is associated with the upcoming addiction drama The Prince, featuring Scott Haze, Nicolas Cage and J.K. Simmons.

Further casting details and a release date for SoCal have not yet been announced.