The internet is currently having a collective meltdown. If you’ve finished the Part 2 finale of Outer Banks Season 4, you know exactly why. The question of whether is jj going to be in season 5 isn't just a casual fan theory anymore; it’s a matter of narrative life and death that has Pogue fans everywhere staring at their screens in pure, unadulterated shock.
Rudy Pankow’s portrayal of JJ Maybank has always been the beating, bruised heart of the show. He’s the loose cannon with a heart of gold, the kid who had nothing but would give everything for his friends. But after those final moments in Morocco, the vibes are... heavy. Honestly, they’re devastating. We need to talk about what actually happened, what the creators have said, and why the "No JJ, No OBX" movement is taking over social media.
The Morocco Incident: Why Everyone Is Asking Is JJ Going to Be in Season 5
Let’s get the brutal part out of the way first. Season 4, Episode 10, "The Blue Crown," didn't pull any punches. After a season spent grappling with his biological identity and the revelation that he’s actually the son of Chandler Groff—not Luke—JJ finally found the Blue Crown. He had it. He had the win. But in a moment that defined his entire character arc, he chose his friends over the treasure.
Then Chandler Groff did the unthinkable.
Seeing JJ get stabbed was one thing. Watching the Pogues sob over his body while the wind howled through the Moroccan dunes was another entirely. Usually, in a show like Outer Banks, characters have a miraculous way of surviving the impossible. John B has survived alligator bites and plane crashes. Sarah Cameron literally died and was brought back to life in a basement. But this felt different. It felt final. The emotional weight of that scene, coupled with the "In Memory of JJ" vibes of the closing shots, makes the question of is jj going to be in season 5 feel like a desperate plea for a retcon.
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What Josh Pate and Shannon Burke Have Confirmed
Usually, showrunners play coy. They love to say things like, "Anything is possible in the OBX." Not this time. Creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke have been uncomfortably clear in their post-finale interviews. They’ve described JJ’s death as a "architectural" necessity for the final season.
Basically, they wanted to raise the stakes to the highest possible level. To them, JJ was the most beloved character, and losing him provides the "fuel" for the Pogues' mission in the fifth and final season. It’s a revenge story now. They aren't just hunting treasure anymore; they're hunting Groff.
It’s a bold move. Maybe too bold? Some fans think killing off the show's most popular character right before the finish line is a mistake. However, from a writing perspective, the creators are doubling down on the tragedy. They want Season 5 to be an emotional gauntlet. So, if you're looking for a "he was actually wearing a Kevlar vest" twist, the official word from the top isn't giving us much hope.
Rudy Pankow’s Exit: The Real-World Factor
We can’t talk about whether is jj going to be in season 5 without looking at the actor behind the character. Rudy Pankow has been the subject of exit rumors for nearly two years. Fans noticed he wasn't always present in group press junkets, and rumors of "on-set tension" have been a staple of TikTok gossip for ages. While most of that is just noise, Rudy’s own comments about the finale suggest he was ready for this ending.
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In his recent interviews, Rudy spoke about JJ as a "meteor" that was always meant to burn out bright. He seemed at peace with the character's sacrifice. If an actor is ready to move on to film projects or theater, a dramatic death in the penultimate season is the perfect exit ramp.
Will he appear in flashbacks?
This is the loophole. Even if JJ is biologically dead, it is almost certain he will appear in Season 5 via flashbacks or hallucinations. Outer Banks loves a montage. John B is likely going to be haunted by his best friend’s memory throughout the hunt for Groff in Lisbon. We might see never-before-seen moments from their childhood or even scenes that took place during the "eighteen-month jump" we saw at the end of Season 3. So, while JJ might not be "in" Season 5 as an active member of the treasure hunt, Rudy Pankow’s face will almost certainly still be part of the production in some capacity.
The Fan Backlash and the "Save JJ" Campaign
The reaction to the finale was instantaneous. Within hours, "No JJ No OBX" was trending globally. Fans are pointing to the fact that JJ's character arc felt incomplete. He just found out his real mother was Larissa Genrette. He just started to understand his heritage. To cut that short feels, to many, like a waste of potential.
There is a small, vocal group of theorists who believe the show is pulling a "Sherlock." They argue that because we didn't see a funeral or a grave—only a makeshift burial in the desert—there’s a 1% chance he was saved by a local or that the wound wasn't fatal. But let's be real: that's a reach. The creators' interviews were pretty definitive. They called it a "sacrifice." You don't call it a sacrifice if the guy just needs a couple of stitches and some Ibuprofen.
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How Season 5 Changes Without JJ Maybank
The dynamic of the Pogues is fundamentally broken now. JJ was the glue, even when he was the one causing the mess.
- Rafe’s Redemption (or lack thereof): Rafe and JJ had a strange, mirrored relationship. With JJ gone, Rafe’s path to joining the Pogues (which was hinted at in the finale) becomes way more complicated.
- Kiara’s Grief: Kiara just lost the person she loved. Her character in Season 5 will likely be driven by a dark, singular focus on vengeance. We’ve seen "Kook Protester" Kiara, but "John Wick" Kiara is a whole different story.
- The Final Treasure: The Blue Crown is in Lisbon. Groff is the target. The stakes are no longer about getting rich; they’re about justice.
The show is going to feel darker. More adult. The "Pogue life" was always about the "full send" and having a good time, but it’s hard to have a good time when your best friend is buried in the Sahara.
The Logistics of Season 5 Production
Filming for Season 5 hasn't fully kicked into high gear yet, but the scripts are being finalized. We know this is the end. The Pates have stated that they always envisioned this as a five-season story. If JJ is truly gone, Season 5 will be a 10-episode funeral procession mixed with a high-octane heist.
The question of is jj going to be in season 5 also brings up the "ghost" factor. Shows like 13 Reasons Why or The Vampire Diaries often kept dead leads around as literal ghosts or visions. While Outer Banks has stayed relatively grounded (well, as grounded as a show about teen treasure hunters can be), the emotional bond between John B and JJ is strong enough that "vision JJ" isn't out of the question.
Actionable Takeaways for OBX Fans
If you're struggling to process the finale, here is what you can actually do to stay in the loop and prepare for the final chapter:
- Watch the "Aftershow" Interviews: Check out the official Netflix Tudum interviews with Rudy Pankow and the Pates. They provide the most direct context for why this creative decision was made.
- Follow the Production Leaks: As filming begins in 2025, keep an eye on set photos from Charleston and potential international locations. If Rudy Pankow is spotted on set, we’ll know those flashbacks are happening.
- Re-watch Season 4 with the "End" in Mind: Knowing JJ’s fate changes how you see his interactions with Pope and Kiara in the earlier episodes. His recklessness feels more like a subconscious goodbye.
- Lower Expectations for a Resurrection: To avoid further heartbreak, it’s best to take the showrunners at their word for now. Prepare for a Season 5 that focuses on the legacy of JJ Maybank rather than his survival.
The reality is that Outer Banks will never be the same. Whether you think it’s a brilliant narrative choice or a total betrayal of the audience, the JJ Maybank we knew is, for all intents and purposes, gone. The final hunt is about to begin, and it's going to be a lonely one for the Pogues.