‘Outer Banks’ Season 5: Everything We Know About the Explosive Final Chapter

It’s the end of an era for Netflix’s sun-soaked teen drama Outer Banks. The Pogues are gearing up for one last wild ride, and according to the show’s creators, they’re going out with a bang: “We think it will be our best yet.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the fifth and final season of Outer Banks—from cast updates to shocking plot twists and where the story heads next.

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Season 5: The Final Paddle Out

After wrapping up its jaw-dropping fourth season in November 2024, Outer Banks was officially renewed for one last chapter. Production is expected to kick off in early 2025 and run through the end of the year, meaning fans might have to wait until late 2026—or even 2027—for the series finale to hit Netflix.

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Confirmed Cast & Major Absence

Returning to the surf are:

• Madison Bailey as Kiara

• Carlacia Grant as Cleo

• Drew Starkey as Rafe

• Fiona Palomo as Sofia

Noticeably absent will be Rudy Pankow (JJ), whose character was tragically killed off in the season 4 finale—stabbed by his newly-discovered father, Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane), in a gut-wrenching twist set in Morocco. While flashbacks aren’t off the table, the creators made it clear: JJ’s death is the emotional backbone of this final season.

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What’s Season 5 About?

Season 5 will follow the Pogues as they cope with JJ’s death and vow to take down his murderer. Chandler Groff not only killed his own son but stole the sacred Blue Crown artifact and planned to sell it off in Portugal. Expect a Mediterranean adventure full of revenge, grief, and a race against time.

“The story is about redemption,” said co-creator Josh Pate. “We want to honor the friendship JJ represented. His death was painful, but it pushes the story where it needs to go.”

There’s also plenty of side drama simmering:

• Kiara and Cleo are taking center stage, with both characters finally getting the deeper development fans have been asking for.

• John B and Sarah dropped a bombshell of their own—Sarah’s pregnant—setting the stage for a new generation of Pogues.

• Pope is headed for the Marines, but still reeling from the trauma of killing Lightner in Season 4’s final arc.

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No Trailer Yet—Beware of Fakes

While fans are hungry for a teaser, there’s no official trailer for Season 5 just yet. Be cautious when browsing online, as many fan-made videos are falsely labeled as official previews.

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Outer Banks’ Future: ‘Kildare’ Prequel in the Works

Although Season 5 will close the book on John B and the crew, the Outer Banks universe isn’t done expanding. A prequel series titled Kildare is already in development. Set decades before the current timeline, it will focus on the origin of the class rivalry between the Pogues and the Kooks in Kildare County—offering a fresh cast and new conflicts.

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Final Words from the Creators

In an emotional letter to fans, showrunners Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke wrote:

“From the beginning, we imagined a five-season journey of adventure, treasure hunting, and friendship… Now, with a little sadness, but also excitement, we’re putting Season 4 behind us and turning to Season 5—where we plan to bring our beloved Pogues home.”

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One last surf, one final treasure, and a farewell to the island that changed everything. Outer BanksSeason 5 is coming—and it just might be the most unforgettable ride yet.