The sun has set on one of Outer Banks’ brightest stars. In the season 4 finale of Netflix’s teen adventure series, JJ Maybank, played by Rudy Pankow, meets a tragic end at the hands of his biological father, Chandler Groff. The shocking twist came during a tense confrontation in Morocco, where JJ sacrifices himself to save Kiara from Groff’s deadly grip.
“Take care of the others… I love you, Kie,” were JJ’s final words, delivered in Kiara’s arms after being fatally stabbed by Groff. The scene marks a defining moment in the series’ history, leaving fans worldwide processing the loss of the show’s most loyal Pogue.
Outer Banks creators Shannon Burke, Josh Pate, and Jonas Pate revealed this outcome was planned from the beginning. “We had thought that it was going to be JJ basically from the beginning,” Burke told Teen Vogue. “For a long time, we had known that someone was going to die.”
The showrunners crafted JJ’s arc with careful consideration. “We wanted his arc to be as emotional and tragic as possible,” Burke explained. “You start out with this character who’s done crazy things—who robbed a drug dealer of $30,000 and bought his friends a hot tub—and done increasingly insane things, but it’s always for the group.”
Pankow approached his character’s death with professional grace. “When I first found out that JJ was going to risk it all and not make it, I understood it,” he shared in Netflix’s behind-the-scenes footage. “And the risks got bigger and bigger, and the stakes got higher and higher.’
In his statement to Tudum, Pankow expressed gratitude to fans: “To all the fans that show so much support and love for JJ, I just want to say thank you. It really did make an impact on me, playing him. It’s been an honor to bring him to life for you guys, and it’s been a joy to play him. And P4L!”
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The death sets up major narrative threads for the show’s fifth and final season. Josh Pate indicated that both Kiara and Rafe will be “consumed with revenge” following JJ’s death. The showrunners also addressed speculation about potential romantic developments between Rafe and Kiara, with Jonas Pate expressing reservations while Josh Pate acknowledged the actors’ chemistry.
Industry speculation has emerged regarding Pankow’s departure. In August 2024 prior to the finale’s release, Pankow spoke to Backstage about his future beyond the series: “I’m so thankful to be in this position… to be working on this craft with these characters. But I know that’s not going to last forever. I’m capable of trusting that it’s gonna be OK no matter how busy I am, or how not busy I am.”
The series continues to dominate Netflix’s viewership. Season 4, Part 1 claimed the #1 spot in Netflix’s Global Top 10 English TV following its October 10 release, maintaining top 10 status across 74 countries for three weeks. Across all seasons, Outer Banks has accumulated 27 weeks in the global Top 10 English TV List.
Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions from devastated viewers, many expressing denial and hope for a supernatural twist in season 5. The emotional impact of JJ’s death has sparked countless theories and tributes from the show’s dedicated fanbase.
The pivotal death scene takes place during the feature-length finale – a first for the series – in Morocco. The sequence involves the recovery of Blackbeard’s Blue Crown, culminating in the fatal confrontation between JJ and Groff. The scene’s staging emphasizes JJ’s ultimate choice between treasure and friendship, with his final moments focusing on his connection with Kiara rather than the crown.
