Outer Banks has been the talk of the town since it first set sail on Netflix. It's got everything from treasure hunts to rivalries to heartfelt friendships. At the heart of it are the Pogues.
Led by John B (Chase Stokes), the Pogues navigate the challenges between the affluent Kooks and their scrappy lives. Their bond is unbreakable. They are fueled by dreams of finding hidden treasures and escaping their challenging circumstances.
But as Outer Banks Season 4 ends on Netflix, one major character bids goodbye. The latest season goes deep into JJ's past.
Let's look into what happened to Rudy Pankow's character in the latest season and the reasons behind Rudy's exit from the teen adventure show.
Disclaimer: This article contains snippets and spoilers for Outerbanks Season 4. Reader discretion is advised.
JJ Maybank in Outer Banks
If you're not fully up to speed, let's start with a quick rundown on JJ. Since Outer Banks first premiered, JJ has been the wild, daring spirit of the Pogues. He's had his fair share of trouble, from brawling to breaking rules.
However, in season 4, the show peels back more layers. It reveals a secret about JJ's family. It turns out he's technically a Kook.
JJ had been living the Pogue life with pride. Then, he finds out his real father, Chandler Groff, is wealthy. This discovery shakes him to the core. But why wasn't JJ living in a mansion with his Kook dad? That's where the show spills some serious tea.
Chandler Groff, JJ's biological dad, left JJ with Luke Maybank. He pretended to be JJ's father for money. Well, not exactly father-of-the-year behavior. Luke might've been abusive, but at least he didn't try to kill JJ, which can't quite be said for Groff.
If you've watched the Outer Banks Season 4 finale, you know the shocking end. In a gut-wrenching twist, JJ meets a tragic end. He gets stabbed by Groff and bleeds out.
JJ's character, always willing to take risks, ultimately risks too much. Rudy shared with Netflix's Tudum about JJ's mindset:
“For JJ, he has to judge every moment in his life, if it’s worth it [to take the risk], and I think it’s constantly, yeah, it is for him. Even throughout the pain and the suffering and the struggles for JJ, it’s worth it for him to go to that length. He lives his life to the utmost fullest, and I don’t think he regrets any part of it.”
Is JJ really gone from Outer Banks?
For JJ fans, unfortunately, it's a bittersweet goodbye. In reflecting on JJ's character, Rudy admitted:
“When I first found out JJ was gonna risk it all and not make it, I understood it. And the risks got bigger and bigger, and the stakes got higher and higher. [It was a] huge honor to portray a character so beautiful and selfless.”
The show's creators, Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke, had always planned for JJ's story to end this way. Josh Pate told Netflix's Tudum:
“JJ’s death was a hard but necessary piece of the architecture for the story, and we plan on honoring that as much as we can because we love the character as much as the fans do. And Rudy’s a great friend of ours.”
He also shared that the plan for Outer Banks Season 5 is to explore the impact of JJ's passing on the remaining Pogues. It sets the stage for a final season.
So, while the show's storyline played a significant role in JJ's departure, there's also a sense that Rudy Pankow is ready to explore new roles. Playing JJ has been a life-changing experience for him.
But as he said in interviews, he's excited to see what the future holds, even if that means saying goodbye to Outer Banks.
Also read: How to become a Pogue in Netflix's Outer Banks? Make Me A Pogue UI explored
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