Does JJ die in Outer Banks season 4? Twist explained by showrunners

The new series of episodes follows the Pogues as they continue to search for Blackbeard’s Blue Crown so they can sell it and save their hometown: Poguelandia.

But a handful of terrifying enemies soon stand in their way: the Corsair pirates and JJ’s evil father, Chandler Groff (Tony Crane), two parties who want the treasure for themselves.

The quest ultimately culminates in a violent confrontation amid a sandstorm in Morocco, in which JJ (Rudy Pankow) appears to meet a disastrous end at the hands of Groff, who was revealed to be his biological father in Season 4 Part 1.

But it does Outdoor benchesJJ actually dies and actor Rudy Pankow leaves the show? Read on for everything the cast and crew have to say about the shocking season 4 end.

Does JJ actually die in Outer Banks season 4?

The season 4 finale seemed to reach its climax when JJ reached the top of a Moroccan statue in the middle of a violent sandstorm and eventually found Blackbeard’s Blue Crown.

But disaster struck when Groff showed up and held Kiara (Madison Bailey) at knifepoint, forcing JJ to trade the crown to save her life.

“I already have everything I ever wanted,” JJ told Groff before handing over the crown. “Things you’ll never have,” he added.

After faking an apology, an unexpected turn of events led to Groff deliberately and violently stabbing JJ, who bled and died in Kiara’s arms.

Is Rudy Pankow leaving Outer Banks?

Yes, Pankow is leaving the Outer Banks for good after his character’s death in the season 4 finale.

Pankow gave a heartfelt farewell, telling Netflix: “I want to leave the cast and crew with the deepest gratitude. It was so nice to come to work.

“This is by far the biggest thing I’ve ever done in (my) experience, and to have this as my start is the start of my life. I’m going to miss it. Thank you for so many fun memories I’ll have for the rest of my to live.”

He continued: “To all the fans showing so much support and love for JJ, I want to thank you. It really impressed me when I played it. It was an honor to bring him to life for you, and a joy to play with him. And P4L!”

What have the cast and crew of Outer Banks said about JJ’s death?

The ending may have been a huge shock to fans, but it didn’t shock the cast and crew, who said JJ’s death was always part of the plan.

Co-creator Shannon Burke shared The Hollywood Reporter: “We knew – we knew at the end of season three that season four would be JJ.

“We didn’t know everything that was going to happen, but we had a lot of the key story points. We also kind of knew what JJ’s final ending would be – we weren’t sure if it would be like that. played in this year, but we pretty much knew it.”

Co-creator Jonas Pate added: “It’s been lurking in his DNA from the beginning. He’s a really tragic figure, and the idea of ​​mortality, and you only have a finite window – it’s a theme of the show too .”

He continued: “It’s something John B has been talking about since the first season. So believe it or not, this is something that was always in the cake, and we just wanted to tell the story as elegantly and interestingly as possible. “

The development also did not come as a surprise to JJ actor Pankow.

“When I first found out that JJ was going to risk it all and not make it, I understood because when I read the character analysis for the audition it said: loyal to a fault,” he said in an Inside Look video about the season 4 finale, which you can watch below.

“And I think as the stakes got higher and higher, his whole thing is that he takes a risk and puts his friends before himself.”

Lead actor Chase Stokes, who plays John B, added: “The beauty of John B and JJ shows the true definition of what friendship is. I am forever grateful for the experience I had with Rudy.”

Madison Bailey, who plays Kiara, added: “Being a Pogue is about creating your own definitions of happiness, joy and community.

“His character embodies the spirit of never giving up and rebelling against what is expected of you to save what really matters.”

Pankow added: “He has to assess every moment of his life as to whether it is worth it, and I think he does that all the time, yes, it is.

‘Life is very precious and fragile and his death really determines the future of his life OBX with the question of what it is worth and if someone close to you is no longer there, how do you navigate that.”

Outer Banks season 4 can be viewed on Netflix – Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 per month. Netflix is ​​also available on Sky glass And Virgin media stream.

See more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV guide And Streaming guideto find out what’s going on. For more on TV’s biggest stars, listen to The Radio Times podcast.