“Outer Banks” Season 5: All About the Netflix Series' Final Installment — and How They'll Explain that Shocking Season 4 Death

'Outer Banks' was renewed for its fifth and final season in November 2024

Warning: Outer Banks spoilers ahead!

Netflix's hit show Outer Banks may be coming to an end — but it's always Pogues 4 life for the show's cast.

In November 2024, the streaming service renewed Outer Banks, which stars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow, Jonathan Daviss and Carlacia Grant, for its fifth and final season.

Creators Shannon Burke, Jonas Pate and Josh Pate wrote a "dispatch to all Pogues," reflecting on the OBX journey that they always intended to last five seasons.

"In the summer of 2017, we came across a photo of teenagers on a beach at dusk during a power outage. The photo sparked an idea for a story of four best friends who only want to have a good time all the time," the letter, which was posted on Instagram, read. "From this beginning, we imagined a mystery that would lead to a five-season journey of adventure, treasure hunting and friendship."

Related: The Pogues Aren't the Only Ones in Love! Meet the Outer Banks Cast's Real Life Partners

Burke and the Pate twins also teased the final episode of season 4, part 2, which premiered on Nov. 7. They shared that the feature-length episode, which included a jaw-dropping death, set the stage for an "epic" last season.

"We hope to bring our beloved Pogues home in the way we imagined and planned years ago," they wrote to fans. "We hope you'll join us for one more paddle out to the surf break."

Here's everything to know about Outer Banks season 5, including what the cast has said about saying goodbye to their characters.

What will Outer Banks season 5 be about?

Netflix has not released a synopsis for Outer Banks season 5, but Burke told Tudum that the Blue Crown treasure hunt "should carry us through all the way to the end."

Beyond treasure hunting, fans will likely still be grieving the death of the beloved JJ, who was killed by his biological father, Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane), in Morocco. The Pogues have vowed to avenge JJ's death — a storyline that will likely play out in season 5.

Burke and the Pate twins told Tudum that they had always planned for JJ's death, since the beginning of the series. “We’re planning a story of redemption, and a season that embodies the friendship that JJ had come to represent," Josh said. "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."

The final season of Outer Banks will also see John B and Sarah grapple with becoming parents after the "Kook turned Pogue princess" discovered she was pregnant in season 4, episode 7.

Related: Where Is Outer Banks Season 4 Filmed? All About the Surprising Real-Life Locations Behind the Netflix Show

As for the series' final scene, it was solidified years ago by the co-creators.

“We’ve always known from the beginning what the last scene would be if we would be lucky enough to get it that far,” Josh told the outlet in February 2023.

Which cast members are returning for Outer Banks season 5?

Most of the Outer Banks stars are expected to reprise their roles, including Stokes, who plays John B.; Cline, who plays Sarah Cameron; Bailey, who plays Kiara Carrera; Daviss, who plays Pope Heyward; and Grant, who plays Cleo.

They will likely be joined by supporting stars Drew Starkey, who plays Rafe Cameron, and Austin North, who portrays Topper Thornton.

After JJ's shocking season 4 death, Pankow will not return for Outer Banks season 5.

“I want to leave the cast and crew with the biggest thank-you. It’s been such a pleasure to come to work,” he told Tudum. “This is by far the biggest thing I’ve ever done in [my] experience, and to have this as my start is a start of a lifetime. I’m going to miss it. Thank you for so many fun memories I’ll have the rest of my life.”

What has the cast said about Outer Banks concluding with season 5?

With the end of Outer Banks on the horizon, the cast is coming to terms with saying goodbye to their beloved characters.

"My hearts heavy writing this one.. One last ride. Thank you to everybody who has tuned in these past 5 years. You’ve given us more than we could ever give back to you," Stokes wrote on Instagram, addressing the news of a fifth and final season. "It’s always gonna be Pogues 4 Life."

Related: Outer Banks Season 4 Part 1 Ending Explained: Who Is JJ’s Real Dad and What's Next for the Pogues?

As for Bailey, she was at a loss for words following the announcement.

"I don't even have words, just a whole lot of feelings, but no goodbyes yet! Let's do this thing," she wrote on Instagram Stories.

When does Outer Banks season 5 start filming?

Production on Outer Banks season 5 has not started. However, Burke and the Pate brothers are diligently working to finalize the script, per Tudum.

When will Outer Banks season 5 premiere?

A release date for Outer Banks season 5 has not been announced, but seasons 1 through 4 are available to stream on Netflix. And, Burke and the Pate brothers say the final season will be well worth the wait.

"We think it will be our best [season] yet," the creators said in their letter to fans.