“P4L” apparently doesn’t imply perpetually. Outer Banks followers had been heartbroken when Rudy Pankow‘s character, JJ, died on the finish of season 4. Now that season 5 was declared to be present’s final, hypothesis arose about how lengthy the collection was imagined to go. So, was OBX canceled after season 5?
For the diehard Pogues, Hollywood Life has rounded up the whole lot you might want to find out about season 5 of OBX and why it will likely be the final one.
Did Rudy Pankow Give up ‘Outer Banks’?

No, Rudy didn’t depart Outer Banks. Whereas talking with Netflix about his character’s demise, Rudy pointed to JJ’s selflessness, which helped the actor come to phrases together with his dying.
“Once I first discovered JJ was gonna threat all of it and never make it, I understood it,” Rudy informed Netflix after season 4 half 2 aired in November 2024. “And the dangers received greater and larger, and the stakes received greater and better.”
Per Netflix, JJ’s dying was all the time deliberate by collection creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke. Josh informed the outlet that though “it was a extremely onerous choice” to kill off JJ, his dying “units the stage for an epic fifth and closing season.”
“We’re planning a narrative of redemption, and a season that embodies the friendship that JJ had come to characterize,” Josh added. “JJ’s dying was a tough however needed piece of the structure for the story, and we plan on honoring that as a lot as we are able to as a result of we love the character as a lot because the followers do. And Rudy’s an amazing good friend of ours.”
Why Is ‘OBX’ Season 5 the Final One?
Josh, Jonas and Shannon penned a heartfelt letter to OBX followers, which revealed that that they had all the time anticipated a 5 season-long present.
“Seven years in the past, in the summertime of 2017, we got here throughout a photograph of youngsters on a seaside at nightfall throughout an influence outage,” the collection creators wrote. “That photograph sparked an thought for a narrative of 4 greatest buddies who solely need to have an excellent time on a regular basis. From this starting, we imagined a thriller that may result in a five-season journey of journey, treasure looking, and friendship.”
On the finish of their notice — which was addressed to the Pogues — Josh, Jonas and Shannon wrote, “Now, with somewhat disappointment but additionally pleasure, we’re placing season 4 behind us and are turning to season 5, during which we hope to deliver our beloved Pogues dwelling in the way in which we imagined and deliberate 5 years in the past.”
‘Outer Banks’ Season 5 Forged Listing
Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes, Carlacia Grant, Jonathan Davies, Madison Bailey, Drew Starkey and Austin North are all in season 5.
It’s nonetheless unclear if Rudy will come again for the fifth season, however followers are holding onto the hope that they may see him in flashback scenes. Whereas talking with Netflix, Rudy formally bid his castmates and crew of OBX farewell, which might be a sign that he’s not returning for season 5.
“I need to depart the forged and crew with the most important ‘thanks,’” Rudy stated. “It’s been such a pleasure to come back to work. That is by far the most important factor I’ve ever performed in [my] expertise, and to have this as my begin is a begin of a lifetime. I’m going to overlook it. Thanks for therefore many enjoyable reminiscences I’ll have the remainder of my life. … To all of the followers that present a lot assist and love for JJ, I simply need to say thanks. It actually did make an influence on me, enjoying him. It’s been an honor to deliver him to life for you guys, and it’s been a pleasure to play him. And P4L!”