Outer Banks season 4 has shaken fans to their core, delivering not only one of the most shocking plot twists in the show’s history, but also setting the stage for what promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions heading into season 5.

The explosive season finale left viewers stunned, with unexpected turns that defied expectations and rewrote the future of the beloved Pogues. As fans process the high-stakes action and heart-stopping drama, they’ve also been left grappling with rumors of off-screen tension between the cast. This behind-the-scenes drama, particularly surrounding Rudy Pankow (JJ) and Madison Bailey (Kiara), has added a whole new layer of intrigue to the Outer Banks phenomenon.

Fans are now left wondering whether the chemistry we see on-screen is genuine – or whether real-life tensions are playing out behind closed doors. With season 5 on the horizon, Outer Banks is building towards an epic new chapter, and the speculation surrounding both the storyline and the cast’s dynamics is only making the anticipation that much greater.

SPOILER ALERT: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT YET WATCHED SEASON ‘OUTER BANKS’ SEASON 4

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A Devastating Loss For The Pogues

At the close of season 4, episode 10, the Outer Banks world was turned upside down when JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow) met his tragic end. In an emotionally charged moment, JJ is fatally stabbed by his birth father, Chandler Groff, in an act of revenge. Groff’s anger stems from JJ’s refusal to help him out of the well that Rafe pushed him into earlier in the season. The killing is a crushing blow, not just for JJ, but for the entire Pogue crew. While Groff may have secured the Blue Crown and achieved his immediate goal, the murder of his own son – and JJ’s death – casts a dark shadow over the series, one that will undoubtedly have a ripple effect in the upcoming season.

The loss of JJ is going to weigh heavily on his friends, particularly Kiara (Madison Bailey), his girlfriend, who is devastated by his death. The group of Pogues resolves to follow Groff to Lisbon, where they will continue to hunt for justice. But with JJ gone, the dynamics of the group will change dramatically, and the absence of the "heart of the Pogues" will leave an undeniable void. Netflix’s Tudum has confirmed Pankow’s departure from Outer Banks, and his farewell message was a heartfelt tribute to his time on the show, where he expressed gratitude for the role and the lasting memories it has given him. 

Pankow’s exit signals a major shift for the series. As co-creators Jonas and Josh Pate confirmed, JJ's death had always been part of the show’s long-term plan, with JJ being described as "loyal to a fault" from the beginning. According to AOL,The heart-wrenching end of his journey is poised to fuel the next phase of the show’s narrative, setting up a mission for vengeance that will define the future of the Pogues. 

The Drama Around Kiara & Rafe: Is Riara on the Horizon?

As if the emotional impact of JJ’s death wasn’t enough, the Outer Banks fandom has been left buzzing with the possibility of a new romantic pairing — Kiara and Rafe. The idea of Kiara and Rafe (Drew Starkey) getting together has been the subject of much speculation, especially after their tense but somewhat cooperative relationship in season 3 and season 4. 

In season 3, Kiara and Rafe found themselves reluctantly working together while being held hostage, and by the end of the season, Kiara pushed Rafe off the boat after he’d helped her escape. However, season 4 shows Rafe offering his assistance to Kiara as she seeks revenge for JJ’s death, and it’s this alignment that has fans wondering whether the Riara ship might be setting sail.

While many fans have long shipped Rafe and Kiara — especially now that JJ is out of the picture — there are plenty of fans who feel the pairing is too soon, too soon after JJ’s death. 

Y’all don’t understand the enemies to lovers arc Rafe and Kiara can go on with JJ out the way. COME ON OUTER BANKS YOU NEED TO DO IT.

The angst of Sarah and the rest of the pogues against it but Riara can’t fight it. Best friends brother trope about to hit like crack! pic.twitter.com/r5ATGwO9aG

— TAMAM I GUESS (@NadiaKNM1) August 16, 2024

Jonas Pate, one of the show’s co-creators, has been vocal about his reservations toward the pairing, stating that he’s "anti-Riara," while his brother Josh Pate has expressed openness to exploring the relationship, noting the great chemistry between the two. Still, Josh is cautious, emphasizing that while Kiara and Rafe share a deep focus on revenge, it’s unclear whether that will translate into anything more intimate. The future of Riara will be explored in season 5, but fans should brace themselves for the uncertainty ahead. 

The Unfollowing Drama: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Cast Tensions?

The drama surrounding Outer Banks isn’t just confined to the screen. Off-screen tensions have been hinted at through the cast’s social media behavior.  Rudy Pankow, unfollowed Madison Bailey, fueling speculation about the status of their off-screen relationships.

@multixpassionsera THE AUDIO SAYS IT ALL!! #madisonbailey #rudypankow #mariahlinney #elainesiemek #obx #outerbanks #drama #fyp #jiara #kiaracarrera #jjmaybank #greenscreen ♬ What The Fu - wtf - SiLLy ViRaL

The chatter intensified after a June 2023 cast dinner attended by Pankow, his girlfriend Elaine Siemek, Bailey, and Bailey's partner Mariah Linney. Following the dinner, Bailey and Linney unfollowed Siemek on social media, sparking further fan theories. A viral TikTok video claimed the dinner “didn’t go well,” fueling the narrative. While details remain unclear, Pankow and Bailey were reportedly close during the show’s earlier seasons. Fans speculate their relationship became strained as the public began shipping their characters—and them—causing discomfort for their real-life partners and leading the co-stars to maintain their distance to avoid scrutiny.

A little before these interviews and the s3 release, Rudy started to delete all Madison pictures/videos off his Instagram, including a picture that she took of him and he tagged her in. pic.twitter.com/mmxHW6kZ9E

— nessa| cobra kai spoilers (@fcburkhart) August 17, 2024

More tension reportedly began after fans noticed some suspicious edits in a pivotal scene of the finale, where Kiara rests her head on JJ’s shoulder. Observing the multiple camera cuts, viewers speculated that the actors used body doubles to film the PDA moment — a theory that fueled wild online speculation about bad blood between the two.

Some fans are calling them unprofessional, claiming that the refusal to film together suggested major tension on set. With their on-screen chemistry being such a major fan attraction, the online gossip only intensified, especially after JJ’s shocking death at the end of season 4, which put the romantic plotline to rest for good.

While unfollowing on social media is hardly a definitive sign of animosity, the timing of these moves has sparked intense curiosity among fans. Fans have been dissecting these actions, wondering whether there is any truth to the rumors of behind-the-scenes drama. One fan even tweeted that they hoped the cast wasn’t letting “real-life drama” affect the show. Regardless, the drama surrounding the cast only heightens the intensity of the already explosive Outer Banks fandom.

Outer Banks fans are buzzing over rumors of tension between Rudy Pankow (JJ) and Madison Bailey (Kiara). After an awkward cuddling scene, fans suspect body doubles were used, sparking accusations of unprofessionalism. #Netflix #netflixseries #obx #jj #Kiara #madisonbailey pic.twitter.com/RwYMo7Vhks

— SUN FM (@sunfmlk) November 11, 2024

What’s Next for the Pogues?

With season 5 looming, the Outer Banks crew has an uphill battle. The death of JJ and the dramatic developments surrounding Kiara and Rafe have laid the groundwork for a season that promises to be filled with emotion, intrigue, and more unexpected twists. The showrunners have teased that season 5 will explore the emotional aftermath of JJ’s death, focusing on how the Pogues cope with the loss and what they will do to seek justice for their fallen friend.

As we head into season 5, there’s no telling what’s next for the Pogues and what drama lies ahead – both on-screen and behind the scenes. One thing’s for sure: Outer Banks is setting up its most intense, emotionally charged season yet, and fans are going to need all their strength to survive it.

Photo Credit: @obx on Instagram.