**Attention: If you have not yet seen season 4 of Outer Banks, this article will include spoilers***
Outer Banks is a popular Netflix Original Series that follows a group of teenagers from the Outer Banks, North Carolina as they embark on adventures and dangerous missions to find coveted ancient treasure. All seasons have been top hits, including the newest season four, which brought the show to Netflix’s “Most-Watched TV List,” reaching 8.8 million views, according to The Wrap.
On October 10, 2024, Outer Banks released its much-anticipated season four (part one) for viewers to enjoy. Shortly after, on November 7, they released the second part, not knowing the backlash that would soon emerge. The new episodes feature exciting adventures, mysteries, and extreme danger. However, the constant thrill did not exceed the frustration over the death of beloved character JJ, played by Rudy Pankow, at the end of the season.
JJ Maybank, a loyal yet very reckless teenager in the main group of characters, was an adored figure among all viewers, not solely due to his good looks, but also because of the emotions and personality he portrayed, which captivated the audience’s attention. When fans learned of his sudden death in the last episode of the series, they took their disheartened reactions to Tiktok, waiting for the responses from others. Soon, thousands had uploaded their upset reactions to the app explaining that without JJ’s appearance, they would not watch the upcoming season of Outer Banks. Many of the fans felt the decision to kill JJ was unnecessary, especially as his long-awaited romance with Kiara was finally developing.
Despite the backlash, the showrunners stand firm in their creative decision. They revealed that JJ’s death had been part of their long-term plan. “For a long time we had known that someone was going to die,” showrunner Shannon Burke told Teen Vogue following the season’s Part 2 premiere. “We thought it was going to be JJ all along.” Burke explained that this decision was driven by the character’s role within the story and the emotional impact his death would have on the remaining Pogues.
Producers described the move as necessary for the narrative. “JJ’s death was a hard but necessary piece of the architecture for the story,” showrunner Josh Pate explained, adding that the loss would explore themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and redemption as the series moves toward its final chapter. “We’re planning a story of redemption and a season that embodies the friendship that JJ had come to represent”.
Pankow, reflecting on JJ’s storyline, said he understood the character’s fate. “…as the stakes got higher and higher, his whole thing is taking risks and putting his friends before himself,” Pankow shared with People.com. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring JJ to life, describing the role as a career-defining experience.
The death of JJ Maybank in Outer Banks has sparked a wave of controversy, leaving fans heartbroken and questioning the direction of the show. While producers defend the decision as necessary for the narrative, highlighting themes of sacrifice and redemption, the emotional response from viewers shows the deep connection they had with this character. As the series progresses toward its final chapters, it remains to be seen how the absence of JJ will impact the remaining Pogues and whether the emotional stakes will continue to resonate with fans. The future of Outer Banks is now connected with the legacy of its beloved character, and only time will tell how the show will evolve with this shocking twist.
