Everything We Know About <em>Outer Banks</em> Season 5

Spoilers below.

After over four years of treasure hunting, Outer Banks is coming to an end. Netflix confirmed in November 2024 that the hit series will conclude with its upcoming fifth and final season, which is due later in 2026.

Cast member Chase Stokes responded to the news on Instagram on November 5, writing, “My heart’s 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...It’s always gonna be Pogues 4 Life.”

Here’s everything to know before you saddle up for that last ride with the Pogues.

Creators Shannon Burke, Jonas Pate, and Josh Pate said in their own Instagram post that they’ve always had a five-season plan for the show.

“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,” they shared in a letter to fans. “From this beginning, we imagined a mystery that would lead to a five-season journey of adventure, treasure hunting and friendship.”

They added, “We hope to bring our beloved Pogues home in the way we imagined and planned years ago. We hope you’ll join us for one more paddle out to the surf break.”

The end of season 4 saw the shocking death of JJ in Morocco, killed by his biological dad, Chandler. With his friends vowing to avenge him, that will definitely be an important plot point in season 5.

Speaking with Tudum, Burke and the Pates stated they’ve been planning the surprise death since the start of the Outer Banks story.

“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.”

Likely, the new season will also follow John B and Sarah as they become new parents. Burke additionally stated that the Blue Crown treasure hunt storyline “should carry us through all the way to the end.”

Netflix has also revealed new details about where the Pogues are at the start of season 5. During the streamer’s 2026 Upfront presentation on May 13, Stokes, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, and Carlacia Grant introduced first-look footage from the final season. According to Deadline, the teaser opens shortly after season 4’s finale, with the group shown in custody overseas before eventually being separated and sent back home.

While discussing the upcoming episodes onstage, Bailey said season 5 begins with the characters in “an interesting place because of last season’s shocking finale.”

“As always, the stakes are high and the relationships between characters are going to be tested,” Bailey continued. “We also tried to bring everyone home and wrap up the series in a way that the fans will hopefully love.”

The main Outer Banks cast members are expected to return, including Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Bailey, Daviss, and Grant. Supporting cast like Drew Starkey and Austin North would probably make an appearance.

Rudy Pankow has stated that he will not be returning after the death of his character, JJ, so don’t expect a ghost version.

“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.”

Yes! On June 20, Netflix announced that filming was officially underway in Charleston, South Carolina.

“We are over the moon to be setting out on one last trip with the Pogues,” show creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke toldTudum. “Being back on set with our cast for this final round is nothing short of bittersweet and surreal. We can’t wait to show everyone what we have in store this season—it’s going to be a wild ride.”

Netflix also released two new photos of the cast from set:

(L to R) Jonathan Daviss as Pope, Madison Bailey as Kiara, Carlacia Grant as Cleo, Chase Stokes as John B, Drew Starkey as Rafe, Madelyn Cline as Sarah.

Netflix has confirmed that the fifth and final season of Outer Banks will premiere on Aug. 20, 2026, with all 10 episodes being released at once.

Yes. Netflix released the first official trailer for season 5 in June 2026, offering a closer look at the Pogues’ final adventure.

You can watch it below:

This post will be updated.