Outer Banks fans, buckle up! Season 5 is coming in hot, and if the rumors are true, we’re in for the most unexpected and jaw-dropping season opener yet. The biggest shocker? JJ Maybank with a baby in the first episode! That’s right—our favorite reckless, ride-or-die Pogues member is apparently about to take on the biggest responsibility of his life… and no one saw this coming.

So, what does this mean for the show? Who’s the baby’s mother? How did JJ go from running from trouble to possibly raising a child? And most importantly—how does this change the entire Outer Banks dynamic? Let’s break it all down.

JJ Maybank: From Wild Child to… Dad?!

JJ Maybank has always been the ultimate Outer Banks wildcard. He’s fiercely loyal to his friends, always the first to throw a punch, and often finds himself in the middle of the craziest situations. But fatherhood? That’s a curveball no one expected.

In Season 4, JJ’s story took an emotional turn. He spent most of the season dealing with the fallout from his father’s absence, trying to prove he wasn’t destined to follow in his footsteps. But just when it seemed like JJ might be getting his life together, Season 5 opens with him taking care of a baby—and fans are losing their minds trying to figure out how this happened.

Could the baby actually be his? Or is JJ just stepping up for someone else? Either way, it’s safe to say this changes everything for the Pogues.

Who’s the Mother? Theories Are Already Spinning

The biggest mystery heading into Outer Banks Season 5 is the identity of the baby’s mother. With no major pregnancy reveal in Season 4, this new development is completely out of left field. But fans already have their theories:

1. Kiara—A Secret They’ve Been Hiding?

Fans who have been shipping JJ and Kiara (Jiara) for years are wondering if Season 5 is finally confirming what they’ve always suspected: that their relationship was more serious than anyone realized.

Could Kiara and JJ have secretly been together off-screen? Did they have a fling that led to this shocking twist? If the baby is Kiara’s, this would put an entirely new spin on their dynamic—especially since Kiara has always been the one trying to keep JJ from spiraling.

2. A New Love Interest?

What if the baby’s mother isn’t Kiara at all? Outer Banks has a history of introducing unexpected characters into the mix, and it’s possible that JJ had a relationship in the time jump between Seasons 4 and 5 that we haven’t seen yet.

If that’s the case, who is this mystery woman? And will she return to claim the baby, shaking up JJ’s world once again?

3. Sarah Cameron?!

Okay, this one might be a stretch—but some fans have speculated that there could be a major twist involving Sarah Cameron. She and John B have had their ups and downs, and if she and JJ had some sort of past that’s just now coming to light, this would be the kind of drama Outer Banks thrives on.

While unlikely, a Sarah-JJ baby bombshell would send shockwaves through the Pogues—and set up a love triangle that would be impossible to ignore.

How Will This Change JJ’s Role in the Pogues?

Since the beginning, JJ has been the fearless, impulsive one. He’s the guy who takes risks without thinking about the consequences, who acts first and deals with the fallout later. But a baby? That’s a responsibility he can’t just run from.

This could mean big changes for his character arc:

Will JJ finally mature? He’s always been the rebel, but taking care of a child could force him to grow up in ways he never imagined.
Will he have to leave the Pogues behind? The crew is all about adventure, danger, and living on the edge. But if JJ suddenly has a kid to care for, will he be forced to take a step back?
Will this push him toward a new path? Maybe this is the wake-up call JJ needs to finally find stability—something he’s never really had in his life.

Or… maybe it’s just another disaster waiting to happen.

John B and the Pogues—How Will They React?

The Pogues are family, but this is something they never expected. John B, Pope, Kiara, and Sarah will all have their own opinions about JJ suddenly being responsible for a baby.

John B will likely try to support his best friend, but how will this affect their adventures? Will JJ be forced to sit out their next wild plan?
Pope might be the voice of reason, questioning whether JJ is actually ready for something this serious.
Kiara’s reaction could say everything—whether she’s involved directly or just caught off guard by the news.
Sarah could have a huge role, especially if she’s connected to the baby in some way.

No matter what, the dynamic is about to shift in ways none of them ever saw coming.

What Else Can We Expect from Outer Banks Season 5?

Aside from JJ’s shocking baby reveal, Season 5 is rumored to bring even more chaos, treasure hunts, and high-stakes drama to the Pogues.

The hunt for Blackbeard’s treasure is expected to take center stage.
More Ward Cameron drama—because let’s be honest, he’s never really gone.
A possible time jump that explains how JJ ended up in this situation.
New villains that could threaten the Pogues in ways we haven’t seen before.

With Outer Banks already confirmed to return for another season, this is just the beginning of the madness.

Final Thoughts: JJ as a Dad—Will It Work?

Fans are divided. Some are excited to see JJ take on a deeper, more emotional storyline, while others worry that it might change what makes him such a great character.

But one thing’s for sure—Outer Banks has never shied away from shocking twists, and this might be the biggest one yet.

What do you think? Is JJ really the father? Or is this just another crazy misdirection? Drop your thoughts in the comments and get ready for Outer Banks Season 5—it’s going to be a wild ride!