The Pogues hanging out in Outer Banks

While Outer Banks might be about a group of teens on a dangerous adventure to find a hidden treasure and the meaning behind said treasure, it’s also a show about friendship and romance. Some fans might even argue that it’s the relationships between the core cast of characters that has them so obsessed with the show, rather than the adventures the characters go on.

Although the friendships and romantic relationships might not all be ideal on Outer Banks, they do all serve a purpose. Whether it’s two Kooks falling in love because of their shared privileged experiences, all the Pogues banding together to form their own found families, or forbidden love between the two rival groups — there’s always a compelling reason for these great pairings.

Romantic: Sarah & Topper

Topper bringing Sarah breakfast in bed in Outer Banks

As the self-proclaimed Prince and Princess of the Kooks, it makes obvious sense that Sarah (Madelyn Cline) and Topper (Austin North) would gravitate towards each other and fall in love. Sarah and Topper start as just that in season 1.

While their relationship might not be perfect and they eventually break up, there’s no denying that Sarah and Topper’s relationship makes a lot of sense. After all, their families are both wealthy and have a lot in common. And he does care deeply about Sarah which helps Topper shed his villain image in Outer Banks.

Romantic/Platonic: Kiara & Pope

Kie and Pope staring at each other in Outer Banks

Kiara (Madison Bailey) and Pope (Jonathan Daviss) have an interesting relationship over the course of Outer Bank’s two seasons. They start out as friends, with Pope harboring a crush on Kiara. In season 2, they attempt to date but it turns out to be disastrous, with both reluctantly backing away from the romantic relationship they secretly want.

Unfortunately, Kiara and Pope are never able to bounce back from the awkwardness their romantic relationship has caused them. It’s a shame too since they were amazing friends who regularly served as the voice of reason amongst the Pogues. They both also were able to bond over their complicated relationships with their mostly loving families.

Platonic: John B & Sheriff Peterkin

John B and Sheriff Peterkin talking in Outer Banks

It’s rare that a teenage rebel like John B (Chase Stokes) would trust and befriend Sheriff Peterkin (Adina Porter) but that’s exactly what happens in season 1. Other than the Pogues, Sheriff Peterkin is the only one really looking out for John B. and rooting for him to succeed even though he constantly runs into trouble with the law.

Sheriff Peterkin regularly puts her career on the line to protect John B and let him live the life he wants to. John B returns the favor by attempting to save her life when Rafe accidentally shoots her at the end of season 1.

Platonic: Sarah & Kiara

Sarah and Kiara talking on the beach in Outer Banks

Sarah and Kiara have one of the most interesting and authentic relationships on Outer Banks. Season 1 reveals that Kiara and Sarah were best friends for a long time before things got weird when Kiara denounced her Kook lifestyle. The two are then begrudgingly thrown together because of John B and eventually hash out their problems with each other and start fresh.

Though they might not have wanted to admit it, these two needed each other. Sarah and Kiara are able to bond over girl matters that the boys would never understand while laughing at their boyish nature. They also both understand what it’s like to have complicated relationships with their families and feel the negative effects of being a Kook. Fans hope to see them continue to be great friends in Outer Banks‘ season three.

Romantic/Platonic: John B & Kiara

John B and talking Kiara talking on the porch in Outer Banks

While John B and Kiara have a brief romantic subplot in the first few episodes of season one, they quickly realize that their friendship is way more important than their questionable feelings. Their quick realization lets them stay friends without any awkwardness.

John B and Kiara are great friends because they both care deeply about those around them. They also both value fairness and equality in the world and will stop at nothing until justice is served for those that have wronged them or the ones they love.

Romantic: John B & Sarah

John B and Sara slow dancing in Outer Banks

John B and Sarah are the primary romantic couple on Outer Banks. Not only that, but they fit into the iconic forbidden love trope since John B is the Prince of the Pogues and Sarah is the Princess of the Kooks.

Despite all the obstacles in their way, John B and Sarah find a way to make their relationship work. They’re so in love and devoted to each other that they even flee their hometown in the hopes of starting a new life on their own. Running away might be one of the worst decisions John B made as a Pogue but it did pay off as it saved his life multiple times in seasons 1 and 2.

Platonic: John B & Pope

John B and Pope studying a telescope in Outer Banks

While the Pogues are an amazing friend group, they all have their own complex relationships with one another away from the group. One of the best of these side friendships is John B’s friendship with Pope.

John B and Pope’s friendship becomes even more meaningful in season 2 when they both end up on treasure hunts to discover their own family secrets. Their shared passion in regards to finding the truth about their family trees has them bonding in ways they never had before.

Platonic: John B & JJ

John B and JJ staring at the camera in Outer Banks

John B and JJ (Ruby Pankow) are arguably the most similar of all the characters in Outer Banks. They both have less than ideal home lives and have a bit of a reckless and impulsive nature about them. This is part of the reason these two are more brothers than friends.

John B and JJ definitely rely on each other more than any of the other characters on the show, regularly living under the same roof. They’re also always down for an adventure even if it means getting into trouble. And when everyone thinks John B has died, it’s JJ who leads the Pogues in celebrating and honoring his fallen friend’s life.

Platonic: JJ & Pope

JJ and Pope talking to each other in Outer Banks

JJ and Pope might be the most unlikely friendship paring in all of Outer Banks. JJ is impulsive and loud whereas Pope is very calculated and reserved. Add their differing viewpoints on school and it’s a wonder these two are friends. And yet, their friendship ends up being one of the best on the show, even if it’s an unpopular opinion on the Outer Banks Reddit thread.

They might not always understand each other, but keep each other balanced. JJ brings out Pope’s reckless side and Pope helps JJ be more cautious. Their friendship is the real deal, especially when JJ takes the fall for Pope and ends up in jail.

Platonic: Kiara & JJ

Kie and JJ sneaking around on the vessel in Outer banks

Kiara and JJ have the most interesting friendship as it’s strongly hinted in season 2 that their relationship could develop into a romantic one. In fact, many fans hope that these two will finally get together if the show is renewed for a third season.

These two work as friends and as a couple because they understand each other. Kiara is always there when JJ needs a shoulder to cry on and never makes fun of him for being vulnerable. And JJ is there for Kiara when her own world has fallen apart. They’re both impulsive characters who love their friends deeply but they also have a funny streak that makes them appealing to everyone and each other.