The sun-soaked shores of North Carolina’s Outer Banks are set to welcome back the Pogues for one final, thrilling adventure. Netflix has officially confirmed that Outer Banks Season 5, the last chapter of the beloved teen drama, is arriving later this year, promising more danger, drama, and a new treasure hunt that will unravel mysteries deeper than the Pogues ever imagined. As the series prepares to wrap up its five-season journey, fans are bracing for an emotional and action-packed conclusion that will challenge everything the Pogues thought they knew about their past, their future, and the bonds of trust that hold them together.
Since its debut in April 2020, Outer Banks has captivated audiences with its unique blend of coming-of-age drama, high-stakes adventure, and romance. Created by Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke, the series follows a tight-knit group of working-class teens known as the Pogues—John B. Routledge, Sarah Cameron, Kiara Carrera, Pope Heyward, JJ Maybank, and later Cleo—as they navigate life in a coastal town divided by class. The Pogues, hailing from the less affluent area called The Cut, often clash with the wealthy Kooks from Figure Eight, but their real adventures stem from their relentless pursuit of legendary treasures tied to their island’s history. Over four seasons, the show has taken viewers on a rollercoaster of emotions, from the hunt for the Royal Merchant’s gold to the search for El Dorado, and most recently, the quest for Blackbeard’s treasure and the Blue Crown.
The announcement of Season 5’s 2025 release came after Netflix renewed the series in November 2024, ahead of the Season 4 Part 2 premiere. However, the renewal came with a bittersweet note: Season 5 will be the final installment of the series. The creators revealed that they had always envisioned a five-season arc, a plan sparked by a single photograph of teenagers on a beach at dusk during a power outage in 2017. “That photo sparked an idea for a story of four best friends who only want to have a good time all the time,” the creators shared in a joint statement. “From this beginning, we imagined a mystery that would lead to a five-season journey of adventure, treasure hunting, and friendship.” As the Pogues prepare for their final outing, fans can expect the show to deliver on its promise of a satisfying conclusion, one that ties up loose ends while pushing the characters to their limits.
Season 4 left the Pogues—and viewers—reeling with its dramatic finale. The season, which was split into two parts released on October 10 and November 7, 2024, followed the group as they pursued the Blue Crown, a treasure linked to the infamous pirate Blackbeard. The hunt took them from the Outer Banks to Morocco, where they faced new enemies, including the ruthless Chandler Groff, revealed to be JJ’s biological father. In a shocking twist, Groff stabbed JJ to death after the young Pogue retrieved the Blue Crown, leaving the group devastated. The season ended with Groff escaping to Lisbon, Portugal, with the treasure, while the Pogues vowed to avenge JJ’s death. Meanwhile, Sarah and John B. discovered they were expecting a child, adding an emotional layer to their journey as they grapple with the loss of their friend and the uncertainty of their future.
Season 5 picks up where this cliffhanger left off, plunging the Pogues into their most dangerous adventure yet. The hunt for the Blue Crown continues, but this time, it’s not just about the treasure—it’s about justice. Co-creator Shannon Burke has teased that the Blue Crown storyline “should carry us through all the way to the end,” suggesting that the Pogues’ pursuit of Groff will be a central focus. However, the season introduces a new treasure hunt that promises to dig deeper into the mysteries of the Outer Banks, forcing the Pogues to confront revelations that challenge their understanding of their past, their future, and the trust they’ve built with one another. “They’re forced to question their past, present, and future—who they really are, has it all been worth it, and how much are they willing to risk?” Burke hinted, echoing the themes that have defined the series from the start.
The new treasure hunt is shrouded in mystery, but it’s expected to tie into the Pogues’ personal histories in unexpected ways. The creators have hinted at the introduction of new characters, including a “mysterious island local with valuable knowledge” and a “wealthy collector with dangerous motives,” who will likely complicate the Pogues’ mission. These additions suggest that the stakes are higher than ever, with external threats testing the group’s resilience. The class divide between the Pogues and Kooks, a recurring theme throughout the series, is also expected to reach a boiling point, as long-standing rivalries come to a head. With JJ’s death still fresh, the Pogues’ bond will be pushed to its limits, and trust—already a fragile commodity in their world—will become a matter of survival.
The returning cast includes Chase Stokes as John B., Madelyn Cline as Sarah, Madison Bailey as Kiara, Jonathan Daviss as Pope, and Carlacia Grant as Cleo, all of whom are set to grapple with the aftermath of JJ’s death and the challenges of their new reality. Supporting characters like Drew Starkey as Rafe Cameron and Austin North as Topper Thornton are also expected to return, continuing their complicated dynamics with the Pogues. J. Anthony Crane will reprise his role as Chandler Groff, the season’s primary antagonist, whose backstory is set to be explored in greater depth. “Some of the work of Season 5 is going to be going back and understanding why he did it,” Burke revealed, hinting at a deeper dive into Groff’s motivations. Notably, Rudy Pankow, who played JJ, will not return, as his character’s death was a planned part of the story’s architecture. “We’re planning a story of redemption, and a season that embodies the friendship that JJ had come to represent,” co-creator Josh Pate shared, ensuring that JJ’s legacy will be honored.
Production for Season 5 began in the spring of 2025, with filming taking place primarily in Charleston, South Carolina, a stand-in for the Outer Banks. The creators have promised a visually stunning season, with the new treasure hunt taking the Pogues to uncharted territories, both geographically and emotionally. The season is expected to premiere in late 2025, though Netflix has not yet announced an exact date. Given the production timeline—filming is likely wrapping around now, in May 2025—a fall release seems plausible, aligning with the show’s tradition of autumn premieres.
As Outer Banks prepares to take its final bow, the emotional weight of the series’ conclusion is already being felt. Chase Stokes, who plays John B., shared a heartfelt message on Instagram following the renewal announcement: “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.” The creators, too, have expressed their gratitude to fans, promising to “bring our beloved Pogues home in the way we imagined and planned years ago.”
For fans, Season 5 represents the end of an era—a chance to see the Pogues face their greatest challenges, uncover life-altering truths, and fight for the bonds that have defined their journey. With more danger, more drama, and a mystery that could rewrite their entire story, Outer Banks Season 5 is poised to be an unforgettable farewell to a series that has left an indelible mark on the teen drama genre. As the Pogues paddle out for one last adventure, viewers worldwide will be right there with them, ready to see how their story ends.
