The salty breeze of the Outer Banks is calling, and the Pogues are answering with a vengeance. Netflix has officially kicked off production for Outer Banks Season 5, the final chapter of the action-adventure teen drama that has captivated millions with its blend of treasure hunts, romance, and class warfare. Filming began in Charleston, South Carolina, in June 2025, and the sandy beaches are once again buzzing with the Pogues’ unrelenting spirit. After the gut-wrenching events of Season 4, the group—John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, and Cleo—is no longer just chasing treasure; they’re standing on business, driven by grief, loyalty, and a thirst for justice. As the series races toward its 2026 premiere, fans are bracing for a finale that promises to be the wildest ride yet.

Since its debut in April 2020, Outer Banks has been a cultural juggernaut, amassing nearly 200 million views and appearing on Netflix’s Top 10 English TV List 25 times. Created by Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke, the series follows a group of working-class teenagers, known as the Pogues, from the south side of Kildare Island, a fictional coastal town in North Carolina. They clash with the wealthy Kooks from Figure Eight, navigating love, loss, and legendary treasures like the Royal Merchant and El Dorado. Season 4, released in two parts on October 10 and November 7, 2024, took the Pogues to new heights—and devastating lows—culminating in a feature-length finale that left fans reeling. Now, with Season 5 in production, the Pogues are poised to close their story with a bang, and the beach is their battleground.

The heart of Outer Banks has always been its characters, and Season 5 is no exception. Returning series regulars include Chase Stokes as John B Routledge, the charismatic leader; Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron, the Kook-turned-Pogue; Madison Bailey as Kiara “Kie” Carrera, the group’s environmentalist; Jonathan Daviss as Pope Heyward, the brains; Carlacia Grant as Cleo, the fierce outsider; Drew Starkey as Rafe Cameron, Sarah’s volatile brother; Austin North as Topper, the Kook antagonist; and Fiona Palomo as Sofia, Rafe’s girlfriend. J. Anthony Crane, who plays Chandler Groff, JJ’s biological father and Season 4’s main villain, and Cullen Moss, as Sheriff Victor Shoupe, have been promoted to series regulars, signaling bigger roles in the final season. Notably absent is Rudy Pankow, whose character, JJ Maybank, met a tragic end in Season 4, though fans speculate he could appear in flashbacks.

Season 4 set the stage for a deeply personal finale. After securing the gold at El Dorado, the Pogues returned to the Outer Banks, establishing “Poguelandia 2.0,” a new home base where they ran a bait, tackle, and charter tour shop. Financial struggles lured them back into the “G” game when Wes Genrette (David Jensen) offered a chance to hunt Blackbeard’s Blue Crown. The quest took them from North Carolina to Morocco, where they teamed up with Rafe to outwit dangerous new enemies, including the Lupine Corsairs and Groff, a Kook obsessed with treasure. But the mission turned deadly when Groff betrayed JJ, leading to his shocking death in the finale. The Pogues buried their friend in Morocco, and Kiara, devastated by the loss of her romantic partner, vowed revenge. As the episode closed, Rafe revealed Groff’s likely destination—Lisbon, Portugal—setting the Pogues on a path to avenge JJ.

Season 5 picks up this thread, with revenge as the driving force. “From here, it’s really personal,” co-creator Josh Pate told Netflix’s Tudum. “They may end up getting treasure as part of their revenge, but it’s all about avenging JJ, and trying to get some solace or peace.” The Pogues’ quest to make Groff pay will test their friendship, their resilience, and their ability to move forward without JJ, the group’s reckless heart. Kiara, in particular, is expected to take a leadership role, channeling her grief into action. “If revenge is the treasure they’re hunting, there’s no better person to lead the pack than Kiara,” noted a ScreenRant analysis. Her arc will likely explore how she balances her anger with the group’s need for unity, especially as they navigate unfamiliar terrain in Portugal.

The Pogues’ dynamic has always been their strength and weakness. As John B once said, “The downside of Pogue life is that we’re ignored and neglected. The upside? We do whatever we want, whenever we want.” This freedom has led to epic adventures but also heartbreak. JJ’s death, a blow fans still mourn, has left the group fractured. Social media posts on X reflect the sentiment, with users lamenting, “JJ was the best character,” and calling his absence “a strange experience” for the final season. The Pogues must now grapple with whether their pursuit of justice honors JJ’s legacy or risks tearing them apart. Rafe’s unexpected alliance with the group adds another layer of tension. Once a villain, he’s shown glimmers of redemption, and his pragmatic approach could stabilize the grief-stricken Pogues—though his motives remain suspect.

Filming in Charleston, a stand-in for the Outer Banks, brings the show’s vibrant aesthetic to life. Locations like Hunting Island State Park, with its sandy beaches and historic lighthouse, and the Maybank property, a reimagined Chateau, evoke the Pogues’ scrappy, sun-soaked world. Chase Stokes, who helped nail floorboards at Poguelandia 2.0, told Tudum, “It’s like they took what they loved about the Chateau and expanded on that.” The set’s nostalgic vibe resonates with the cast, who’ve called it their favorite. New locations in Portugal will likely introduce a European flair, contrasting the familiar coastal backdrop. The production, expected to wrap by late 2025, is a bittersweet milestone. “Being back on set for this final round is nothing short of bittersweet and surreal,” the creators told Tudum.

The show’s cultural impact extends beyond the screen. Events like Poguelandia, a fan festival held in Huntington Beach in 2023 and Santa Monica in 2024, have drawn thousands with performances by artists like Khalid and GloRilla. Netflix’s collaborations with brands like ASOS and PacSun, featuring Pogue-inspired fashion, have kept the vibe alive. The series’ exploration of class divides—Pogues versus Kooks—resonates with audiences, though locals have noted exaggerations. A surfer from the real Outer Banks told Esquire that the show’s turf wars and fictional Kildare County aren’t entirely accurate, but the wealth gap is real. “There’s obviously lots of money here,” he said, citing multimillion-dollar homes alongside seasonal workers’ struggles.

Season 5’s plot remains closely guarded, but the creators have long known the final frame. “We’ve always known what the last scene would be,” Josh Pate told Tudum, hinting at a carefully planned conclusion. The Blue Crown hunt, introduced in Season 4, will likely tie into the Pogues’ revenge mission, blending high-stakes action with emotional closure. The season may also address lingering questions, like Pope’s scholarship, Kiara’s environmental activism, and John B and Sarah’s future as expectant parents. Cleo’s integration as a non-American Pogue adds a global perspective, while Sheriff Shoupe’s expanded role could shift the law’s pursuit of the group. Groff’s villainy, rooted in his betrayal of JJ, will drive the conflict, but the Pogues’ biggest challenge is internal: Can they hold together without losing themselves?

Fans are already speculating on X, with some hoping for a bittersweet ending that sees the Pogues retire to Poguelandia 2.0, while others predict more losses. “They feel a duty to avenge JJ,” Josh Pate told Tudum. “If they don’t go after Groff, they’ll feel like they’ve let the spirit of JJ or their friendship down.” The season’s darker tone reflects the Pogues’ growth from carefree teens to battle-hardened adults, a transformation underscored by the loss of JJ. Yet, the creators promise hope. “Season Five will be our best yet,” they wrote in a statement, urging fans to “join us for one more paddle out to the surf break.”

As production rolls on, Outer Banks Season 5 is shaping up to be a fitting farewell. The Pogues are no longer just kids chasing gold; they’re a family fighting for justice, standing firm on the beach they call home. With Charleston’s waves crashing and Portugal’s mysteries looming, the final season will test their loyalty and love. Whether they find treasure or solace, one thing is clear: the Pogues are going out P4L—Pogues for Life.