Outer Banks fans have speculated that Kiara (Madison Bailey) and Rafe (Drew Starkey) will have an enemies-to-lovers trope in season 5 – but there are mixed reactions to the possibility. Following the death of Kiara’s boyfriend, JJ (Rudy Pankow), at the end of season 4, there are widespread theories that writers are opening the door for Kiara and Rafe to get together.
In season 3, Kiara and Rafe unwillingly worked together while being held hostage. They were able to escape together, but Kiara still wasn’t able to look past all the horrible things Rafe had done to the Pogues. After he let her on his escape boat, she pushed him into the water, putting them on opposite sides once again.
Still, Rafe always seemed to have a soft spot for Kiara compared to the other Pogues. When they all found themselves on the hunt for the blue crown in Morocco in season 4, Kiara was the one to free Rafe from where the Pogues had him tied up and their boat started flooding. Then, when JJ died, Rafe was the person to suggest getting revenge on the person who killed him, Chandler Groff, and Kiara was quickly on board.
“Rafe helping kiara get her revenge in s5 and they fall in love in the midst of it all,” one X user theorized. Another predicted, “As soon as Kiara said that they needed to save rafe, I knew they were setting up for that riara storyline next season.”
Some fans have been shipping a potential Kiara and Rafe coupling for quite some time and are hoping that it comes to fruition. “i think it’s time to speak my truth, i have always thought from s1, rafe and kiara would be cute.. BUT I LOVE JIARA PLZ DONT CANCEL ME,” someone wrote. Another fan added, “Actually ive been shipping rafe and kiara since season 1, JJ was just in the way and now hes not.”
However, there has been a lot of backlash from fans who loved JJ and Kiara together and are upset that Rudy’s character was killed off. “If I f–king see the pogues moving on from jjs dead even if a year pass like that’s insane those are not my pogues wtf like they better have scenes crashing out for him tf my Kiara is not moving on even if F–KING RIARA EVER HAPPENS pates don’t fail us more than you’ve done bru,” someone ranted, while another added, “and if i see any more of that riara bulls–t i’m gonna actually lose my mind so don’t.”
The Outer Banks showrunners addressed the possibility of Rafe and Kiara getting together. “Don’t encourage my brother,” Jonas Pate told Cosmopolitan, admitting that he was “anti” Riara. However, Josh Pate urged him not to “divulge too much,” and Jonas confirmed, “We’re aware [of fans wanting it]. Let’s put it that way.”
“I don’t know how much [Kiara and Rafe] are thinking about each other at the end of [season 4],” Josh explained. “I think Kiara is really consumed with revenge and so is Rafe. He has different motivations, but he is more bonded with the Pogues than he’s ever been. Still, it’s a hard turn to go straight to a Rafe and Kiara ship, given where they’ve been in the past. But we also know how great Drew and Madison are as actors and how great they are together. So we’re definitely going to explore that relationship.”
