Outer Banks star Rudy Pankow shares an emotional statement following his character’s death in the season 4 finale. Created by Shannon Burke, Jonas Pate, and Josh Pate, the hit Netflix show follows two groups of teens, the Pogues and the Kooks, as they search for treasure in North Carolina. The teen drama returned for season 4 in October with the final five episodes releasing on November 7. The Outer Banks season 4 finale was a tragic one, with JJ Maybank ultimately meeting his end at the hands of his biological father, Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane).

After JJ’s shocking death in the Outer Banks season 4 finale, Pankow shares a thoughtful statement about his departure from the show during a recent interview with Netflix. The actor seemingly confirms that JJ is truly dead, expressing his thanks to everyone involved in the production, as well as the viewers who have supported the show and his character. Check out Pankow’s comment below:

“I want to leave the cast and crew with the biggest thank-you. It’s been such a pleasure to come to work. This is by far the biggest thing I’ve ever done in [my] experience, and to have this as my start is a start of a lifetime. I’m going to miss it. Thank you for so many fun memories I’ll have the rest of my life.

“To all the fans that show so much support and love for JJ, I just want to say thank you. It really did make an impact on me, playing him. It’s been an honor to bring him to life for you guys , and it’s been a joy to play him. And P4L!”

As for what Pankow hopes viewers take away from watching the season 4 finale and his character’s death, he wants JJ’s spirit to live on: “The spirit of JJ is: Take the risk.”

What JJ’s Death Means For Outerbanks’ Future

Season 5 Has Higher Stakes Than Ever Before

Outer Banks season 4 ends with the Pogues sitting around a bonfire, mourning the loss of their friend. The final moments, however, feature Rafe (Drew Starkey) riling them up, encouraging them to hunt Groff down and avenge JJ, teeing up an escalation of the conflict. Thankfully, it’s now been confirmed that Outer Banks season 5 is on the way, though it will serve as the Netflix show’s last.

Outer Banks season 5 doesn’t yet have a release date, but the release schedule for previous seasons would suggest that it will arrive in 2025 or 2026.

JJ’s death, then, wasn’t just for added shock value in the finale, and the character’s legacy will seemingly live on in the upcoming final season. Season 5 will also be able to fully explore the impact JJ’s death has had on the rest of the Pogues, especially Kiara (Madison Bailey), since the two were romantically entwined. In addition to allowing for some characters in the Outer Banks cast to go through new, challenging emotional journeys, JJ’s death also helps to firmly establish the show’s stakes. It’s entirely possible, for example, that season 5 will feature more shocking deaths.

Our Take On JJ’s Death In Outer Banks Season 4

The Netflix Show Made A Bold Decision

Character deaths have been a fairly regular part of most previous seasons, but the show has typically shied away from killing off major fan-favorites. JJ’s death was shocking, and social media has been awash with frustration at this Outer Banks season 4 decision.

While it’s understandable that viewers are upset at losing a character who has been a part of the show since season 1, it could end up being the fuel that drives Outer Banks season 5 to be the most intense season yet. It also raises questions, however, about what beloved characters could be next to go.