“P4L” apparently doesn’t mean endlessly. Outer Banks fans were heartbroken when Rudy Pankow‘s character, JJ, died at the tip of season 4. Now that season 5 was declared to be show’s last, speculation arose about how long the series was presupposed to go. So, was OBX canceled after season 5?
For the diehard Pogues, Hollywood Life has rounded up every thing you should find out about season 5 of OBX and why it would be the last one.
Did Rudy Pankow Quit ‘Outer Banks’?

No, Rudy didn’t leave Outer Banks. While speaking with Netflix about his character’s demise, Rudy pointed to JJ’s selflessness, which helped the actor come to terms along with his death.
“Once I first came upon JJ was gonna risk all of it and never make it, I understood it,” Rudy told Netflix after season 4 part 2 aired in November 2024. “And the risks got larger and larger, and the stakes got higher and better.”
Per Netflix, JJ’s death was all the time planned by series creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke. Josh told the outlet that although “it was a very hard decision” to kill off JJ, his death “sets the stage for an epic fifth and final season.”
“We’re planning a story of redemption, and a season that embodies the friendship that JJ had come to represent,” Josh added. “JJ’s death was a tough but vital piece of the architecture for the story, and we plan on honoring that as much as we will because we love the character as much because the fans do. And Rudy’s an ideal friend of ours.”
Why Is ‘OBX’ Season 5 the Last One?
Josh, Jonas and Shannon penned a heartfelt letter to OBX fans, which revealed that that they had all the time anticipated a five season-long show.
“Seven years ago, in the summertime of 2017, we got here across a photograph of teenagers on a beach at dusk during an influence outage,” the series creators wrote. “That photo sparked an idea for a story of 4 best friends who only wish to have a superb time on a regular basis. From this starting, we imagined a mystery that might result in a five-season journey of adventure, treasure hunting, and friendship.”
At the tip of their note — which was addressed to the Pogues — Josh, Jonas and Shannon wrote, “Now, with a bit of sadness but in addition excitement, we’re putting season 4 behind us and are turning to season five, by which we hope to bring our beloved Pogues home in the best way we imagined and planned five years ago.”
‘Outer Banks’ Season 5 Forged List
Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes, Carlacia Grant, Jonathan Davies, Madison Bailey, Drew Starkey and Austin North are all in season 5.
It’s still unclear if Rudy will come back for the fifth season, but fans are holding onto the hope that they might see him in flashback scenes. While speaking with Netflix, Rudy formally bid his castmates and crew of OBX farewell, which could possibly be a sign that he isn’t returning for season 5.
“I need to go away the forged and crew with the most important ‘thanks,’” Rudy said. “It’s been such a pleasure to return to work. That is by far the most important 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. Thanks for thus many fun memories I’ll have the remainder of my life. … To all of the fans that show a lot support and love for JJ, I just wish to say thanks. 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!”