The Shocking Truth: Why JJ Maybank Left Outer Banks In Season 4—And The Twisted Family Secret That Caused It

The question of "Why did JJ leave Outer Banks" is one of the most searched and heartbreaking queries for fans of the Netflix hit series, and the definitive answer is a tragic, unavoidable plot twist that rocked the Pogue world. As of the December 2025 update, the beloved character, Jackson "JJ" Maybank, played by actor Rudy Pankow, did not simply leave the Outer Banks—he was killed in a shocking and brutal confrontation during the Season 4 finale, a permanent exit that sets the stage for the show's final season. This decision was not due to an actor's desire to leave or a cast feud, but was a pre-meditated creative choice by the series' showrunners to deliver a final, devastating blow to the Pogues' journey.

The character's departure was the result of a massive, season-long secret involving his true parentage, culminating in a betrayal by the last person anyone, especially JJ, would have expected. His death, which occurred in the climactic moments of the Season 4 finale, has been confirmed by the creators and the actor as the end of JJ Maybank's story, leaving a massive, emotional void for the remaining Pogues as they head into the fifth and final season.

The Man Behind The Pogue: Rudy Pankow's Biography and Career Profile

Rudy Pankow, the actor who brought the reckless, loyal, and deeply troubled JJ Maybank to life, is an American performer who quickly rose to fame with his breakout role on Outer Banks. His compelling portrayal of the "loose cannon" Pogue earned him a massive following, making his character's exit all the more impactful.

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• Full Name: Rudy Pankow
• Date of Birth: August 12, 1998
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 27
• Place of Birth: Ketchikan, Alaska, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Height: Approximately 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
• Best Known For: Jackson "JJ" Maybank on the Netflix series Outer Banks (2020–2024).
• Other Notable Works: He has appeared in films such as Uncharted (2022) alongside Tom Holland, where he played the role of Sam Drake.
• Career Start: Pankow initially moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting after high school. He studied at an acting institute and began his career with short films and minor television roles before landing the role of JJ.
• Character Arc: JJ Maybank was known for his loyalty to John B, his turbulent relationship with his abusive father Luke Maybank, and his eventual romantic pairing with Kiara Carrera (Kiara/JJ, or "Jiara").

The Definitive Plot Twist: How JJ Maybank Died in the Season 4 Finale

The character of JJ Maybank was killed off in the Season 4 finale, a moment that served as the final, tragic climax of a major treasure hunt and a deeply personal storyline. The events leading up to his death were complex, rooted in the shocking revelation of his true parentage.

The Identity Crisis: Luke Maybank is Not His Real Father

Throughout the first three seasons, a central part of JJ's character was his volatile and often abusive relationship with his father, Luke Maybank. JJ's deep-seated trauma and tendency toward reckless behavior were directly tied to this troubled family dynamic.

However, Season 4 introduced a monumental twist: Luke Maybank was not JJ's biological father. A mysterious letter left by a man named Wes Genrette, an associate of a new treasure hunt, revealed the truth. JJ's biological parents were actually Larissa Genrette and Chandler Groff. The world, and JJ, had been led to believe that his mother, Larissa, had drowned with her infant son years ago.

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The revelation meant that JJ's entire understanding of his life, his trauma, and his identity was a lie. He was not Jackson Maybank, but Jackson Groff, a name tied to a completely new, criminal family history.

The Final Betrayal by Chandler Groff

The tragic end came when the Pogues encountered Chandler Groff, the man revealed to be JJ's biological father, during the final, desperate scramble for a new treasure, often referred to as 'The Albatross'. Groff was a shadowy figure connected to a dangerous criminal enterprise, and he had no paternal love for the son he barely knew.

In a climactic confrontation, Groff brutally stabbed JJ. The scene was devastating, with the Pogues—John B, Kiara, Pope, and Sarah Cameron—forced to watch as their friend, their "loose cannon" and heart of the group, succumbed to his wounds. JJ died in Kiara's arms, a final, heartbreaking moment for the fan-favorite couple "Jiara."

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The Real Reason: Why the Creators Chose to Kill Off JJ Maybank

The decision to kill off a core member of the Pogues was met with immediate shock and backlash from the devoted fanbase. However, the show's creators—Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke—have been clear that this was a pivotal, pre-planned story decision, not a reaction to any off-screen drama.

1. A Planned Ending for the Final Season

The most crucial reason cited by the creators is that JJ's death was always intended to be a major, defining moment leading into the show's final run. The creative team confirmed that Season 5 will be the last season of Outer Banks. In an adventure series focused on high-stakes treasure hunts, the writers felt they needed a sacrifice—a moment of true, irreversible loss—to raise the emotional stakes for the final battle.

The creators stated that while it was a "really hard" choice, they needed a final, traumatic event to solidify the Pogues' bond and motivate their concluding actions. JJ's death serves as the ultimate catalyst for John B, Kiara, and Pope to complete their journey and find some form of peace or vengeance in the final season.

2. Thematic Completion of JJ's Story Arc

From a narrative standpoint, JJ's character arc was always defined by sacrifice, loyalty, and a willingness to put himself in harm's way for his friends. Actor Rudy Pankow himself commented on the finality of JJ's life, suggesting that the risk was always worth it to the character.

His death at the hands of his own biological father, Chandler Groff, provides a dark symmetry to his story. JJ's life was defined by the trauma of his father figure, Luke Maybank, and it ended with a fatal betrayal from his biological father. It completed a tragic cycle, symbolizing the Pogue life's inherent danger and the devastating consequences of their world of Kooks vs. Pogues, treasure, and crime.

3. Dispelling the Feud Rumors

Following the shocking episode, rumors immediately began to circulate online, suggesting that Rudy Pankow's exit was due to a feud with his co-stars, particularly Madison Bailey, who plays his on-screen love interest, Kiara. The show's creators and the actors quickly moved to dispel these unfounded rumors.

His departure was a purely professional and narrative decision, with no hard feelings between the cast or the production team. The actor, Rudy Pankow, is not returning for Season 5, as his character's story has reached its definitive end.

The Legacy of JJ Maybank: What His Death Means for Outer Banks Season 5

The void left by JJ Maybank will be the central emotional driver for the remaining Pogues in the fifth and final season. His death is not just a character exit; it's a thematic turning point for the entire series.

• Emotional Toll on the Pogues: JJ was the heart and comic relief of the group. His death will undoubtedly push John B, Pope, and Kiara to their emotional limits, forcing them to confront the true cost of their adventures. The most significant impact will be on Kiara, whose relationship with JJ was a cornerstone of Season 4.
• A Darker Tone: The show has always balanced adventure with serious themes, but killing a core character signals a definitive shift to a darker, more serious tone for the final season. The stakes are now truly life-and-death.
• The Final Hunt: The Pogues' final treasure hunt will likely be intertwined with a quest for justice or revenge against Chandler Groff and the criminals responsible for JJ's death, providing a powerful, personal motivation for the series' conclusion.

In conclusion, the answer to "Why did JJ leave Outer Banks" is one of the show's most heartbreaking plot points: the beloved Pogue was tragically killed by his biological father, Chandler Groff, in the Season 4 finale. It was a planned, devastating narrative choice by the creators to raise the stakes and bring the Pogues' epic journey to its final, emotional conclusion. Fans must now prepare to watch the remaining Pogues navigate a world without their loyal, reckless friend in the final season.