Is Rudy Pankow Leaving ‘Outer Banks?’ Why JJ’s death was ‘always’ the plan

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Outer Banks Season 4 Part 2.

The Outer Banks The Season 4, Part 2 finale took fans on an emotional rollercoaster as the Pogues traveled to Morocco to track down Blue Crown and JJ’s estranged father, Chandler Groff. However, the most shocking moment of the OBX finale was JJ’s death, and many fans are now wondering why the show’s creators killed him off.

The heartbreaking moment unfolds Outer Banks Season 4, Part 2 finale, after JJ (played by Rudy Pankow) retrieves the Blue Crown and tries to escape with Kiara with the mercenaries on his tail. Earlier, Rafe had captured Groff (J. Anthony Crane) by pushing him down a well, but Groff manages to escape and intercepts JJ and Kiara in a very intense scene.

Forbes‘Outer Banks’ Season 4 Tragic Ending Explained – Is This Protagonist Really Dead?By Monica Mercury

Groff grabs Kiara, holds a knife to her throat and threatens to kill her unless JJ hands over the crown. JJ tells his dad that he doesn’t care about the crown because he already has everything he’s ever wanted. JJ hands over the crown and turns to hug Kiara. But in a brutal twist, Groff betrays him and stabs JJ for no apparent reason, making his death feel even more senseless and heartbreaking.

Why did Chandler Groff kill JJ after he got the crown?

The creators told Netflix Tudum that Groff killed JJ by using his son as a means to an end. “He’s totally capable of killing him for absolutely no reason after he’s got everything he needs,” co-creator Shannon Burke said.

Co-creator Josh Pate added that “Groff is a sociopath”, and they patterned his character after a sociopath they read about in a non-fiction book. “Even when he’s lying, he’s lying to himself and thinks he’s telling the truth. We’d go and look up psychological profiles, (thinking,) ‘How can we make the most sociopathic character?’ Like sociopaths, he doesn’t really feel that kind of empathy. Everything is just a kind of mask,” he explained.

At the end of the finale, Kiara, the Pogues, and even Rafe—who stepped up as an honorary Pogue in this episode—are left grieving the loss of their best friend. Rafe tells the group that Groff is on his way to Portugal and they decide to follow him, determined to seek revenge for JJ’s death. This sets up the story for the show’s fifth and final season, which Netflix officially greenlit this week.

Why did the creators kill off JJ Maybank in The Outer Banks?

The creators of Outer Banks told Tudum that they had always planned for JJ to die in the series, calling it a “really hard decision.”

“It sets the stage for an epic fifth and final season,” Pate continued. “We’re planning a story of redemption and a season that embodies the friendship that JJ had come to represent. JJ’s death was a tough but necessary part of the story’s architecture, and we plan to honor that as much as possible because we love the character as much as the fans do. And Rudy is a good friend of ours.”

After discussing the decision with Pankow, the creators added that the actor embraced the “powerful way to end” his character’s journey. Burke recalled that Pankow “immediately began planning” how to play his death scene.

Pate said that filming the scene was so emotional for everyone that even “the sound guys cried.” As for how Pankow handled it, he replied, “I knew everyone was on board to bring everything and I felt that from everyone. Bailey and I brought it and I know we crushed it. It was emotional , but I think deep down everyone was on the same page… “Let’s make an impact.” And I think we did.

Leaving Rudy Pankow The Outer Banks too good?

Looks like Rudy Pankow is leaving Outer Banks for good after the death of his character, JJ Maybank, in the season 4 finale. While there’s a chance viewers could see JJ in flashbacks, Pankow has expressed his gratitude for being a part of the show and shared a heartfelt goodbye.

“I want to leave the cast and crew with the biggest thanks. It’s been such a pleasure to come to work,” he told Netflix. “This is by far the biggest thing I’ve ever done in (my) experience, and to have this as my start is a start to my life. I will miss it. Thank you for so many fun memories I will have for the rest of my life.”

He continued: “To all the fans who show so much support and love for JJ, I just want to say thank you. Playing him really made an impact on me. It’s been an honor to bring him to life for you and It has been a pleasure to play him. And P4L!”

Outer Banks Season 4 is now streaming. Watch the official trailer for Season 4, Part 2 below.