Netflix number one hit Outer Banks is set to go out on a high, as the final season of the young adult drama has been confirmed just as season four tops the viewing charts.
The North Carolina-set series follows rough and ready teen beachside residents the Pogues and their sworn enemies, wealthy and privileged seasonal visitors the Kooks as they race to find lost treasure.
However, the treasure isn’t the only discovery on the cards as the two groups also stumble across family secrets and long-buried rivalries.
Season four part one has been a huge hit on the streaming platform, and ahead of part two’s release on 7 November, Netflix has confirmed that there will be a season five…but sadly, it’ll be the final instalment.
***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD***
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Yes, unfortunately we only get one more visit to Outer Banks after the second part of season four streams.
The programme’s creators Shannon Burke, Josh Pate and Jonas Pate have said that they only ever envisaged five parts to the story and can’t believe their luck at having managed to get greenlit for all of them.
Releasing an open letter to fans on Monday, just days before the debut of season four part two, the showrunners explained: “In the summer of 2017, we came across a photo of teenagers on a beach at dusk during a power outage. That photo sparked an idea for a story of four best friends who only want to have a good time all the time. From this beginning, we imagined a mystery that would lead to a five-season journey of adventure, treasure hunting, and friendship.
“At the time, seven years ago, it seemed impossible that we would really get to tell the whole five-season story, but here we are, at the end of our fourth season, still chopping away. Now, with a little sadness, but also excitement, we’re putting season four behind us, and are turning to season five, in which we hope to bring our beloved Pogues home in the way we imagined and planned years ago. Season five will be our last season, and we think it will be our best yet.”
It’s unclear when season five will land on Netflix, but so far the show has released a season every year since 2020 – although never at the same time of year.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, writing on the final season has begun, but production and premiere dates are still to be determined.
Of course, fans will be hoping for some resolution to the mystery of the lost treasure, and it’s likely most will be rooting for the Pogues to find it.
However, keen viewers will know that there has been some blurred boundaries between who falls into the Pogues camp and who is a Kook in recent episodes.
We’re expecting to see the return of main cast members Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, Carlacia Grant, Drew Starkey, Austin North and Fiona Palomo to round out the story and hopefully offer a feelgood ending.
Part one of season four headed back in time to explain events leading up to the season three finale, which included a flash forward of 18 months to Wes Genrette proposing working together with the Pogues to look for the treasure.
The Pogues had decided to live a normal life away from the gold hunt, but financial pressures made Wes’ offer seem all the more tempting, sending them back out on an adventure.
However, Wes then died under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a letter for JJ telling him to ask his dad about “Albatross”, prompting a shocking admission.
It turned out that JJ was not a Pogue at all – Luke is not his father, and the woman he thought was his mother was actually Luke’s most recent girlfriend. The Albatross was the name of the boat that Larissa Genrette died on, who was JJ’s real mother, making the late Wes his grandfather, Chandler Groff his father…and JJ a Kook.
Obviously, that leaves us with a lot to unpack in season four part two, which should offer some further clues as to what direction season five will take us in.
Outer Banks season 4’s second part will stream on Netflix from 7 November.
