Outer Banks season 4 introduces many new legends, mysteries, and historical and fictional figures, including Francis Genrette. The Netflix action-adventure teen drama centers around a group of Pogues living in the Outer Banks of North Carolina — John B, Sarah, Pope, Kiara, JJ, and Cleo. In each season of Outer Banks, the Pogues find themselves searching for treasure, whether it’s of their own volition or not, and in season 4, they are doing so because they spent all the money they made from the El Dorado gold they found in season 3. Desperate, the group seeks out Wes Genrette.

Wes is the man who approaches the Pogues about Blackbeard, aka Edward Teach, during Outer Banks season 3’s ending. While they claim they’re retired from the treasure-hunting business, their empty bank account suggests otherwise. So, the Pogues accept Wes’ offer — find the amulet of Blackbeard’s wife, Elizabeth, in exchange for $50,000. As Wes explains, his ancestor, Francis Genrette, killed Blackbeard and his wife in 1718. Since then, Elizabeth has been haunting generations of the Genrette family, who have all suffered brutal deaths, including Wes’ daughter, Larissa. So, Wes believes retrieving the amulet will satisfy Elizabeth and end the curse.

Outer Banks’ Francis Genrette Is A Fictionalized Version Of Blackbeard’s Real Killer, Robert Maynard

Robert Maynard Was A Royal Navy Officer

Although Outer Banks season 4 claims to tell Blackbeard’s story, it gets many details wrong, including who killed the infamous pirate. Of course, the writers took creative liberties to craft their own cohesive and intriguing narrative for the episodes, which meant changing the identity of Blackbeard’s killer. Francis Genrette wasn’t the one who murdered him, Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the British Royal Navy is actually the one credited with executing the pirate. However, Francis is seemingly inspired by Maynard in Outer Banks season 4.

Outer Banks Season 4 Cast
Role

Chase Stokes
John B. Routledge

Madelyn Cline
Sarah Cameron

Madison Bailey
Kiara “Kie” Carrera

Jonathan Daviss
Pope Heyward

Rudy Pankow
JJ Maybank

Carlacia Grant
Cleo

Drew Starkey
Rafe Cameron

Fiona Palomo
Sofia

Austin North
Topper Thornton

Cullen Moss
Deputy Shoupe

J. Anthony Crane
Chandler Groff

Rigo Sanchez
Lightner

Brianna Brown
Hollis Robinson

David Jensen
Wes Genrette

Wes Genrette reveals in Outer Banks season 4 that Francis, a British officer, caught, murdered, and beheaded the pirate, which sounds like the real story, just with a different name ascribed to the killer. In real life, Governor Alexander Spotswood of Virginia gave Maynard orders to capture Blackbeard. Maynard and his army found the pirate with his men near Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, where a battle between the two opposing forces ensued. When the smoke cleared, Blackbeard was dead. Afterward, Maynard reportedly hung Teach’s head from his mast.

Did Blackbeard’s Wife Really Put A Curse On The Family Of The Man Who Killed Them?

Elizabeth Wasn’t A Real Person

In Outer Banks season 4’s story, Wes claims that his ancestor, Francis Genrette, murdered Blackbeard’s wife, Elizabeth Teach, after slaying the pirate. Before her death, Elizabeth begged Francis to retrieve her amulet, a gift from her husband and her most prized possession, from his ship. Francis refused and killed her. Consequently, Elizabeth put a curse on the Genrette family and has haunted them for over 300 years. However, in real life, this never happened. In fact, Elizabeth Teach wasn’t even a real person, as Blackbeard’s last known wife prior to his death was Mary Ormond.

By all accounts, Robert Maynard never murdered Blackbeard’s wife, meaning the curse was fabricated for season 4 of Netflix’s thrilling series Outer Banks. Although the curse isn’t real, there are stories about Blackbeard’s ghost. Per North Carolina Ghosts, legends state that Maynard’s men threw the pirate overboard after beheading him, and his headless body swam around the ship three times before sinking into the ocean. The spot came to be known as Teach’s Hole, where many claim that Blackbeard’s ghost haunts the waters. People have reported seeing a light moving under the surface and hearing his voice call out on stormy nights.

What Happened To Robert Maynard After Killing Edward Teach In Real Life

Robert Maynard Died In 1751

Robert Maynard lived for many years after killing Blackbeard in November 1718, dying in January 1751 at the age of 66. He will always be most known for being the man who executed the notorious pirate, though, as Maynard faded from history after Blackbeard’s death. Maynard continued serving with the British Royal Navy and moved up the ranks, ending his service as a captain. Other than that, not much is known about Maynard’s life, which is probably why season 4 of Outer Banks created a fictional character to serve as Blackbeard’s murderer.