WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for Outer Banks season 4’s ending!

With the news of Outer Banks season 5 marking the end of the Netflix hit, fans are beginning to theorize about how the series will end. In an official statement, Jonas Pate, Josh Pate, and Shannon Burke confirmed the Outer Banks’ last season, with which they “hope to bring [the] beloved Pogues home in the way [they] imagined and planned years ago.” Although this hints at a possible happy ending where John B, Kiara, Sarah, Pope, and Cleo get Poguelandia back, the Outer Banks season 4 ending sets a rocky road ahead for the group.

Stricken by JJ’s death, the Outer Banks’ characters will embark on their darkest quest yet. Although the revenge hunt after cold-blooded killer Chandler Groff is a given, there are factors that can change the course of the final season. While Kiara and Cleo are expected to want vengeance, the same cannot be said about the rest of the group, especially if the journey puts Sarah’s pregnancy in danger — considering the Lupine Corsairs are still a major threat. The Pogues are sure to face a path of no return featuring unexpected twists and inner turmoil that, hopefully, will reveal a positive path forward.

8. The Pogues Defeat Groff And Get Poguelandia Back

A Happy And Successful Quest

The most prominent theory for Outer Banks is that the last season of the show will be split in two halves and feature the Pogues’ major fights. Considering that the group vowed revenge after Groff killed JJ in the Outer Banks season 4 part 2 ending, the first half of the last chapter of the show will likely focus on catching the runaway villain. Having avenged JJ, the close friends will be tasked with bringing his last wish and legacy to reality by getting Poguelandia back.

Season 5 of Outer Banks is currently in the pre-production stages and will begin filming in Spring 2025.

The Outer Banks season 5 revenge hunt could take many forms, with the most plausible one being the group takes off from Morocco to Lisbon, and then calls Shoupe in for reinforcements. The Pogues bringing Groff to justice is the best bet they have of cleaning their reputations back in Kildare. If they manage to defeat the Lupine Corsairs and take the Blue Crown, they would also obtain the means to support their final effort to claim Poguelandia. However, although these wins would be great, season 5 hints at being darker and more dangerous than a quest for justice.

7. Kiara And Rafe Will End Up Together

Kiara And Rafe’s Romance Could Slowly Grow In The Years To Come

A divisive but strong fan theory believes Rafe and Kiara have to end up together. Although it certainly would be a shocking outcome, the prediction is not without evidence. Ever since they were kidnapped together in season 3, the pair demonstrated having a strange allure and undeniable chemistry, if anything, merely as enemies. However, Rafe’s Outer Banks redemption arc saw Kie develop some sympathy for the character, like when he cut him free when a storm took their ship, and as she witnessed his reconciliation with Sarah.

Both characters desire revenge at the end of season 4, hinting that season 5 will see Kie explore her dark side alongside the oldest Cameron sibling. As Rafe is closest to them, it makes sense that he will continue to develop his relationship with Kiara and Sarah. As Outer Banks’ JJ replacement, Rafe would be the likeliest option if the creators want to give Kiara a romance that could develop in the years following their big adventure. However, since Josh Pate confirmed Sofia will return in season 5 (via Deadline), perhaps Rafe will resume his commitment to her.

6. Wheezie And Rose Will Come Back For Season 5

The Cameron Family Will Be Reunited

Outer Banks’ final season will have to navigate a wave of expectations, and among them will be the demands for the reunion of the popular Cameron family. As Sarah and Rafe continue to mend their relationship, a portion of season 5 will likely see them make an effort to get Wheezie back in their lives. The older Cameron siblings have expressed a wish to honor Ward’s wishes and keep the family together — which becomes a pressing matter in light of Sarah’s pregnancy, and season 5’s foreshadowed weddings between John B and Sarah, and Rafe and Sofia.

Rose and the youngest Cameron’s absence from season 3 and season 4 hasn’t gone unnoticed, provoking petitions for season 5 of Outer Banks to fix the Wheezie problem. If the possibility of having the characters return seemed an unlikely one, Sarah and Rafe’s recent pull toward family offers hope for the Camerons to come together for the ending. Though season 5 could finally give the missing Wheezie Cameron a larger role in the show, it is more likely that she will merely reunite with her siblings, and share Ward’s money from the Royal Merchant.

5. The Blue Crown Will Resurrect JJ

Outer Banks Season 5 Will At Last Feature Magic

One of the wildest season 5 theories is one where the Pogues use the Blue Crown’s wish to bring their friend back. Presented as a magical trinket, the artifact’s invaluable power has certainly provoked many wars and bloodshed. In light of JJ’s tragic death in Outer Banks, speculation has risen regarding a possible miracle that allows the most loyal Pogue a happy ending alongside his friends. The idea of the Blue Crown bringing the character to life argues that Rudy Pankow’s public farewell to the show is meant to distract his shocking return for season 5.

If Outer Banks season 5 were to finally embrace magic, bringing JJ back would definitely be the way to do it.

Although this ending would no doubt produce a wave of grateful reactions, it would be a huge stretch in the Outer Banks’ universe. Even if the Pogues have encountered supposed magical and supernatural elements in their adventures, these have been proven false. Outer Banks season 3 debunked the healing shroud theory, and Groff confirmed Wes Genrette wasn’t cursed. For all that, if Outer Banks season 5 were to finally embrace magic, bringing JJ back would definitely be the way to do it.

4. Finch Is An Ancestor Of One Of The Pogues

Season 5 Could Offer One Last Ancestor Twist

A hinted new villain in Outer Banks season 5, Anton Finch is the Lupine Corsairs’ boss and perhaps the Pogues’ biggest threat going forward. Not only does he control a large group of deadly criminals, but his large collection of artifacts paints him as a ruthless treasure hunter capable of anything. Betrayed by Groff, the mercenary boss is highly likely to join Dalia and his men to ensure revenge is effected and the Blue Crown is claimed. However, Finch’s presence could also be key in answering some of the show’s longstanding mysteries.

Although it is unclear who Finch could be related to, John B seems like the likeliest choice.

The billionaire remained mysteriously absent from season 4, sparking theories regarding a season 5 identity reveal. The last season could present Finch as one last Outer Banks ancestor twist. Although it is unclear who Finch could be related to, John B seems like the likeliest choice. Season 4 already set a lot of connections between John B and the quest of the international criminal, as Big John told his son all about the Blue Crown and the history behind it. Finch being related to the Pogue would offer an unexpected and exciting twist that would allow him an epic final arc.

3. The Pogues Will Suffer At Least One More Loss

Rafe, Cleo, Or Kiara Will Die

Finales are known for featuring major character deaths, and Outer Banks season 5 is set to follow this tradition. Notably, all previous seasons resulted in an important loss, taking the lives of Sheriff Peterkin, Ward (twice), Big John, and now Terrance and JJ. The many deaths in Outer Banks season 4 turned it into the show’s deadliest chapter and set a bleak tone for what the Pogues are to face next. Going against their most dangerous opponents yet, John B, Sarah, Cleo, Kiara, Rafe, and Pope aren’t safe at all.

Though John B, Sarah, and Pope’s larger character arc somewhat protects them from dying in season 5, their deaths could serve as an honorable last sacrifice. However, it is the fates of Rafe, Cleo, and Kiara that remain up in the air. Rafe’s last redemption act could see him sacrifice himself to save Sarah and her baby. While Cleo and Kiara, who have lost the most, could be motivated to go further than anyone else in the dangerous quest, resulting in tragic outcomes. Another major death would be devastating, but it would continue the series’ bittersweet message.

2. Season 5 Will Have A Focus On The Pogues’ Missing Moms

Season 5 Could Finally Answer The Mystery Behind John B’s Mom

As Outer Banks has consistently focused on terrible fathers and avoided giving any storyline to the Pogues’ missing mothers, the introduction of Larissa Genrette came as a shock. The season 4 maternal twist subverted expectations, opening the possibility for the long-requested return of Sarah and John B’s mothers. Although Larissa’s confirmed death failed to deliver the awaited plot, season 5 could finally address the Pogues’ absent parents. John B’s mother in Outer Banks, especially, has produced many theories throughout the seasons and remains a lingering and unanswered mystery.

The Outer Banks creators’ hesitancy to respond to Deadline’s queries about a potential “moms season 5 arc” is suspicious, especially considering the strong emphasis they give to Sarah’s pregnancy as an element that will wrap up “parental relationships” (via Tudum) in the final season. Whether the enigmatic mothers are alive or dead, the new season could have them be the center of one last revelation that brings the show full circle. Additionally, the mother route would successfully overcome any predictable scenarios for season 5, and increase suspense about the show’s ending.

1. John B And Sarah Are Telling The Story To Their Kid

A Fitting Ending That Would Bring Outer Banks Full Circle

Ever since Sarah’s pregnancy in Outer Banks was revealed, a theory that perfectly brings the show full circle has risen among fans of the series. Although season 4 pulls the focus away from John B and Sarah to complete JJ’s character arc, the narrative subtly builds toward the central couple’s happy ending. The latest season paves the way for the pair’s wedding and a bittersweet epilogue that includes their child — which could even set up a possible Outer Banks spinoff if the little Pogue decides to follow in his/her parents’ footsteps.

Outer Banks has taken a lot of inspiration from the Uncharted games, and that might carry to its ending. An epilogue where Sarah and John B tell their adventures to their kid, just like Nate and Elena do in Uncharted 4, feels pretty fitting. As John B’s narration has remained an essential feature, it could result that all this time the element has been building up to the show’s “last scene” (via Tudum). Notably, Sarah is the only other character to narrate her point of view, raising the chances that she gets to tell their story as well.