In a bold move, season 4 of Outer Banks concludes with a jaw-dropping moment when Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane), a new antagonist introduced this season, kills JJ Maybanks (Rudy Pankow) after he gains possession of the long sought-after treasure. Outer Banks follows a group of teenagers–known as the Pogues–as they embark on a perilous adventure. Outer Bank season 4 shifts the stakes of their journey even higher, with the Pogues facing a deadly new threat in Chandler, who quickly becomes the group’s most dangerous adversary.

Speaking with Deadline, co-creators Jonas Pate and Josh Burke explain that Chandler is a unhappy sociopath that serves as a daunting antagonist, noting a reset from the preceding seasons. The decision to kill JJ was a narrative choice aimed at establishing Chandler as a ruthless person whose actions will be further explored in season 5. Check out what the creators had to say about their surprising decision:

He kills JJ after he has the crown, it’s completely pointless; it’s banal, almost. When we were conceiving the character, we zeroed in on the dark triad personality traits and wanted to create almost a sociopathic character that would have hard enough edges. That’s because the fourth season was a complete reset from the first three seasons, which kind of function as like a trilogy in some way. We needed to re-conjure a formidable villain quickly, so we tried to conjure the worst one we could think of.

Ultimately, JJ wants to give up the treasure because he doesn’t care about it in comparison to the things that matter to him. Chandler hates JJ’s joy. He is such an unhappy person that he sees that JJ actually doesn’t need it, and that drives him insane. You’re right to point out that it seems gratuitous, and some of the work of season 5 is going to be going back and understanding why he did it. The story’s not over, we’re part way through. It’s all potential [for season 5] but I’m pretty sure that’s going to be developed, about why he had to do it.

What This Means For Outer Banks Season 5

Chandler Is The Biggest Threat The Show Has Seen

The decision to murder JJ signals a major tonal shift for Outer Banks. It proves the emergence of a more menacing threat for the Pogues, with Chandler firmly at the center of their conflict. His menacing nature will likely intensify the Pogues already dangerous pursuit in season 5, forcing the characters to reckon with the physical consequences of his actions and the inevitable emotional toll his actions cause. JJ’s death could fuel their resolve and drive the group to take more risks or shift their journey to seek justice on his behalf, all while still facing Chandler’s threat and cruelty.

As the series transitions to season 5, it will be important to explore the motives of Chandler even further. Pate and Burke teased that the death will have many layers to uncover, and audiences can expect to learn about the deeper reasons behind Chandler’s behavior. While JJ’s death may seem gratuitous at first, it seems to be a part of a larger narrative puzzle that will add a new dimension to Chandler and bring new emotional stakes to the ongoing story. The Pogues’ expedition may take a dark turn as they confront the repercussions of JJ’s death.

Our Take On JJ’s Death In Season 4

Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook

JJ’s death in Outer Banks season 4 brings the series to a dark new chapter. Although shocking, it sets up a darker tone moving into Outer Banks season 5. With Chandler now established as a new antagonist, the Pogues are now faced with confronting a greater danger. This loss could supply their need for revenge or justice, which may alter their path in the story going forward. With these stakes even higher, the remaining characters must navigate a more treacherous journey in Outer Banks.