Rudy Pankow isn’t happy that Outer Banks fans blamed his girlfriend, Elaine Siemek, for the rumored behind-the-scenes drama on the show, a source exclusively tells Life & Style.

“It’s been very emotional for Rudy,” the insider says. “He feels terrible that Elaine is getting dragged into this and blamed by some of the fans for him being written off the show. That really upsets him. But he’s counting on it all blowing over once some time has passed.”

Rudy’s Outer Banks character, JJ, died in the season 4 finale, leading to fan speculation that he asked to be killed off because of a rumored falling out with costar Madison Bailey. Fans have targeted Elaine, 28, since 2021 and accused her of causing a rift between Rudy, 26, and Madison, 25, whose characters on Outer Banks became a couple because fans wanted them together so badly.

“How do u explain getting jealous over ur bf doing his job, throwing tantrums, having a fallout w ur bsf, and getting fired as just a narrative? pls seek help,” one fan wrote on X about Elaine. Someone else said, “Elaine why r u so insecure over a *checks notes* fictional…ship…?”

The backlash against Elaine intensified amid season 4 of Outer Banks, especially after fans accused the actors of using stunt doubles in one scene that featured them cuddling. The footage never showed Rudy and Madison in the same frame. Rather, cameras cut back and forth between their faces.

“Rudy and madison using stunt doubles for this???? oh my god get a GRIP,” one viewer wrote, while another claimed, “Rudy and madison had real feelings for each other during s1 and when fans clocked their tea, it hit too close to home. THAT is the reason they don’t talk to each other, have stunt doubles do their romantic scenes, and why rudy asked to be killed off.”

In 2021, Rudy called out fans who were “disrespecting” his girlfriend. “It has gotten to the degree where lies are being spread and accusations are being said that go beyond the normal ‘hate,’” he wrote on Instagram. “Not only is she not what she is being accused of being, she is the complete opposite and actively is so. Accusing someone you don’t know of being abusive and manipulative is not ok, especially when you don’t know the relationship personally.”

Elaine also stood up for herself amid the renewed relationship theories in October. After receiving an influx of negative comments on her Instagram post about season 4 of Outer Banks, she replied, “If you’re coming to my page to just spread hate and negativity, you can go ahead and block or unfollow me. I’m not going to entertain the constant bs narratives & lies being spread about me. There are so many better things to give your energy to and I’m asking you to leave me out of whatever narratives yall have come up with this time.”

Meanwhile, the source exclusively tells Life & Style that Rudy is now “taking a bit of a breather and enjoying some downtime” following his exit from the Netflix series. “When he’s ready, he’s going to have his pick of projects,” the insider adds. “So many offers are coming his way. It’s just a matter of choosing the right ones.”

Plus, “there’s already some buzz that the show might bring him back in some way for next season,” according to the source.