{"id":8221,"date":"2026-08-25T19:42:58","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T18:42:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/?p=8221"},"modified":"2026-08-25T20:04:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T19:04:57","slug":"chase-stokes-outer-banks-cast-felt-backlash-reaction-to-jj-death-rudy-pankow-season-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thetab.com\/filmshrine\/2026\/08\/25\/chase-stokes-outer-banks-cast-felt-backlash-reaction-to-jj-death-rudy-pankow-season-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Chase Stokes admits Outer Banks cast \u2018felt the backlash\u2019 as he reveals reaction to JJ’s death"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following the release of Outer Banks season five, Chase Stokes has opened up about what it was like filming the final chapter of the Netflix show without Rudy Pankow<\/a>, and why the creators refused to budge on JJ\u2019s season four death. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ever since season four landed in 2024, one of the biggest lingering questions was whether Outer Banks<\/a> would stick by JJ\u2019s death. There were theories that Pankow might film flashback scenes, or that the Pogues would use the Blue Crown to bring him back to life<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

But now that season five is here, we know that none of that is true. This has only further fuelled ongoing speculation of a feud<\/a> between Pankow and Kiara actress Madison Bailey, which kicked off in 2023. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Madison
Credit: Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the rumours, the cast have never spoken of any bad blood between them. Plus, the Outer Banks creators themselves have insisted the plan for JJ\u2019s death<\/a> was in the pipeline from the beginning. <\/span><\/p>\n

This was reiterated by John B star Chase Stokes<\/a> during his appearance on the latest episode of the Chicks in the Office<\/a> podcast. And by the sounds of things, the cast wouldn\u2019t have had a choice in the matter. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Outer Banks creators refused to budge on JJ\u2019s death<\/h2>\n
\"JJ
Credit: Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When asked about his initial thoughts on losing JJ, Stokes said, \u201cThey sat us all down and they said, \u2018This is what’s going on, and this is where this season and this episode are going to end.\u2019 We were like, \u2018Oh sh*t. Okay.\u2019  And I guess to their credit it had been something that they had planned.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Stokes believes the creators were \u201cworried\u201d about their reaction as they would often talk through the scripts together, allowing the cast to voice what they did or didn\u2019t like and whether changes should be made. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs much as we’re probably a pain in the ass for it, they do work with us with that,\u201d he continued. \u201cNot just with dialogue, but with plot points too. So I think that was their time where they were like, \u2018All right, we’re holding strong on this one.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Stokes described the whole thing as \u201cbizarre\u201d, but they had to find a way to accept it. The hosts then pointed out that somebody from Outer Banks probably had to die, given the sheer amount of times the characters have escaped death. <\/span><\/p>\n

He agreed, noting that when the main characters repeatedly put themselves in danger only to survive, eventually viewers stop believing any death will actually stick.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The
Credit: Netflix<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThat was my fear with JJ\u2019s death,\u201d he said, acknowledging that they had \u201cfelt the backlash\u201d from it. \u201cIf you escape death so many times, then does the value of when death actually happens stick?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Even after JJ was stabbed and buried at the end of season four, plenty of fans remained convinced Pankow would somehow return, particularly when the season five trailer teased Kiara attempting to use the Blue Crown to bring him back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere were enough people being like, \u2018Oh, maybe he will come back. Maybe he will come back,\u2019\u201d Stokes said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s kind of a bummer, you know? Like, it didn\u2019t hold.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The actor went on to say that while filming season five, he had one major concern about the storyline surrounding JJ: that the show might lean too heavily into the possibility that he could actually be resurrected.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy only big qualm was like, please, let\u2019s not lean too far into, like, \u2018Could this actually work?\u2019\u201d he said, adding that he was happy with how it turned out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rudy Pankow\u2019s absence was felt throughout season five<\/h2>\n
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A post shared by JJ and John B (@johnb_jj)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Since JJ really was gone, Pankow\u2019s absence was apparently felt throughout the filming of the final season. <\/span><\/p>\n

When asked whether it felt strange without his longtime co-star, Stokes replied, \u201cYeah. Rudy\u2019s such a character and he\u2019s such an energy, not just in the press run, but actually on set. It was like the ghost of him was around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With JJ previously providing so much of the Netflix<\/a> show\u2019s humour, Stokes revealed that he and Pope actor Jonathan Daviss had a \u201creally heart-to-heart conversation\u201d before filming about making sure season five didn\u2019t lose that side of Outer Banks entirely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe really, really made a point\u2026 to make sure that there was the heart of JJ in it,\u201d Stokes explained. This even extended to some smaller details viewers may have noticed. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Chase Stokes revealed it was Rudy Pankow\u2019s suggestion for JJ Maybank to wear the \u201cPookie\u201d shirt and that Rudy was always really creative and suggestive when it came to JJ clothes and accessories. pic.twitter.com\/6w9Ihljf1a<\/a><\/p>\n

— Rudy Pankow News (@RPankowNews) August 25, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n