Outer Banks fans got a treat during 2023's Poguelandia event (which took place on February 18 in Huntington Beach, California). While celebrating the release of Outer Banks season 3, the cast took to the stage to announce that we were also getting Outer Banks season 4! As a native Outer Banks-er myself, this is one teen drama I will never be able to get enough of — so keep the seasons coming Netflix!
I'm already thinking about what hijinks the Pogues will get up to in Outer Banks season 4. Here's everything we know about the new TV show, including the cast, the plot, and the Outer Banks season 4 release date! Once you've scrolled through, catch up on The Craziest Outer Banks Theories.
Keep reading for the latest news & updates on Outer Banks season 4.
Who runs over the turtles in Outer Banks?
Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix
The one Outer Banks season 4 scene that has fans freaking out is when the Pogues and Kooks wind up at the same access on their beach day — and a game of chicken literally turns deadly. Topper's new girlfriend Ruthie (played by Mia Challis) drives her Jeep directly at the Pogues, and winds up running over a turtle hatch, killing a baby turtle in the process.
“When I read that in the script, I was as shocked as the viewers," she tells Elite Daily. "I read it four times being like, ‘Wait, a baby turtle? No, surely not.'"
Despite her cold shoulder, Mia thinks Ruthie did end up feeling guilty about the situation. "When she finds out the turtles have died, she thinks, 'What have I done?'" she says. "There is slight remorse. But Ruthie's defense mechanism is to pretend like she doesn't care."
"It's such an emotional scene for Madison Bailey, who plays Kiara," she continues. "They gave her a plastic baby turtle to hold. When that was happening, we were looking down at the turtle and thinking it was so sad. But I had to switch that off and try to get into my Ruthie mindset."
But surprisingly, Mia also reveals filming the emotional scene wasn't as devastating as you might expect: "We were laughing the whole time. When I watched it, I felt awful, but on the actual day of filming, it was quite light and fun."
Is there an Outer Banks season 4 trailer?
Netflix
Yes, you can watch the Outer Banks season 4 trailer here! The trailer really proves the show is returning to its roots by bringing the Pogues back to the OBX.
I have all my fingers and toes crossed we finally get some answers to one question I've had since season 1. I'm convinced that during Kiara's Kook year, when she briefly ditched the boys to become friends with Sarah, that Rafe fell for her, and hasn't left her alone since. This is such a small detail but it would provide so much context for the characters! Either way, it looks like Rafe, JJ, and John B will be fighting this season (again).
When is Outer Banks season 4 coming out?
Netflix
Summer vacation is lasting all year long! Outer Banks season 4 will be premiering in two parts: we'll get the first five episodes on October 10, and the second five on November 7.
After Madison Bailey revealed in an Instagramstory that Outer Banks 4 finished filming in June, she confirmed we'd be getting Outer Banks season 4 this fall on August 15 with a hilarious video hyping up John B and Sarah's fictional surf shop (which we'll see in the upcoming season).
What is season 4 of Outer Banks about?
Netflix
Outer Banks season 3 ended with an 18-month time jump — meaning the characters will be a year and a half older at the end of Outer Banks season 4 than in previous installments of the show. This definitely works in the series' favor because the characters will be closer to the cast's ages. Plus, being post-grad gives them more flexibility to go treasure hunting without the repercussions of skipping school...like they did the entirety of season 2.
Thanks to some important details at the end of the season finale, we know Kie is working with turtles, JJ bought a charter boat, Pope is going to college, and John B. and Sarah are running a surf shop. But things take a turn for the adventurous when the Pogues are given a new quest to hunt for Blackbeard's treasure. The real Blackbeard loved hiding his treasure on places like Ocracoke Island, which is on the real OBX. I'm super excited for this plotline because it means we'll be back on the Outer Banks for (hopefully) the whole season!
Netflix
"It’s not going to be the usual Blackbeard story," according to co-creator Josh Pate, and (spoiler!!) we actually have our first plot details. According to Wrightsville Beach recreation program supervisor Katie Ryan (via Wilmington StarNews) and the shows filming permits, we know that one scene will involve "two people jumping from the pier," while a second "involves individuals finding a body on the beach."
While Outer Banks season 4 promises to be as adventurous as ever, Chase Stokes promises People the show will also go back to its roots. “There was a real want for a lot of the authenticity and the characters in season 1. So I will say that they do a good job this season of that,” he says.
Netflix
After the death of Sarah and John B.'s fathers, the show's golden couple will have to figure out what their future looks like. “It really will force them to evaluate everything," he says. "Where they are, what their purpose is, what their intentions are, and what was the actual value of it? Was it worth it, in hindsight? If they could go back and change things, would they?"
"[The Pogues have had] a huge, huge shift in lifestyle in a very, very short period of time," Chase continues. “And I think when you go through that level of trauma, for sure, it'll make you start asking those deeper questions.”
Who's in the Outer Banks season 4 cast?
Netflix
We're expecting the main cast to return for Outer Banks season 4, including Chase Stokes as John B., Madelyn Cline as Sarah, Madison Bailey as Kiara, Jonathan Daviss as Pope, Rudy Pankow as JJ, Carlacia Grant as Cleo, Drew Starkey as Rafe, and Austin North as Topper.
Fiona Palomo will star as Sofia alongside J. Anthony Crane as Chandler Groff, Pollyanna McIntosh as Dalia, Brianna Brown as Hollis Robinson, Rigo Sanchez as Lightner, Mia Challis as Ruthie, and Cullen Moss as Shoupe.
Since Charles Esten's Ward ends up (spoiler!) dying at the end of season 3, he probably won't make a return — unless the show ventures into ghost territory. Honestly, I wouldn't even be surprised. But even if he's not on set, he recently reunited with Madelyn Cline and Drew Starkey!
Charles Esten/Instagram
"That thing where you’re playing your 4th Annual WARDJAMMER...and your amazing friends who also happen to be your @obx son and daughter surprise you by showing up and hanging out all night and even coming on stage to sing 'Left Hand Free,'" Charles writes on Instagram. "What an absolute joy to wrap my arms around these two! The bond is real and my heart is grateful."
Where is Outer Banks season 4 filming?
Netflix
Outer Banks season 4 has been seen filming around Charleston, South Carolina and Wilmington, North Carolina, which is where other titles like Dawson's Creek,The Summer I Turned Pretty, andOne Tree Hill have all filmed! Because OBX has never filming in Wilmington before, it makes me think the Pogues will truly go on an adventure we've never seen.
The First Look At Outer Banks Season 4
Netflix/YouTube
After Netflix's Tudum event showed off the Pogues' new style (and confirmed that all of them will be returning, thank goodness), we got a brand new look at some Outer Banks season 4 scenes thanks to Netflix's 2024 preview. It's a brief clip, but we hear just how excited the Pogues are to go after a treasure they've "spent [their] whole lives hearing about" (same, TBH) — and get to see them lounging around on a day off. Treasure hunting is hard work, after all!
This first look gives us an idea of what we can expect from this upcoming installment because while season 1 had the golden overtone of our favorite 2000s dramas, season 2 featured warmer orange tones, and season 3 featured cooler blues and greens, it looks like Outer Banks season 4 is youthful, bright, and colorful. And thanks to this clip, we also know for a fact we'll see Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow, Jonathan Daviss, Madelyn Cline, Chase Stokes, and Carlacia Grant come back to their iconic roles.
Is Outer Banks season 4 the last season?
Netflix
Netflix hasn't officially announced whether we'll be getting an Outer Banks season 5 or 6 yet, but creators Jonas and Josh Pate have enough story for another two seasons. "We’re going to fill in some gaps in the 18 months," Josh tells TUDUM. "We felt like we needed to migrate them out of school. We think about the first three [seasons] as a trilogy and then we’re starting over on [another sort of] trilogy now. We just needed to clear the decks. We’re going to have new villains, a new treasure hunt, a new life situation."
I'm excited to see what kind of roots the characters put down in Outer Banks season 4 — and how they flourish as the story continues!
What did you think about Outer Banks season 4? Check out our interview with costume designer Emmie Holmes and The Best New TV Shows Coming In 2024 before you rewatch OBX season 4 again ;).
This post has been updated.
