The series finale has several full-circle moments for the treasure-hunting teens.

*Outer Banks *season 5 ending explained: Find out what happens to the Pogues

The series finale has several full-circle moments for the treasure-hunting teens.

By Shelby Stivale

Shelby Stivale

Shelby Stivale is a senior writer at **. She has been working at EW since July 2026. Her work has previously appeared on Us Weekly and J-14.

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August 22, 2026 9:00 a.m. ET

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(From left) Drew Starkey as Rafe, Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron, Carlacia Grant as Cleo, Chase Stokes as John B, Madison Bailey as Kiara, and Jonathan Daviss as Pope. Credit:

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

- The final season of *Outer Banks *premiered on Netflix on Aug. 20.

- Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Jonathan Daviss, Madison Bailey, and Carlacia Grant return as the Pogues for one last ride.

- The series finale ends with one death and some characters seeing a happy ending.

**This post contains spoilers for *Outer Banks *season 5.**

The *Outer Banks** *final season offered several full-circle moments for the Pogues as they ended their story right where it started — on Kildare Island.

At the center of the story is the returning cast of characters: John B (Chase Stokes), Sarah (Madelyn Cline), Pope (Jonathan Daviss), Kiara (Madison Bailey), and Cleo (Carlacia Grant). The Netflix show’s final season kicks off right where the last one ended, with the Pogues reeling over the death of their friend JJ (Rudy Pankow).

While they’re still on the hunt for the Blue Crown (which just might have resurrection powers), the teens also kicked off a revenge mission. After JJ’s death, they’re determined to track down Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane) and kill him — just like he murdered their friend.

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In the midst of their ongoing treasure hunt, however, the Pogues make their triumphant return to the Outer Banks and act like kids again. A still-pregnant Sarah celebrates her 20th birthday, John B finds himself in debt to some drug dealers, and Rafe (Drew Starkey), kind of, becomes a Pogue.

“It all ended exactly where we thought it would,” Daviss told * *exclusively ahead of the final season’s premiere, noting that everyone “in some way” gets exactly what they wanted. But it was, of course, a battle to get there.

The *Outer Banks *series finale is reminiscent of the first season finale with the Pogues stuck in a hurricane. Groff is still on the loose, and this time he has the Royal Merchant gold. After a final face-off with Kiara, Groff meets his end by drowning during the storm. She gets saved by her friends, and they wait out the hurricane on Kildare. Once the storm ends, the Pogues are left in ruins. But with no more big bad adults in their way, the Royal Merchant gold is officially theirs. So, all’s well that ends well.

“I think we were all very emotionally charged by that ending,” Daviss told EW. Keep reading for a complete breakdown of what happened to each character at the end of *Outer Banks*.

John B and Sarah get their happy ending

Chase Stokes as John B and Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron on ‘Outer Banks’.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Cline was one of the lucky ones, telling EW that she “already knew” what Sarah’s fate was going to be.

“What was pitched to us at the beginning of the show is exactly what it ended with,” Stokes added. “To actually stick to that, commit to that and then see it all the way through is a really beautiful thing.”

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The show’s final scene was a one-year time jump with John B and Sarah getting married — for real this time. Their baby boy, named JJ, was present for the ceremony and *totally *stole the show. Their wedding reception also allowed for an iconic credits montage that showed the Pogues in their prime.

“I wish for them air conditioning and a happy marriage and a happy baby,” Cline told EW when looking forward to Sarah and John B’s future as husband and wife. Stokes just hopes that the duo will “stay out of trouble.”

Kiara’s lifelong dream came true

Madison Bailey as Kiara on ‘Outer Banks’.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

Kiara went through it during season 5. After losing JJ, she’s noticeably different and has revenge on the mind. After seeing JJ one last time (thanks to the Blue Crown) and getting rid of Groff for good, she’s finally ready to move on with her life. The finale showed her doing the one thing she always wanted to do: become a marine biologist.

“Starting the show, I never really knew what Kiara’s ending would be,” Bailey told EW. “Obviously, with the shocking finale last year, I think she had the happiest ending that she could have. I’m happy with it, and I hope the fans are at peace with that as well.”

Pope and Cleo are still together

Carlacia Grant as Cleo and Jonathan Daviss as Pope on ‘Outer Banks’.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

The on-screen couple had a series of ups and downs throughout the final season, with Pope going to jail and Cleo getting deported (twice). But they found their way back. Pope ultimately proposed and, because of their Royal Merchant gold, Cleo was allowed to move back to America.

“I was shocked,” Grant admitted to EW when reflecting on her character’s ending. The one thing she was happy about? Cleo and Pope getting to move into Tannyhill. “I thought that was cool to circle it [back],” she added.

The fall of Rafe Cameron

Drew Starkey as Rafe on ‘Outer Banks’.

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

King Kook no more, Rafe is forced to flee from the Outer Banks after (in another full-circle moment) the truth about him shooting Sheriff Peterkin (Adina Porter) in season 1 comes to light. He and Sofia (Fiona Palomo) leave Kildare in the wake of the hurricane and head for South America.

“I think that Rafe needs to just find an island and sip on a piña colada and just chill out for a couple years,” Starkey told EW.

All episodes of *Outer Banks *are now streaming on Netflix.

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Teen”