See How the “Outer Banks” Pogues Grew Up from Season 1 to Now

‘Outer Banks,’ which premiered in 2020, released its fifth and final season on Aug. 20

NEED TO KNOW

• Outer Banks debuted on Netflix in April 2020
• The series ended with season 5 on Aug. 20
• Many of the original characters from season 1 survived the chaotic events that built up to and continued through season 5

The Outer Banks characters are officially done hunting for treasure.

After premiering in April 2020, the teen drama came to an end when Netflix released its fifth and final season on Aug. 20.

Original stars Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Drew Starkey and Austin North all returned for season 5, but not without their characters experiencing some heavy losses — and gains — along the way. Rudy Pankow and Carlacia Grant starred in four of the five seasons.

Ahead of the fifth season, Stokes spoke to PEOPLE in December 2025 about watching the series go from a “little tiny boat show” to a “global phenomenon.”

The actor said that he and his costars are “thankful for the run, and we’re ready for it to be done,” explaining that they “want to cut the chord before we lose the plot.”

Below, take a look at how the Outer Banks characters have grown up since their first season.

01 of 08

Chase Stokes as John Booker “John B” Routledge

Stokes has starred as John Booker “John B” Routledge since season 1. 

Outer Banks gave Stokes his big break after he appeared in a few projects, including an episode of Stranger Things that aired in 2016 and the 2018 TV movie The Beach House.

During a July 2021 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the actor said that before landing the role of John B, he spent two months living in his car in Los Angeles as he tried to make it in Hollywood.

Three years later, he shared his appreciation for Outer Banks in a conversation with PEOPLE, saying, “I will always be grateful for this show and for our showrunners to take a chance on a kid who had little to no credits on his resume.”

After season 5 was released, he shared his gratitude on Instagram, writing, “It’s been an honor to bring John B to life the past 6 years.”

02 of 08

Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron

Since season 1, Cline has starred as Sarah Cameron — a Kook turned Pogue after falling in love with John B.

Before joining the Netflix series, Cline also appeared in a few episodes of Stranger Things, as well as The Originals and Vice Principals. Since taking on the role of Sarah, the actress has gone on to star in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) and The Map That Leads to You (2025).

Ahead of the fifth season, Cline told USA Today Entertainment that the last day on the Outer Banks set felt like “graduating college.”

“It was really fun. It was really emotional,” she said.

03 of 08

Madison Bailey as Kiara Carrera

Bailey starred in the series as Kiara “Kie” Carrera — the first girl member of the Pogues with a Kook heritage and a passion for wildlife — since the show’s inception.

Prior to bringing Kie to life, Bailey made appearances in various TV shows and the 2020 film Impractical Jokers: The Movie.

In August 2026, the actress marked the end of Outer Banks with a carousel of behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram.

“[The] little boat show that changed my life forever. goodbye island paradise,” Bailey wrote. “Kiara Carrera, signing out.”

04 of 08

Jonathan Daviss as Pope Heyward

From the beginning, Daviss has portrayed Pogue member Pope Heyward. In the pilot episode, John B described him as the “brains” of the Pogue group’s operation, the “smartest person” he knows and also “a little bit of a weirdo.”

The actor appeared in an episode of the TV series Revolution in 2013 and a few movies prior to joining the Outer Banks cast as Pope. He will soon portray Snoop Dogg in a biopic of the musician.

Ahead of the release of the fifth season, Daviss spoke to PEOPLE about the show coming to an end. He noted that while “waterworks” hit for everyone when they heard the words “series wrap,” they felt more than just “sadness.”

“It’s a strange feeling of … Relief isn’t the right word. It’s more like, it’s awe,” Daviss said. “Like, wow, this is something that’s been so stable in my life. The best thing I can equate it to is when you graduate school, and you know you’re not going to see these people in the same capacity ever again. This time, it’s capsulized.”

05 of 08

Drew Starkey as Rafe Cameron

Starkey joined the original Outer Banks cast in season 1 as Rafe Cameron, Sarah’s big brother. While Rafe was introduced as a violent, drug-addicted character in season 1, he experienced somewhat of a redemption arc that stretched into season 5.

Before Outer Banks, Starkey appeared in Love, Simon (2018) and The Hate U Give (2018), among other projects including TV shows and shorts. He recently appeared in the Apple TV miniseries Lucky.

Five seasons of Outer Banks later, the actor spoke to GQ about the empathy he feels for his complicated character Rafe.

“I think he is a person who deserves love,” Starkey said. “He needs to be seen to make him feel seen and understood. He always felt just like a black sheep. So yeah, I’m proud of him. I think he did the best he could.”

The actor added, “He still needs to go to therapy.”

06 of 08

Rudy Pankow as JJ Maybank

Pankow played JJ Maybank from season 1 through season 4, when the loyal but reckless member of the Pogues tragically died at the hands of his biological father in the season 4 finale.

The actor, who recently starred in Reminders of Him (2026), appeared in the TV series The Politician and many short films before breaking out as JJ.

After his work on the series wrapped, Pankow told Tudum in November 2024 that he was grateful for his time on the show.

“This is by far the biggest thing I’ve ever done in my career, and to have this as my start is a start of a lifetime,” he said, before adding a message to fans: “It’s been an honor to bring [JJ] to life for you all, and it’s been a joy to play him. P4L!”

07 of 08

Carlacia Grant as Cleo Anderson

Grant joined the Outer Banks cast as Cleo in season 2. The Pogues met Cleo in Nassau, Bahamas, where she was a street-smart smuggler before becoming a member of their misfit group.

Grant appeared in a couple of TV projects, including Roots, Game of Silence, Greenleaf and The Resident before taking on the role of Cleo.

After season 5 of Outer Banks was released, the actress shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, reflecting on what it was like to join the Pogue crew.

“I remember how excited but nervous I was to join this cast back in season 2. My life was so vastly different,” she wrote. “Just a girl with a wild dream of seeing herself on screen. At the beginning of this journey I thought of all the ways I could bring myself to this character, but after a while the lines blurred and Cleo [ended] up teaching me so much about myself.”

She added, “Her humor, wit, humility, and transparency are things I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. … Playing Cleo has been the experience of a lifetime and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this privileged opportunity.”

08 of 08

Austin North as Topper

North portrayed Topper, an entitled Kook and Sarah’s obsessive ex-boyfriend, in season 1 through season 5.

Before playing Topper, North starred in the Disney Channel TV series I Didn’t Do It, and made appearances in General Hospital, A.N.T Farm and Jessie.

In December 2025, he shared a photo on Instagram from his first day on the Outer Banks set, writing, “I had no idea how much this show would change my life.”

“Five seasons and countless memories with some of my best friends,” he continued. “Forever grateful to the creators for trusting me with this role. If you had a love-hate relationship with Topper… mission accomplished;).”

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