The treasure hunt is coming to an end.
Netflix's hit series "Outer Banks" returns for its fifth and final season Thursday, Aug. 20, marking the last adventure for John B., the fan-favorite character played by Florida-raised actor Chase Stokes.
Fans have been following John B. and his band of misfits on various adventures along the barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia since the show first aired in April 2020. Earlier this summer, the USA TODAY NETWORK in Florida chatted with the actor about the fifth season of "Outer Banks" and how his time in Florida shaped him.
Stokes said those who have stuck with him and the show during the past six years will be "pretty satisfied" with how it all wraps up.
"One thing that
I think we really hit the nail on the head with this year is that we didn't shy away from letting these characters breathe and exist one final time," Stokes said in June 2026. "Everything that you love about the Pogues and about this world and even all of the surrounding characters … you get those experiences with them that make you realize, 'this is why I decided to commit to this during the pandemic, and this is why I'm still committed to this in 2026.'"
Warning! This will contain spoilers on 'Outer Banks' season 4 and 5.
How to watch the final season of 'Outer Banks' this summer on Netflix
For those prepping for one final adventure with the Pogues and interested in bingeing the entire series before it ends, "Outer Banks" is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
The final season airs globally on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.
What is the final season of 'Outer Banks' about?
The end of the fourth season saw the tragic death of JJ at the hands of his biological father. The Pogues hold a makeshift funeral for their friend and vow revenge, and the upcoming season follows them on their journey in Morocco.
As for what he's taking away after all these years of playing John B., Stokes says it's to always lead with love and empathy. John B. has always done that throughout the show's run.
"It's always bizarre to let go of a sense of security and consistency in your life, especially when it's not up to you, but I think we all have to jump out of the nest at some point and go into the next chapter and find our next endeavor," Stokes says about the show coming to an end. "It's sad to see it end, but it's also an exciting, fresh new chapter."
See cast of Netflix's 'Outer Banks' season 5 finale
- Chase Stokes as John B.
- Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron
- Madison Bailey as Kiara
- Jonathan Daviss as Pope
- Carlacia Grant as Cleo
- Drew Starkey as Rafe
- Austin North as Topper
- Fiona Palomo as Sofia
- J. Anthony (Tony) Crane as Chandler Groff
- Cullen Moss as Deputy Shoupe
Is ‘Outer Banks’ actor Chase Stokes from Florida?
Born in Maryland, Stokes first relocated to Central Florida as a teenager, attending Timbercreek High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Valencia College and later attended the University of Central Florida and Seminole State College.
He noted that his time in Florida helped prep him for his breakout role as "John B. Routledge," the main protagonist and leader of the Pogues in "Outer Banks."
"As I look back, there's definitely some overlap in my derelict teenage years of living in East Orlando," he jokes, before adding, "There's definitely some components of my upbringing that I think helped ease me into the world of the Outer Banks."
What's next for Florida's Chase Stokes? New show coming
He is set to star with actor Dennis Quaid in "Thunder Road," a Taylor Elmore-produced drama series centered around the high-stakes, ruthless world of NASCAR and stock car racing. It's set to premiere on AMC and AMC+ in 2027.
Stokes plays Ronnie, the nephew of Quaid's character, who he describes as "sort of a hotheaded, chaotic guy." Ronnie was a professional racer who threw it away and has demons he's trying to work through.
“It’s a really cool sports family drama with a very different backdrop than what I’ve been doing the last seven years.”
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida’s Chase Stokes is back for final season of 'Outer Banks' on Netflix
