Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Outer Banks season 4, part 1.
Outer Banksseason 4, part 1 contains many surprises, the biggest of which pertains to JJ Maybank’s family history, which was unveiled at the end of episode 5. In the Netflix action-adventure mystery teen drama series, JJ (played by Rudy Pankow) is the most reckless, carefree, and fearless member of the Pogues. He comes from a rough home life, and his trauma has shaped him into thecharacter he is inOuter Banksseason 4. However,JJ’s life could have (and should have) been very different if one pivotal decision hadn’t been madewhen he was an infant.
WhenOuter Banksseason 4, part 1 premieres, JJ and his friends (John B, Pope, Kiara, Sarah, and Cleo) are basking in the afterglow of their El Dorado discovery. The Pogues use their newfound fortune to buy the Maybank property, turn it into a home, and build a shop. Unfortunately, thanks to JJ, they spend almost all of their money way too quickly. Consequently,the Pogues cut a deal with Wes Genrette — find Blackbeard’s wife’s (Elizabeth) amulet,and he’ll give them $50,000. They accept, but the group (especially JJ) couldn’t have predicted what truths would be revealed during the treasure hunt.
JJ Is Actually The Son Of Larissa Genrette & Chandler Groff
Luke Isn’t JJ’s Birth Father
WhileOuter Banks' fan-favorite couple JJ and Kiarasearch for Elizabeth’s necklace in Blackbeard’s sunken ship, Wes dies inOuter Banksseason 4. The Genrette family’s curse seemingly gets Wes as he sees Elizabeth’s ghost prior to his death (or the more likely option, someone strangled and murdered him). However, before he dies,Wes writes a letter, which the audience learns during episode 5 is to JJ.
David Jensen
Wes Genrette
In the letter, Wes tells JJ to ask his father aboutAlbatross. So, JJ sets out looking for Luke, who has been AWOL sinceOuter Banksseason 2because of his warrant, but JJ eventually finds him. After running from Deputy Shoupe and the police, Luke explains that he’s not JJ’s father by blood, asLarissa Genrette is his birth mother, making Chandler Groff, Larissa’s husband, JJ’s birth father.
Consequently, Wes is also JJ’s grandfather, which is why he tends to focus on him throughoutOuter Banksseason 4, part 1. Meanwhile,it’s unclear whether Groff is aware that JJ is his son.But Groff’s line about believing in JJ in episode 2 may suggest he knows the truth.
The World Thinks JJ Died With His Mother As An Infant
People Believe JJ Drowned With Larissa
The Pogues, along with Wes and Groff, briefly discuss what happened to Larissa all those years agoinOuter Banksseason 4, part 1. She drowned and died, but there is more to the story.Rumors claim that Larissa and Groff’s infant son drowned with her,killing both of them. However, the audience knows this isn’t true because if JJ truly is the couple’s son, JJ’s status as a living human being proves their baby did not drown with Larissa.
Netflix splitOuter Banksseason 4 into two parts each consisting of five episodes, with part 1 premiering on July 17, 2025, and part 2 dropping a month later on June 13, 2025.
Since JJ did not know the truth behind his parentage, and seemingly no one did except for Luke, it makes sense why the world thinks Larissa’s baby died with her that night. JJ thought he was a Maybank, and so did everyone else in the Outer Banks. There was no reason to believe otherwise, especially when reports claimed that Larissa and Groff’s son drowned with her. Now that the secret is out, though,everyone will be questioning what really happened the night LarissadiedinOuter Banksseason4, part 2.
What “Albatross” Is & Why Luke Maybank Raised JJ As His Son
JJ Was Given To Luke After Larissa Died
Since Wes writes in his letter that JJ should ask his father aboutAlbatross, Luke starts with that before telling his son Larissa and Groff are his birth parents in the fifthepisode ofOuter Banksseason4. Luke tells JJ thatAlbatrosswas the name of the boat Larissa was on when she drowned.That will likely come back into play inOuter Banksseason 4, part 2. But for now, all that is known aboutAlbatrossis that it was the last place Larissa was before she drowned, allegedly with her baby.
Outer Banks Season 4 Has A New Challenge To Overcome After S3’s Disappointing Change
Outer Banks season 4 is coming to Netflix, but the upcoming episodes of the mystery teen drama series must redeem one season 3 failure.
As for why Luke assumed the role of JJ’s dad, that information isn’t shared by theending ofOuter Banksseason 4, part 1.Luke reveals that when he “took [JJ] on” he was “just trying to help,“but that is all JJ gets out of him. One would think Groff would get custody of JJ after Larissa’s tragic death. Nevertheless, Luke (unfortunately) raised JJ as his own son, consistently abusing him, getting drunk, and using drugs. He led JJ to believe that his old girlfriend was his mother who left them. In reality, Larissa, who Luke said was a good person, is JJ’s mom.
What JJ Being A Direct Genrette Descendant Means In Outer Banks
JJ’s Real Identity Was Hidden For A Reason
Now that the cat is out of the bag,JJ is undoubtedly in danger inOuter Banksseason 4, part 2.His true identity was a secret for a reason. Larissa probably wanted to hide JJ from something or someone (or both) to protect him, which is how Luke ended up with JJ and raised him as his own son. Perhaps Larissa wanted to ensure that JJ wouldn’t also succumb to the Genrette family curse. Or, given the nefarious vibes Groff is giving off, Larissa (and possibly Wes) hoped to protect JJ from his birth father.
JJ might be in danger if Groff finds out (if he doesn’t already know).
If Groff truly is a villain, he easily could have been the one who murdered Wes. Knowing that he is working with Hollis Robinson suggests Groff wants to own Goat Island, and Wes being dead makes that a lot easier. Whatever the case, JJ’s identity being revealed raises many concerns. Firstly,if the curse from Elizabeth is real, JJ could die.Or, JJ might be in danger if Groff finds out (if he doesn’t already know). Hopefully,JJ’sOuterBanksstorydoesn’t get any sadder, and season 4 ends with him happy and healthy.
Outer Banks
Cast
Outer Banks follows a group of teenagers in the Outer Banks of North Carolina as they uncover a legendary treasure linked to the mysterious disappearance of the group’s leader’s father, leading to a series of dangerous and thrilling adventures.
