If you thought Outer Banks couldn’t throw more surprises your way, Season 4, Part 1 changes everything for JJ Maybank.
He’s always been the wild, reckless, and fiercely loyal Pogue, but beneath that tough exterior lies a much darker family history.
In the first five episodes of Season 4, we finally learn the truth about who JJ’s real parents are, and it’s a revelation that could shift the entire dynamic of the Pogues.
In Outer Banks Season 4, we learn that JJ’s real father is Chandler Groff, not Luke Maybank. His biological mother is Larissa Genrette, making Wes Genrette, who dies in Episode 5, his grandfather.
The Big Revelation: JJ’s Real Family
When we meet JJ (played by Rudy Pankow) in Outer Banks, he’s defined by his troubled home life with his abusive dad, Luke Maybank. But in Season 4, that entire backstory takes a wild turn.
While the Pogues are on a treasure hunt to find Blackbeard’s wife Elizabeth’s amulet, they strike a deal with Wes Genrette, who promises them $50,000 if they can retrieve the necklace.
During this treasure hunt, JJ finds out that he’s not actually a Maybank by blood. Wes Genrette leaves a letter for JJ before he dies, telling him to ask his father about something called “Albatross.”
When JJ confronts Luke about the cryptic message, Luke reveals a massive secret: Larissa Genrette, not the woman Luke claimed was JJ’s mom, is actually JJ’s biological mother. And Chandler Groff, Larissa’s husband, is his real father.
Luke’s admission rocks JJ to his core. As if that wasn’t enough, JJ also learns that most people believed he drowned with Larissa when she died on the boat named Albatross, but JJ was secretly given to Luke to be raised. This means that not only is JJ biologically tied to the wealthy Genrette family, but he’s also connected to the mysterious curse that seems to haunt them.
The Genrette Family Curse and What It Means for JJ
JJ’s newly discovered connection to the Genrette family could put him in danger. The Genrettes believe they’re cursed because of their ancestor, Francis Genrette, who was involved in the capture and killing of Blackbeard and his wife, Elizabeth.
As part of this curse, Elizabeth’s ghost is rumored to haunt the Genrettes, leading to the tragic deaths of many family members, including Larissa and now Wes.
Given that JJ is the last living descendant of the Genrettes, this revelation opens up all kinds of potential dangers. Could JJ be the next target of the curse? Does Chandler Groff, his real father, know about JJ’s existence, and if so, what are his intentions?
This newfound family history could change everything for JJ. Not only does it challenge his identity as a Pogue—he’s actually a Kook by birth—but it also raises questions about what his future holds.
Will he embrace his Genrette heritage and take on the family curse, or will he continue to rebel against the Kook lifestyle that the Pogues have always despised?
The revelation is bound to affect JJ emotionally. He’s already known for being the most impulsive member of the group, and learning that his entire life has been based on a lie is sure to make him act out.
Now that Wes Genrette is dead, the only family JJ has left is Chandler Groff, who may or may not know the truth. Plus, with the treasure hunt still ongoing, the stakes are higher than ever for JJ and the rest of the Pogues.
How do you think JJ will handle his new identity? Will his relationship with the Pogues change now that he knows he’s a Kook by blood?