The Outer Banks universe is expanding. Just one day before the fifth and final season arrives on Netflix, the creators of the hit teen drama have confirmed that a prequel series is in the works. The new project, which is currently being referred to as Kildare, will take viewers back 20 years before the adventures of John B and the Pogues began.
The prequel will explore the origins of the deep social divide on Kildare Island between the wealthy Kooks and the working-class Pogues. This conflict has been at the heart of the original series since it first premiered.
Creators Confirm Script Is in the Works
Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke, the trio who created Outer Banks, are behind the prequel project. They have been thinking about this concept for a couple of years. Jonas Pate had previously mentioned the idea in interviews with Wilmington’s Port City Daily in 2023 and 2024.
The project has recently entered formal development at Netflix and is gaining momentum. With the main series ending its five-season run, the creators have been able to focus more on this new story.
“We’re working on the script,” Josh Pate told Deadline. “We’re working hard on it with our awesome partners from Netflix, and we’re just trying to get all of it as good as it can be.”
Exploring the Origins of the Pogue-Kook Rivalry
The prequel will focus on how Kildare Island split into two very different worlds. The Kooks live in the wealthy Figure Eight neighborhood, while the Pogues come from the working-class area known as The Cut.
Josh Pate explained the core idea behind the new series.
“It really is the story of how the island split — and it’s particularly relevant in our country right now — how it split into the haves and have-nots, how the Kooks and the Pogues started,” he said. “How did this rift start?”
The show will look at the historical and economic factors that created the social divide. This conflict between the two groups has been a central theme throughout Outer Banks, driving many of the show’s major storylines.
Familiar Families and New Characters
Since the prequel is set 20 years before the original events, it will focus on the parents’ generation. Shannon Burke shared that viewers will see some familiar names and family lines.
“And seen through the stories of some of the characters you know and some new characters,” Burke said. “But they’re 20 years before, so it’s the parents’ generation.”
The original series has already introduced several parents and older characters. Viewers have met John B’s father, JJ’s dad, and Sarah and Rafe’s father, who grew up as a Pogue before becoming wealthy and joining the Kooks. Pope’s parents, Kiara’s parents, and Topper’s mother and grandfather have also appeared. The show also revealed JJ’s birth parents in season 4.
What This Means for the Outer Banks Universe
The prequel announcement comes at a significant moment. The fifth and final season of Outer Banks is set to premiere on August 20, 2026. This means fans can watch the conclusion of the original story while knowing that more content from this world is on the way.
Netflix has been careful about expanding its hit series with spin-off stories. The streamer declined to comment on the prequel when reached by multiple outlets. However, the project is moving forward with the creators actively working on the script.
The prequel is one of several projects that Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke have in development under their overall deal with Netflix.
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No Cast or Release Date Yet
As of now, there is no cast attached to the prequel. A release date has not been announced, and the project is still in the writing phase. Given that it is set 20 years before the original, the main cast members from Outer Banks are not expected to return.
The creators have a clear vision for the show, but fans will need to wait for more details about production and casting. The focus right now is on completing the script and getting the story right.
Also Read: Outer Banks Season 5 Release Date and Final Episodes: The Pogues Seek Revenge for JJ’s Death
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