Dive into the sun-soaked, treasure-hunting world of Netflix’s Outer Banks, where the stakes are high, and the friendships are even stronger. At the heart of the Pogues, we find the daring and often reckless JJ Maybank, brought to life by the talented Rudy Pankow. As season 4 unfolds, questions about the ages of our beloved characters naturally arise. If you’re curious specifically about JJ’s age and the actor behind him, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore how old JJ Maybank is in Outer Banks season 4 and the real age of Rudy Pankow during filming.
Outer Banks centers around a tight-knit group of teenagers, the Pogues, navigating life, love, and legendary treasures in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. While the characters are portrayed as young adults on screen, the actors embodying these roles are, in reality, older. This age difference is a common aspect of teen dramas, and Outer Banks is no exception. With the series progressing to season 4 and featuring an 18-month time jump after season 3, understanding the characters’ ages and the actors’ ages becomes even more intriguing.
John B. Routledge’s Age in Season 4 and Chase Stokes’ Real Age
In Outer Banks season 4, John B Routledge, the charismatic leader of the Pogues, is estimated to be around 19 years old. This estimation comes after the 18-month leap in time from the end of season 3. While the series doesn’t explicitly state John B’s exact age, context clues and the timeline suggest he’s approximately 19.
The actor who portrays John B, Chase Stokes, was significantly older than his character during the filming of season 4. Stokes was 30 years old when production began and celebrated his 31st birthday, on September 16th, during filming. This age gap highlights the difference between the on-screen portrayal of youthful characters and the real ages of the actors who bring them to life.
Sarah Cameron’s Age and Madelyn Cline’s Age Discrepancy
Sarah Cameron, John B’s wife and a key member of the Pogues, is also believed to be around 19 years old in Outer Banks season 4, mirroring the estimated age of her peers after the time jump. Like John B, Sarah’s age is inferred rather than explicitly stated within the show’s narrative.
Madelyn Cline, the actress who brilliantly plays Sarah, was 25 years old when filming for season 4 commenced. She turned 26 on December 21, 2023, around the midpoint of production. Cline’s age, like Stokes’, is considerably older than Sarah’s character age, a common practice in casting for teen dramas.
Pope Heyward’s Age and Jonathan Daviss’ Age Closer to Character
Pope Heyward, the brains of the Pogues operation, is also estimated to be 19 years old in season 4. As all the original Pogues were in the same school year, it’s logical to assume they are all roughly the same age.
Interestingly, Jonathan Daviss, who plays Pope, is the closest in age to his character among the Pogue actors. Daviss was 23 when filming began for season 4 and turned 24 on February 28, 2024, before production concluded. This smaller age gap makes Daviss’ portrayal of the studious and thoughtful Pope even more relatable to the character’s intended age.
Kiara “Kie” Carrera’s Age and Madison Bailey’s Real Age
Kiara “Kie” Carrera, the free-spirited and environmentally conscious Pogue, is also considered to be around 19 years old in Outer Banks season 4. Following the established timeline and the 18-month time jump, Kie’s age aligns with the rest of the Pogues.
Madison Bailey, the actress embodying Kiara, was 24 years old when she started filming season 4. Bailey celebrated her 25th birthday on January 29, 1999, during the production period. Like her co-stars, Bailey is older than her on-screen character, a typical casting choice for shows depicting teenage characters.
Madison Bailey as Kiara and Rudy Pankow as JJ in Outer Banks season 4.
JJ Maybank’s Age in Outer Banks Season 4 and Rudy Pankow’s Age
JJ Maybank, the wild card and loyal friend of the Pogues, is also estimated to be 19 years old in Outer Banks season 4. Given his close friendship with John B since childhood and being in the same grade as the other Pogues, it’s consistent to place JJ’s age around 19. This makes him part of the core group of teenagers navigating the treacherous waters of the Outer Banks.
Rudy Pankow, the actor who masterfully brings JJ to life, was 24 years old when filming for season 4 commenced in June 2023. Pankow turned 25 shortly after, on August 12, 2023. He was 25 years old when Outer Banks season 4 officially wrapped filming in June 2024. This means Rudy Pankow, like the other actors playing Pogues, is portraying a character significantly younger than his actual age. Despite this age difference, Pankow’s portrayal of JJ resonates deeply with audiences, capturing the character’s vulnerability, humor, and unwavering loyalty.
Outer Banks season 4 delves deeper into JJ’s character development. He faces numerous challenges and undergoes significant personal growth. JJ grapples with financial decisions, family secrets, and romantic relationships, making his journey in season 4 particularly compelling. His storyline, including discovering Chandler Groff is his biological father and the tragic backstory of his mother Larissa Genrette, adds layers to his character, making him a fan favorite.
Cleo’s Age and Carlacia Grant’s Age Difference
Cleo, who joined the Pogues in season 2, is also believed to be around 19 years old in Outer Banks season 4. While her background is different from the original Pogues, she is considered to be in the same age range as her friends.
Carlacia Grant, who plays Cleo, is significantly older than her character. Grant was 32 years old when production for season 4 began and turned 33 by the time filming concluded. Cleo’s age is the most ambiguous among the Pogues, but it’s generally accepted that she is close in age to the rest of the group within the show’s universe.
Outer Banks season 4 part 1 poster
Age Discrepancies Between Outer Banks Characters and Actors: A Common TV Trope
The age differences between the actors and their characters in Outer Banks are not unusual in television, especially in teen dramas. Casting older actors to play teenage roles is a common practice for several reasons, including legal considerations, maturity for demanding filming schedules, and the ability to handle complex emotional scenes.
While Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, and Carlacia Grant are all older than their Outer Banks counterparts, their performances convincingly portray the youthful energy and experiences of the Pogues. This age discrepancy doesn’t detract from the audience’s enjoyment of the show but rather highlights the talent of these actors in embodying younger characters.
In conclusion, while JJ Maybank and the other Pogues are estimated to be around 19 years old in Outer Banks season 4, Rudy Pankow and his fellow actors are in their mid-twenties to early thirties. This age gap is a standard practice in television and doesn’t diminish the captivating performances that bring the world of Outer Banks to life. Knowing the real ages of the actors adds another layer of appreciation for their skill in portraying these beloved teenage characters.
