About “Outer Banks” in a few words:

Outer Banks is a teen drama series that premiered on Netflix in April 2020. Set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the show follows a group of friends, known as the Pogues, as they search for treasure linked to the disappearance of John B’s father. Along the way, they face off against their wealthy rivals, the Kooks, and navigate the dangerous waters of the Outer Banks. The series is full of action, romance, and suspense, with a talented cast of up-and-coming actors bringing the characters to life.

Meet the characters from Outer Banks

John B

Oh my gosh John B is that desperate, sun-bleached hero type who lives for mystery and the next big wave — basically the unofficial captain of the Pogues and forever chasing one more lead. He’s stubborn as a rusted anchor and embarrassingly sentimental (like, keeps weird little tokens — a rock, a shoelace, I swear) and also somehow impulsive enough to convince you a terrible plan will totally work. He says he’s chill but panics like a popped balloon when things go sideways, and yet people still follow him because he radiates this annoying, stubborn trustworthiness. Also, he smells faintly of salt and old maps, which I realize is oddly specific but true.

Sarah Cameron

Sarah is complicated in the best way — part ice, part wildfire, and she knows exactly how to ruin your poker face without trying. She can be elegantly cold (champagne and sharp jackets) but will turn into the person who runs into danger barefoot to help someone; also she loves horses? Or hates them? I can never keep that straight but she rides something metaphorical anyway. Her loyalty is savage and quiet, and she plays the long game like a chess player who also texts emojis at 2 a.m.

Kiara

Kie is the heart who snacks on sarcasm and environmental manifestos — she’s fierce, protective, and somehow friends with literally everyone, including birds and the sometimes-terrible people she refuses to give up on. She’s the “bridge” between the rich and the ragged, and she’ll make you a homemade pesto and then lecture you about corporate waste five minutes later. Extremely nosy in an adorable way, and yes she has a secret stash of crystals that she absolutely claims are only for decoration (wink). There’s genuine warmth and a stubborn moral compass that keeps pulling her back when things threaten her crew.

Pope

Pope is equal parts walking encyclopedia and emotional pressure cooker — book-smart, history-obsessed, with a dry sarcasm that’s actually just a defense mechanism. He cares about details to an almost religious degree (can name a pirate captain and the exact year he double-crossed someone) but will also break every rule on principle if it protects a friend. He’s nerdy in a classy way and kinda loves gourmet snacks? Like, very specific crackers. Also, he cries quietly in funny places sometimes, which is tragic and cute at once.

JJ

Oh man, JJ is chaos on two legs but with this ridiculous, loyal heart that makes you forgive so much. Loud, quick-tempered, and theatrically dramatic — he’ll punch a wall and then apologize with a mixtape and a hug — but underneath is this tiny soft kid who just wants to be seen. He does terrible ideas with full conviction and somehow they mostly work, which is maddening, and he’s suspiciously good at peripheral vision (seriously, how). Also he probably hoards candy and old concert tickets; don’t ask why, it’s a vibe.

Topper

Topper is your classic preppy, sunburned rich kid who thinks the world’s a yacht party and also has surprising layers if you squint hard enough. He loves status and athletic things — like, he could win a tennis match and then immediately gossip about the trophy — but occasionally shows flashes of decency that make you tilt your head. Kind of performative, loves looking good in photos, but sometimes actually listens, which is alarming in a good way. Secretly, maybe he reads poetry at 3 a.m. (or lies about it, who knows).

Ward Cameron

Ward is the smooth-talking, linen-suit kind of villain who smiles with the kind of patience that makes you check the back door twice. He presents as respectable — philanthropy, perfect lawn, the Whole Dad Energy — and then does things that make you lose your faith in small-town ethics, quietly and efficiently. Collected, manipulative, with a soft spot he thinks he hides but definitely doesn’t, and he’s always three moves ahead even when he acts like he’s not paying attention. Also he probably has a terrible laugh he thinks is charming; it’s not, but somehow it works for him.

Rafe

Rafe is pure volatility wrapped in bravado — jealous, dangerous, and very much the kind of character who keeps everyone tense just by existing. He flips between trying to be the family’s “good son” and unleashing absolute mayhem, which makes him terrifying and also deeply tragic if you squint. He’s loud, quick to anger, but surprisingly capable of brief moments of regret that nobody knows how to handle. Also he probably still uses a dated cologne and thinks storms are dramatic in a very personal way.

Deputy Shoupe

Deputy Shoupe is that small-town cop who’s more opportunistic than heroic and always has one eye on the rumor mill and the other on his next promotion. He fumbles with authority (donuts in one hand, moral compromise in the other), and is equal parts coward and occasionally competent, which makes him infuriatingly human. He wants respect but will sell out a streetlight for it if given the chance, yet sometimes does the right thing in a half-hearted, sighing way. Also he probably has a terrible tie collection and is an emotional supporter of beige.

Rose

Rose feels like the island’s unofficial grandma/secret-keeper — warm, a little mysterious, and probably knows the best shortcuts and the worst gossip. She runs things in an old-school way, serves you coffee with a neutral expression and then somehow offers a philosophy lesson that actually lands. She’s tender but sharp, forgets small things and remembers huge secrets, which makes you trust her a little too quickly. Also she definitely keeps postcards from weird places in a drawer and will never tell you why.