As fans prepare to say goodbye to Outer Banks with its upcoming fifth and final season, creator Jonas Pate has revealed exciting plans for the franchise’s future: a prequel series.

“We’re looking to film it in Wilmington, [North Carolina],” Pate shared with Port City Daily on Tuesday, December 10. The prequel, tentatively titled Kildare, will delve into the origins of the class divide and tensions between the Kooks and Pogues that define the fictional Figure 8 town at the heart of the show.

Unlike the current series, which follows the modern-day adventures of John B (Chase Stokes), Sarah (Madelyn Cline), and their friends, the prequel will feature a fresh cast of younger actors and explore the early days of Kildare County’s social hierarchy. “The plan is to dive into how these dynamics began,” Pate explained.

The original Outer Banks premiered on Netflix in 2020, captivating audiences with its mix of treasure hunting, drama, and camaraderie. Set against the backdrop of coastal North Carolina, the show showcases the stark divide between the wealthy Kooks and the working-class Pogues. As the two groups clash over lost riches, friendships and found family take center stage.

Pate also noted that the potential prequel series would complement his other project, The Runarounds, set to air on Prime Video and inspired by a band that made a cameo appearance on Outer Banks.

The news of a prequel comes shortly after Netflix announced that Outer Banks would conclude its story with season 5. The final season will continue to follow John B, Sarah, Kiara (Madison Bailey), Pope (Jonathan Daviss), JJ (Rudy Pankow), and Cleo (Carlacia Grant) as their adventures wrap up.

Season 4’s shocking finale, which included the unexpected death of fan-favorite JJ, left viewers divided. While some criticized the decision to kill off a main character, Pate defended the move, saying it had always been part of the plan.

With the promise of Kildare, fans can look forward to diving deeper into the world of Outer Banks, even as the original series comes to a close.