Netflix’s Outer Banks has left some long-running mysteries about the Pogues’ families unsolved, with one big unanswered question about JJ finally getting an unexpected explanation in season 4. Through their various adventures at home and abroad, Outer Banks’ main characters have discovered some shocking truths and long-hidden secrets about their parents and ancestors. After John B discovered his father was actually alive (before later dying) and Pope found out he’s a descendant of Denmark Tanny, JJ’s entire understanding of his mother and father has now been destroyed.

When JJ was introduced in Outer Banks’ pilot, it was established that he had a troubled home life, which often led him to stay at John B’s house. JJ’s mother had abandoned him, while his father, Luke Maybank, was both physically and emotionally abusive and had a history of engaging in criminal activity. The absence of JJ’s mother led to plenty of speculation about who she was and what actually led her to leave. Outer Banks season 4, part 1’s ending finally addresses her more directly, but, in doing so, uncovers some incredible hidden secrets about Rudy Pankow’s character.

Outer Banks Finally Reveals Who JJ’s Mother Is (But She Isn’t The One Who Abandoned Him)

JJ’s Birth Mother Is Larissa Genrette

As it turns out, JJ’s parents aren’t actually who he thought they were. Outer Banks season 4 reveals that JJ’s real mother is Larissa Genrette and his real father is Chandler Groff. With Wes Genrette hiring the Pogues to track down Blackbeard’s amulet, season 4 placed an important emphasis on the tragic death of his daughter Larissa Genrette, who supposedly died by drowning with her infant son. To JJ’s shock, Luke eventually reveals that he isn’t actually his birth father, but had taken in JJ and raised him as his son to “help out” after Larissa’s death.

In reality, the still-mysterious woman was simply Luke’s girlfriend at the time that he took in JJ

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Luke thus elaborates that the woman who JJ thought was his mother wasn’t actually the woman who gave birth to him. In reality, the still-mysterious woman was simply Luke’s girlfriend at the time that he took in JJ. It’s still unclear what exactly led JJ’s adoptive mother to leave their family, but the long-missing Luke Maybank does note that his birth mother, Larissa, was “a good person” and that JJ should be proud to have her as his mother.

Outer Banks Season 4’s JJ Twist Replaces His Old Tragic Mother Story With An Even Worse One

JJ Went From A Mother Who Abandoned Him To A Mother Who Tragically Died

JJ’s real identity twist came as a major surprise in Outer Banks season 4, and adds another layer to the character’s tragic family story. Originally, JJ’s tragedy with his mother was that she abandoned him, and Luke always blamed his son for her absence. Now, JJ knows that it wasn’t his birth mother who abandoned him, but some woman who never originally signed on to raise him.

Though JJ wasn’t abandoned by his birth mother, the truth about her identity creates a much worse tragedy. JJ’s real mother loved him greatly but died when he was just an infant, and season 4’s twists suggest her drowning on the Albatross could have actually been murder. JJ seems to have a far more twisted backstory than Outer Banks previously let on, with implications that his mother was taken from him, his grandfather Wes Genrette was potentially compelled to deny his identity, and his real father is the most suspicious character of season 4.