Production on the fifth and final season of Netflix’s Outer Banks has been overshadowed by disturbing reports of an altercation involving one of the show’s creators.
According to TMZ, Jonas Pate—co-creator and executive producer of the global hit—allegedly grabbed a female production assistant by the shoulders and shook her while yelling at her during filming in Dubrovnik, Croatia, earlier this week.
Eyewitnesses told the outlet that the incident quickly drew the attention of several main cast members, including Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes, who reportedly stepped in to calm the situation and separate the two.
A source later told People:
“He was screaming at the female production assistant and grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her. He didn’t hurt her or try to hurt her. He just crossed a line. Putting your hands on someone is never, ever okay.”
At the time of publication, representatives for Pate, Netflix, Cline, and Stokes had not responded to requests for comment from Entertainment Weekly.
Production Continues Despite Allegations
While the incident has sparked internal discussions among crew members, multiple reports confirm that filming was not suspended or delayed.
A follow-up report from TMZ stated that production continued “without disruption” and that Pate remained involved in his usual capacity as executive producer.
Netflix has not issued a public statement, but insiders suggest that the streamer is “assessing the situation internally.”
“In most international co-productions, Netflix relies on the local production partner to handle HR and set-safety procedures,” said entertainment attorney Claire Donovan, who specializes in European film compliance. “If the event happened during principal photography abroad, it can complicate jurisdiction and any subsequent HR response.”
The streamer’s own code of conduct requires that “all personnel treat others with dignity and respect, and refrain from any behavior that could be perceived as harassment or intimidation.”
Where Season 5 Is Being Filmed?
Outer Banks Season 5 began filming in June 2025, with much of the shoot taking place in Dubrovnik, Croatia, standing in for the show’s fictional Caribbean-style locales.
The production also continues to use North Carolina as a backdrop for select scenes, though logistical factors and weather pushed much of the current schedule to Europe.
Pate, alongside his twin brother Josh Pate and co-creator Shannon Burke, told Netflix’s Tudum blog at the time:
“We are over the moon to be setting out on one last trip with the Pogues. Being back on set with our cast for this final round is nothing short of bittersweet and surreal. We can’t wait to show everyone what we have in store this season—it’s going to be a wild ride.”
That ride now comes with unwanted headlines just months before Netflix’s anticipated 2026 premiere of the finale season.
Who’s Returning for the Final Season?
Despite the off-camera turbulence, the Season 5 cast remains intact. Returning stars include:
| Actor | Character | Status in Season 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Stokes | John B Routledge | Returning Lead |
| Madelyn Cline | Sarah Cameron | Returning Lead |
| Madison Bailey | Kiara Carrera | Series Regular |
| Jonathan Daviss | Pope Heyward | Series Regular |
| Rudy Pankow | JJ Maybank | Series Regular |
| Carlacia Grant | Cleo | Series Regular |
| Austin North | Topper Thornton | Recurring |
| Fiona Palomo | Sofia Herrera | Recurring |
| Tony Crane & Cullen Moss | Ward Cameron / Shoupe | Promoted to Series Regulars |
Production insiders also confirmed that new supporting characters will be introduced in the season’s mid-arc, although details remain under wraps.
A Beloved Show Nears Its End
Since debuting in April 2020, Outer Banks has been one of Netflix’s most popular young-adult franchises, blending teen drama, treasure-hunt adventure, and sun-drenched escapism.
At its height in 2023, Season 3 reportedly reached over 160 million viewing hours in its first two weeks.
“Outer Banks filled the adventure void for Gen Z in a way few shows have,” says pop-culture analyst Dr. Michael Ferreira. “Its Pogue-versus-Kook mythology, romantic tension, and cinematic settings created a fan-fueled universe that’s ideal for Netflix’s binge model.”
The fifth season was announced as the final chapter, with the creators promising to deliver the story’s long-planned ending. Josh Pate told Tudum last year, “We’ve always known what the last scene would be.”
That certainty, however, is now clouded by the current controversy—though most analysts expect Netflix to stay the course unless legal action or union complaints emerge.
The Broader Issue: On-Set Conduct and Accountability
The alleged incident raises recurring questions about professional boundaries and accountability in high-pressure TV environments.
According to workplace-safety consultant Dr. Laila Richards, production hierarchies can sometimes blur behavioral lines:
“In film and television, where time is money, stress runs high. But physical contact or aggression, even if non-injurious, crosses a zero-tolerance threshold. Studios now risk reputational damage if they appear lenient.”
The rise of intimacy coordinators and mandatory harassment training in Hollywood has improved awareness, but international shoots—where local crews and laws differ—can still create enforcement gaps.
Netflix has previously implemented stricter guidelines following prior workplace incidents on other sets, emphasising respect, inclusion, and third-party reporting mechanisms.
Fan Reactions and Industry Response
Social media reaction was swift, with many fans expressing concern for the crew member involved.
Hashtags such as #ProtectTheCrew and #OuterBanks trended briefly on X (formerly Twitter) following the TMZ report, with several users urging Netflix to investigate and “lead by example.”
Entertainment journalist Renee Hart told Screen Talk Daily:
“The optics here matter. Outer Banks has always sold itself on community, friendship, and loyalty. When that brand clashes with allegations of aggression from a senior figure, fans take notice.”
Cast members have not commented publicly, though both Stokes and Cline were praised online for reportedly stepping in to diffuse the conflict.
The Series’ Legacy and Final Chapter
Despite the controversy, fans remain eager for Season 5, which promises to tie up long-running mysteries surrounding the Pogues’ treasure-hunting saga and their evolving relationships.
| Season | Premiere Year | Major Arc |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2020 | The treasure of the Royal Merchant |
| 2 | 2021 | The cross of Santo Domingo |
| 3 | 2023 | The city of El Dorado |
| 4 | 2024 | New alliances and betrayals |
| 5 | 2026 (Upcoming) | The Pogues’ final adventure |
Even with the off-set turbulence, analysts predict the show’s finale will attract strong viewership. “It’s the end of an era for Netflix’s teen adventure brand,” says Ferreira. “Audiences will show up regardless, but how Netflix handles this controversy could set an example for future productions.”
What Happens Next?
As of late October 2025, Outer Banks filming remains on schedule, with expected completion by early 2026.
Post-production and global marketing campaigns are likely to ramp up in spring ahead of the anticipated summer or fall 2026 release.
Neither the Dubrovnik production office nor Netflix has confirmed any internal disciplinary measures, though unions and entertainment-law specialists expect that standard workplace investigations are underway.
“Even if no charges are filed, studios are expected to implement corrective actions or mediation,” explains attorney Donovan. “The industry standard today is accountability paired with discretion.”
FAQs
Reports claim EP Jonas Pate grabbed and shook a female production assistant during a heated exchange. No injuries were reported, but the behavior was deemed inappropriate.
No. Filming continued in Croatia, and Pate reportedly remains involved in production.
Not yet. Sources indicate internal review processes are underway.
The final season is expected to debut on Netflix in 2026, though no exact date has been announced.
Season 5 concludes the Pogues’ story, but spinoff discussions have circulated informally within Netflix’s teen-adventure division.
