Much like JJ this season, 27-year-old Pankow hasnt had much time to catch his breath.
What about this part, what did you think?
Part One of Season Four has been pivotal for Pankows character.
Rudy Pankow as JJ in ‘Outer Banks.‘Alec Luu*
The twist shocked even Pankow himself.
JJ is complex: a little hot-headed, a little irrational, a little bit of a gambler.
What drew you to the character?I love how he masks so much with humor.
Thats what I see in JJ the most is hes a very caring guy.
JJ suffers physical abuse at the hands of his father, Luke, who has gambling and drinking addictions.
How do you travel to those dark, traumatic places as an actor?Its a responsibility.
As an artist, you dont want to phone any of that in.
Thats also the moment where we learn Luke is not JJs biological father.
We were in a very tough location, with a sunset that we had to get.
All the crew had to get all the way on top of this lighthouse.
We shot most of it with a drone.
Both of us were just honed in on one another.
It was really technically just difficult.
Every character each season has this bridge, like, OK, are they going to go across it?
and JJ has a big one this year.
But then also the father and Groff showing up, and him losing his identity with Luke.
[Were] trying to figure out where he stands now.
Even though its so jarring, there is a huge opportunity for JJ to grow.
