That Outer Banks season 3 ending left us with many questions, one of which is: who is Alexander Jennings?
The third season, which premiered on Netflix on Thursday, February 23, saw the return of our beloved Pogues, played by Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Rudy Pankow and Jonathan Daviss. But only one member of the OBX universe received a special tribute at the end of an Outer Banks season 3 episode.
So who is Alexander Jennings and how is he connected to the series? Here's what we know.
Who is Alexander Jennings from 'Outer Banks'?
At the end of the ninth episode of Outer Banks' third season, a dedication card read, "In loving memory of Alexander Jennings," a stunt performer who served as a body double and stand-in actor for star Chase Stokes, who plays Pogues leader John B in the series.
Tragically, Alexander "AJ" Jennings passed away on July 15, 2022, at only 22 years old due to injuries sustained from a double hit-and-run accident near Charleston, South Carolina, which is where the Netflix show is filmed.
News of Jennings' death was confirmed by Kimmie Stewart Casting, who represented the performer and posted on their Instagram page: "AJ was a beautiful, kind soul & a bright light every day on set. He moved to Charleston from New York to work as our John B photo double/stand in this season. I can not fathom the shock and tragedy of AJ's sudden loss and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
"I am still at a loss of words how this happened & cannot imagine the heartache his family is going through. We will miss this amazing human & his infectious smile dearly," the statement continued.
Actor Chase Stokes also posted a moving tribute to Jennings on his own social media handles, writing in an Instagram Story: "Still trying to process why certain things happen, and why the world works in the ways that it does. My heart is shattered. Your life was just starting. We JUST talked about how pumped you were about your tunes, how far you’d come with that ole 6 string, and your want to keep creating art. Always always making others hearts warm and being so damn selfless."
"I wish I had more words to say right now, but the past day has been a struggle to say the least," the actor added. "We all love you, you touched all of our lives and made us all better people, and for that—thank you, AJ. Fly high, angel.”
Per People, AJ's mother LuJean Jennings asked for donations to be made to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in honor of the memory of her son.
Outer Banks joins other Netflix shows that have honored departed cast and crew with special episode dedications over the years, including Mark Blum on You, Ed Asner on Dead to Me, and Marc Pilcher, Brian Nickels and Carole Prentice from Bridgerton.
All three seasons of Outer Banks are currently available to stream on Netflix
