Outer Banks, aka our favorite summer TV obsession, aired season 2 AGES ago (at least that’s how it feels now). While our favorite Pogues worked together to find treasure and take down any kook who g0t in their way, we were all left on the edge of our seats as we waited for any news about a possible season 3. But thankfully, the powers that be at Netflix have indulged us all.

Here’s everything we’ve heard about Outer Banks season 3.

outer banks l to r madelyn cline as sarah cameron, rudy pankow as jj, jonathan daviss as pope, chase stokes as john b and madison bailey as kiara in episode 210 of outer banks cr jackson lee davisnetflix © 2021
JACKSON LEE DAVIS//Netflix

Are we heading back to the OBX for a third season??

Get ready for another wild summer down at the OBX, because Outer Banks just officially got renewed for season 3. Netflix confirmed the news with a sweet video featuring all of our favorite Pogues as they celebrated the big announcement.

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And guess what? The show is finally back in production.

Netflix posted this on Instagram today, which means new episodes are officially underway. Consider this your first look at season 3.

(As an aside, if this is Poguelandia, can I please go there on vacation? It looks lovely.)

What is season 3 of Outer Banks going to be about?

So a lot went down in the season 2 finale that makes things extra confusing, but we’re going to lay it all out anyway. After killing Ward the same way John B.’s dad died and failing to get back the gold cross, our favorite Pogues are now on a mysterious island all by themselves (aka Poguelandia). Knowing Rafe and Kie’s parents, the Pogues may not be stuck there forever, even if they don’t know how to get back home just yet. And because it’s Outer Banks, of course there was a finale twist: John B.’s dad is actually alive. We don’t know how or why he’s been away for so long, but it sure looks like he’ll finally come out of hiding.

And yes, this twist has always been part of the showrunners’ big plan: “It’s going to be instrumental and maybe the spine [of season 3] basically. It’s obviously a gigantic revelation that’s going to power a huge part of the third season,” showrunner Shannon Burke told Entertainment Weekly. “I’m super interested to see how people are going to react or if they’re even going to remember who he was! We’re really having our fingers crossed the moment works and that people are excited.”

Get ready, because this father-son reunion will definitely shake things up.

Netflix also gave us some more information about the season in a press release that shared what we can expect:

“After losing the gold and fleeing the Outer Banks, season 3 finds the Pogues washed ashore on a desert island that, for a brief moment, seems like an idyllic home. Officially deemed ‘Poguelandia,’ the island’s newest residents spend their days fishing, swimming, and reveling in the carefree lifestyle of their temporary dwelling. But things quickly go south for John B., Sarah, Kiara, Pope, JJ, and Cleo when they find themselves once again caught up in a race for the treasure, quite literally running for their lives. They’re broke and far from home, they can’t trust anyone, Ward and Rafe are hungry for revenge, and there’s a ruthless Caribbean Don who will stop at nothing to find the bounty. Was the treasure ever within their reach? Or was it all a trap to stop them once and for all? Either way, it’s the Pogues against the world—and the only way out is together.”

Who is coming back for season 3?

According to Netflix, “Returning as series regulars are Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Rudy Pankow, Austin North, Drew Starkey, and Charles Esten. In addition, Carlacia Grant has been upped to series regular and will also return for season 3.”

And no, you’re not the only one wondering how Ward, played by Charles Esten, will be back. At least we already know that anything can happen in Poguelandia. We’re just going to have to wait and see what this means for our faves as they deal with the aftermath of his death.

When would a theoretical season 3 premiere?

Well, it’s not so hypothetical anymore. At Netflix’s Tudum, the streamer gave us a glimpse at the new season and what the Pogues are up to in their newfound Poguelandia and revealed that it was going to be back in 2023. At least we got this shiny new teaser trailer to hold us over until then:

And now that the new year is here, it finally gave us an official release date: February 23. You can check out some first-look photos below if you’re itching to see some more.

Is there a trailer?!

Yes, we’re finally officially heading to Poguelandia, but like all things in Outer Banks, paradise can only last so long. There are some new treasures and surprises for all of our favorite Pogues and it looks like someone new is coming along to take them down. Check it out below: