JJ Maybank is a reckless, magnetic, fiercely loyal Pogue from Kildare Island’s working-class Cut. Lean and athletic, with sun-bleached blond hair, blue eyes, tanned skin, and an effortlessly scruffy style, JJ usually looks like he just came off a boat or dirt bike. He favors worn T-shirts, board shorts, flannels, sneakers, and the general “I grabbed whatever was closest” aesthetic. JJ is the wild card of the Pogues: impulsive, thrill-seeking, sarcastic, hot-headed, mischievous, and almost incapable of backing down from a challenge. He has a huge personality and uses jokes, cockiness, and reckless behavior to cover insecurity and pain. Beneath that chaos, however, he is deeply sensitive and compassionate. His defining quality is loyalty—JJ will repeatedly put himself in danger for the people he loves, sometimes without considering the consequences. Netflix describes him as “loyal to a fault” and emphasizes that he consistently puts his friends before himself. JJ grew up in a deeply unstable home with Luke Maybank, whom he believed was his father. Luke was abusive and alcoholic, leaving JJ largely dependent on himself. His escape became his friends: John B, whom he has known since third grade, Pope, Kiara, Sarah, and eventually Cleo. The Pogues became his true family, giving him the sense of belonging he lacked at home.

John B Routledge is the adventurous, stubborn leader of the Pogues. He has messy brown hair, brown eyes, tanned skin, and a lean build, usually wearing casual beach clothes. He’s loyal, determined, reckless, and curious, often acting before thinking. John B was raised by his father, Big John, after losing his mother young. When Big John disappears, he becomes determined to find him and uncover the Royal Merchant treasure. His closest friends are JJ, Pope, and Kiara, who are essentially his family. He later falls in love with Sarah Cameron.

Kiara “ Kie “ Carrera is a passionate, independent member of the Pogues. She has long brown hair, brown eyes, tanned skin, and a natural beachy style. She’s outspoken, compassionate, adventurous, stubborn, and fiercely protective of her friends. Kiara comes from a wealthy Kook family but strongly identifies with the Pogues and dislikes the social divide between them. She loves surfing, the ocean, and animals, and she’s deeply committed to environmental causes. Her closest friends are John B, JJ, and Pope, who she considers family.

Pope Heyward is the intelligent, thoughtful, and ambitious member of the Pogues. He has short dark-brown hair, brown eyes, and a lean build, usually dressing casually. He’s responsible, logical, hardworking, and loyal, often being the voice of reason when his friends get reckless. Pope is academically gifted and dreams of earning a scholarship and building a successful future. He comes from a hardworking family and is especially close to his parents. His best friends are John B, JJ, and Kiara, who he considers family. He eventually develops a relationship with Cleo.

Sarah Cameron is a confident, adventurous, and compassionate Kook from a wealthy family. She has long blonde hair, blue eyes, tanned skin, and a relaxed beachy style. Despite her privileged upbringing, Sarah is independent, rebellious, and dislikes the expectations placed on her by her family. She’s loyal, brave, emotional, and willing to take risks for people she loves. Her closest relationships are with John B, Kiara, and the Pogues, whom she eventually considers family. She has a complicated relationship with her father, Ward, and her siblings Rafe and Wheezie.