Jonathan Daviss Has Resigned from Meeting Expectations

      Jonathan Daviss understands the weight of expectations. Throughout his formative years, particularly during the five seasons of Outer Banks (with the fifth season set to premiere later this year), audiences have watched him embody Pope Heyward, the intelligent, principled, and cautious friend balancing loyalty, ambition, and a fear of letting others down. For Daviss, portraying Pope wasn’t merely about acting; it also involved grappling with many of the same questions faced by teenagers: who they wish to become, what constitutes success, how to be ambitious, and whether to prioritize education or adventure. In many respects, Pope's development reflected Daviss's own, though only one side unfolded in front of millions of viewers.

      Daviss felt an immediate connection to Pope. When filming for the first season began, they were nearly the same age—around 18—making Pope's actions, feelings, and worries feel authentic. As Pope dealt with the pressures of academics, responsibilities, and success, Daviss found himself facing similar stresses off-screen. "What really struck me about Pope in season 1 was this notion of expectations and the pressure many young Black teens, and teens in general, experience," Daviss shared with me over Zoom from his home in L.A. "There’s this push to succeed, and it’s something I’ve genuinely experienced."

      Amidst heavier themes, Daviss was drawn to the camaraderie among the characters in Outer Banks, the sense of freedom, and the journey of young individuals finding their identities. "It captured the essence of youth and being part of a tight-knit group. It was about experiencing fights, victories, losses, and unforgettable moments and how, through it all, those friends become family," he said. Each season brought a new adventure and treasure to seek. Who wouldn’t want to be a teenager, temporarily leaving schoolwork behind to explore with their best friends in the sunny, enigmatic Outer Banks of North Carolina?

      Similar to Pope, who dealt with the pressure of not squandering his intelligence and letting himself and others down, Daviss faced the same struggle between escapism, responsibility, and ambition while growing up in Conroe, Texas. "I craved freedom to hang out with my friends without the pressure of 'You need to do this' or 'You have to maintain As in school' or 'You need to ensure you go to college,'" he reflected. Although his parents didn’t impose strict expectations, he still felt a personal drive to excel, particularly in his advanced placement classes.

      As the series progressed, the bond between Daviss and his character deepened further. The emotional connection grew more profound as audiences developed a parasocial relationship with Pope over the years. For many viewers, the distinction between Daviss and Pope began to blur, a fact he initially found challenging. "As actors, we often fear being typecast because we want to display our versatility," he noted. "So when I was younger, I thought, 'I can't be seen as Pope' because I wanted to explore different roles. However, I've come to embrace him, realizing that his character resonates with many people—and with me. [Pope] is a significant part of who I am."

      What resonated most with Daviss and fans of OBX throughout Pope's journey wasn’t merely the pressure he faced; it was his journey to self-trust. Instead of constantly seeking outside approval before making decisions and second-guessing himself, Pope evolved to become more decisive, even during uncertainty. This growth was particularly visible in season 2 when he chose to abandon a prestigious interview to assist his friends, the Pogues, in their treasure hunt, ultimately sacrificing the scholarship linked to his identity. "[Pope] experiences a lot of loss," Daviss shared. "Understanding that it’s acceptable to make mistakes, learn from them, and strive to improve became a vital theme." Much of Pope's story and the essence of Outer Banks revolved around resilience and the idea of the underdog persistently battling adversity, Daviss elaborated.

      Resilience is something Daviss had to cultivate well before Outer Banks debuted in 2020 and catapulted its young cast to fame. Like many aspiring actors in Hollywood, he faced numerous near-misses and nearly achieved opportunities. There were times he felt emotionally drained by the constant need to validate himself as an actor. "I remember feeling burnt out," he recalled about his early auditioning experiences. "I was extremely broke. I had no money to my name."

      Growing up in Conroe, Daviss lacked industry connections or access to acting classes. However, he possessed ambition and discipline, enabling him to create his own opportunities. "In my small town, there wasn’t much to do, so I spent a lot of time watching movies with my dad," he said. "That fostered my love for film. Since there were no acting classes available to start my journey, I read poetry and crafted seven-minute monologues that I performed