The psychological thriller You
has come to its gripping conclusion with Season 5, now streaming on Netflix as of April 24. Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley, returns to New York City, where his dark journey began, for an explosive final showdown between his twisted past and fragile present with his wife, Kate (Charlotte Ritchie). However, with the comeback also comes a startling revelation from Penn Badgley about his views on the series’ longevity.
Joe Goldberg’s manipulative genius has fueled countless storylines, but with You
concluding its final season, Penn Badgley reveals why he never expected the series to make it to Season 5, adding a thrilling new layer to Goldberg’s journey.
Why Penn Badgley thought Joe Goldberg’s You story would end sooner
Penn Badgley, in a candid conversation with Susie Wall on TMS Global Entertainment on April 24
, spilled some behind-the-scenes tea on You’s
surprising longevity. From the start, he never imagined the series would stretch to five seasons—at best, he expected three or four. The show’s dark premise was always a tricky beast to keep alive without feeling stale. But Badgley had faith, saying, “I always knew the writers would maintain their integrity.”
Luckily, they did just that—bringing Joe Goldberg’s chaos to a deliciously twisted, and totally satisfying, end.
#YouNetflix fun fact!
🎬 Penn Badgley doesn’t watch YOU because he finds Joe Goldberg so unsettling. He’s said that fully stepping into Joe’s mind is disturbing enough during filming. pic.twitter.com/kT0xEERb9k
— Ally | YOU SEASON 5 NEWS🦋🧢 (@YouNetflixUpdte) March 29, 2025
Penn Badgley went on to praise the creative handoff behind the scenes, giving major credit to Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo, who took the reins from Sera Gamble for the final stretch. He acknowledged just how tough it was to walk the tightrope of Joe’s story without letting it slip into absurdity. According to him, the duo pulled off the impossible—crafting an ending that hit every note. As he reflected on the careful craftsmanship behind You’s
final chapter, Penn Badgley also found himself in the headlines again—this time revisiting his intense Gossip Girl
romance with Blake Lively
, all while the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni storm brewed in the background.
Read More: ‘You’s Penn Badgley Hints at a Collaboration With an Unlikely Asian Celebrity Ahead of Season 5
Penn Badgley opened up about his intense Gossip Girl
romance with Blake Lively, revealing how playing a character can blur personal boundaries. He shared how constant questions about their relationship made keeping his privacy a real challenge.
When reality meets fiction: Penn Badgley reflects on his relationship with Blake Lively
In a recent chat with Alex Cooper on Call Her Daddy
, Penn Badgley opened up about his past romance with Blake Lively, which began just as their on-screen characters, Dan and Serena, started dating. When asked if he could separate his job from reality, he admitted it was a “struggle”
. He laughed, recalling how, due to constant media attention, he was always questioned about his personal life. In a candid moment, Badgley quipped, “I’ve only really been on one date in my life.”
Blake Lively’s Ex Gossip Girl Boyfriend Penn Badgely Calls Dating Her A STRUGGLE?! Link Below pic.twitter.com/FNQjbznAc6
— Popcorned Planet 🍿🌎 (@PopcornedPlanet) April 23, 2025
Badgley further reflected on the toll of playing Dan Humphrey for so long, revealing how it felt like a constant struggle to prove himself, even when no one was explicitly asking for it. Being recognized as his character everywhere he went and then having to embody that role on set became mentally draining. Earlier, he also recalled how Blake Lively ended up breaking his mother’s heart
, Badgley has recently embraced unfiltered honesty, sharing his true thoughts on everything from his role to You
making it to Season 5.
What do you think about Penn Badgley’s revelation regarding You
making it to Season 5? Let us know in the comments below.