The hit Netflix thriller readies its final bow with Penn Badgley’s return to where it all began
The burning question on everyone’s mind as Netflix’s You approaches its conclusion: Will Joe Goldberg, masterfully portrayed by Penn Badgley, finally face justice for his crimes, or slip away once again? The fifth and final season promises to bring the story full circle, with Joe returning to his original hunting grounds in New York City.
Netflix recently gave audiences their first taste of the final chapter through a haunting teaser. In it, Joe’s familiar voiceover echoes: “Here we are, together again, back to where it began. A lot has happened these many years together—identities, cities, loves, complications—but all that led me here, to now, to where I was always meant to be.“
Who is in You season five?
Penn Badgley will once again embody Joe alongside Charlotte Ritchie, who returns as Kate, his wealthy British partner whose family connections have given him unprecedented access to power and privilege.
The season introduces several new faces to Joe’s world. Griffin Matthews steps in as Teddy Lockwood, described as Joe’s “snarky yet loyal” brother-in-law. Anna Camp takes on the challenging dual role of Kate’s identical twins: Reagan Lockwood, the ambitious CFO of Lockwood Corp, and Maddie Lockwood, a thrice-divorced socialite whose PR career masks her manipulative nature. Fans of You season 4 will recognize how these new characters shift the dynamics of Joe’s complicated life.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Madeline Brewer joins the cast as Bronte, a free-spirited playwright whose presence at Joe’s new bookstore stirs memories of his past self. The ensemble expands further with Nava Mau as Detective Marquez, Pete Ploszek as Harrison Lockwood, Natasha Behnam as Dominique, Tom Francis as Clayton, and additional new characters promising to complicate Joe’s carefully constructed world.
The teaser also hints at possible returns from Joe’s past, featuring glimpses of Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail), Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), Marienne Bellamy (Tati Gabrielle), and other familiar faces who might return to haunt him – whether in reality or hallucination.
What will “You” season five be about?
Following the shocking conclusion of season four in London, Joe finds himself back in New York, now armed with unlimited resources thanks to Kate’s connections. He’s successfully rewritten his narrative, painting his marriage to Love Quinn as one where he was the victim rather than the aggressor. This manipulation has even granted him access to their son, Henry.
The final season positions Joe in unfamiliar territory – no longer watching from the shadows but operating in plain sight with considerable influence. As former showrunner Sera Gamble explained, they always intended to bring Joe back to New York as “Joe Classic,” but with near-unlimited resources and powerful allies.
Penn Badgley has made it clear that viewers shouldn’t expect a redemption arc for Joe. The series appears committed to exploring the darker aspects of his character rather than seeking moral resolution.
When does “You” season five come out?
Breaking from the split-release format of season four, all ten episodes of You’s final season will premiere simultaneously on Thursday, April 24. This consolidated release ensures viewers can experience Joe’s final chapter at their own pace, bringing the twisted journey of one of television’s most complex antiheroes to its ultimate conclusion.
Related: ‘You’: Filming For The Season 4 Of The Series Has Been Started