Penn Badgley revisits New York roots for final season of You, premiering on Netflix on 24th April

Penn Badgley returns to his roots in New York City for the fifth and final season of the popular thriller series You, set to premiere on Netflix on 24^th April 2025. The series, which has followed the dark and twisted life of Joe Goldberg, a character portrayed by Badgley, will come full circle as it concludes in the city where it began. This season finds Joe living a seemingly idyllic life with his wife, Kate Lockwood, played by Charlotte Ritchie, and their son, while grappling with his violent past.

The return to New York is not just a plot point but also a homecoming for Badgley, who resides in the city. Filming took place at Silvercup Studios in Queens, a location steeped in personal history for the actor. “Returning to the Mooney set on these stages was particularly poignant because this is where we shot Gossip Girl,” Badgley shared with Tudum. “And I hadn’t really been back here except for one day of camera testing a long time ago.”

In You, Joe Goldberg has evolved from a bookstore manager with a lethal obsession to a character trying to navigate life as part of New York’s elite. This season introduces new challenges as Joe strives to maintain his reformed image, despite the temptations of his darker impulses. “Joe doesn’t feel great about anything, really. He’s trying to stomach being one of the 0.01%, a billionaire, which is exceptional,” Badgley explains. “He’s fooling himself, but he’s doing a pretty good job, as he always does. He believes he’s changed so that it can be enough for him.”

The new season also explores the dynamics of Joe’s extended family through his marriage to Kate. Viewers will meet her twin sisters, Reagan and Maddie, both portrayed by Anna Camp, and her loyal half-brother Teddy, played by Griffin Matthews. The family’s complex relationships and power struggles over their business empire add another layer of intrigue to the storyline.

Executive producer Michael Foley, who serves as co-showrunner alongside Justin W Lo, highlighted the complexities of Joe’s current life, saying, “If you ask Joe, he’s incredibly happy with the life he has being Prince Charming in his marriage to Kate. Most importantly, we’re really keying in on the life that he’s providing for Henry.”

As the season progresses, Joe’s struggle with his identity and past actions becomes a central theme. “It’s a lot about identity, our hard coding, who we are, what’s changeable, and what’s immutable about ourselves,” Foley added. The tension escalates as Joe’s newfound fame and the scrutiny that comes with it threaten to unravel the life he has built.

As You approaches its final episodes, Badgley reflects on his experience with the character and the series. “It’s bittersweet, as anything is. It’s probably a lot sweeter than it is bitter,” he remarked. “You’re in this same space and doing this same work for just about seven years and you love it, but you’re happy to move on. It’s time for him to lay down, to stop, to put that knife down.”

With its blend of psychological intrigue and dramatic storytelling, the last season of You aims to keep viewers engaged as it explores whether Joe Goldberg can truly escape his past or if his darker nature will once again take hold.

The editorial unit

You season five is released on Netflix on 24^th April 2025.

Watch the trailer for You season five here: