Actor Penn Badgley reflects on ending You after five seasons, discussing the physical toll and character growth.”
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Why did Penn Badgley feel it was time to move on from You?
At 38, after pouring his heart and soul into playing the twisted Joe Goldberg on Netflix’s gripping series, Penn Badgley is more than ready to say farewell.
He spilled it all on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, admitting, “I was very ready for it to end” after five wild seasons.
It’s been a marathon that’s shaped him in ways he never expected.
How has this role defined his entire 30s?
He jumped into the role at 30, and now, as he nears 40, it’s taken over nearly eight years of his life.
“That’s my 30s right there,” he quipped, knowing he’ll still be chatting about it for ages.
It’s not just acting; it’s been a massive, life-altering ride that he calls “a definitive event.”
What’s his verdict on the show’s ending?
Did he like how it all wrapped up? “Yeah,” he said simply, calling it a deep dive into “a deconstruction of Joe.”
The final season traps Joe behind bars for his endless string of misdeeds, climaxing in a brutal showdown with Bronte, played by Madeline Brewer.
Only the cops crashing the scene bring it to a halt—and what a chaotic mess it is.
What physical price did he pay for the role?
The intensity hit hard, especially in that last big fight scene. “I’m always expressing rage, and it pounds through your neck,” he explained, his voice thick with exhaustion.
Those neck muscles? They totally collapsed after seasons of strain, leaving him unable to tweak his performance or even speak normally.
“My body was saying no to this man,” he wrapped up, with Jimmy Fallon chiming in that it felt like a full-body rebellion.
Will he actually miss playing Joe?
Sure, he’ll feel a twinge of nostalgia. “I think I will miss him a little bit,” Penn confessed in a past chat with PEOPLE, labeling the character a “profound experience.”
It’s taught him plenty about manhood—by showing what it isn’t, far beyond the obvious no-brainer of avoiding murder.
That’s the subtle, eye-opening stuff that sticks.
Where can fans dive into the final season?
It’s all live on Netflix right now, waiting for you to binge.
In the end, Penn’s time with Joe is a testament to how a role can transform an actor—and leave them a bit battered but wiser.