Joe Goldberg’s saga is nearing its conclusion. Following the release of You season 4, Netflix confirmed in March 2023 that the popular psychological thriller has been renewed for a fifth and final season.
“You became an instant sensation on Netflix with a resounding cultural impact that has grown season over season,” said Peter Friedlander, Netflix’s vice president of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada, in a statement.
“We’re excited — and a bit terrified — to see how it all ends for Joe Goldberg, but one thing is for sure: You are in for an unforgettable ending.”
In season 4, viewers witnessed a different side of Joe (Penn Badgley) as he tried to distance himself from his murderous tendencies while living abroad under the alias Professor Jonathan Moore. However, he quickly realized he couldn’t fully escape his dark past.
From the returning cast to the anticipated storyline, here’s everything to know about You season 5.
Who is in the cast of You season 5?
It wouldn’t be You without Penn Badgley. The Gossip Girl alum is confirmed to reprise his role as Joe Goldberg in the final season. Charlotte Ritchie will also return as Kate, Joe’s partner.
Joining the cast is Madeline Brewer, who will portray Bronte, an “enigmatic and free-spirited playwright” working at Joe Goldberg’s new bookstore, according to Deadline.
Anna Camp is set to play Reagan and Maddie Lockwood, Joe’s twin sisters-in-law, while Griffin Matthews will appear as Teddy Lockwood, Joe’s brother-in-law
Will any former cast members return?
As the series approaches its finale, speculation has arisen about whether some of Joe’s past acquaintances—or even victims—might make a reappearance. One notable possibility is Jenna Ortega, who portrayed Ellie in season 2.
In February 2023, showrunner Sera Gamble revealed that the team had tried to bring Ortega back, but her commitment to Netflix’s Wednesday interfered. “It’s been such a pleasure to see Jenna this year. We have ideas for Ellie if her schedule allows her to visit us again,” Gamble teased.
Gamble also hinted that anyone who wasn’t explicitly shown dying on-screen could make a comeback—and even those presumed dead might not be entirely off the table.
“Any character who’s not dead and knows something about Joe could return to seek justice,” she explained. “And even characters who are dead—[Joe] has a very active imagination.”
During Netflix’s Tudum event in 2023, Badgley teased that past cast members, including Travis Van Winkle, Shalita Grant, and John Stamos, might return.
Where will You season 5 take place?
The season 4 finale sees Joe return to New York City, the setting of the show’s first season. This full-circle move opens the door for Joe to confront his past actions and possibly face his former victims.
You Season 5 (Photo: Netflix)
What will You season 5 be about?
Netflix has not released an official synopsis for the final season, but Penn Badgley has shared his thoughts on what lies ahead.
“I feel like it’s building towards a greater resolution,” Badgley told. “That’s what I want for Joe … because now, the circumstances are actually different. He has a level of power and wealth that he’s never had.”
Badgley noted that while Joe experienced wealth through Love (Victoria Pedretti) in previous seasons, he despised it. Now, however, Joe seems to embrace his newfound power and influence, which is “a terrifying prospect.”
The final season promises “an evolution of the whole conceit” of the series.
Who are the showrunners for You season 5?
Season 5 will see a change in leadership, with executive producers Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo stepping in as showrunners. They replace Sera Gamble, who originally developed the series with Greg Berlanti.
“As I step back from day-to-day showrunning to focus on new projects, I’m immensely grateful to co-creator and all-around genius Greg Berlanti, Caroline Kepnes, my friends at Berlanti Productions and Alloy Entertainment, and our steadfast partners at Warner Bros and Netflix,” Gamble said in a statement.
“Making the show alongside our writers, producers, directors, cast, and crew has been an honor and ridiculously fun. I feel lucky to have worked with an artist as gifted and thoughtful as Penn Badgley. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited to watch the You team bring Joe Goldberg’s journey to its delightfully twisted conclusion.”
When did You season 5 start filming?
On March 25, 2024, You’s official X (formerly Twitter) account announced the start of production for the final season. The post included a photo of Penn Badgley in character as Joe, walking the streets of New York City. The caption read: “Back to where it all began. The 5th and final season of YOU is now in production.”
Filming wrapped in August 2024, as confirmed by Badgley in a TikTok video from his last day on set. “You see how I show up to work? Very demure, very mindful,” he joked, referencing a popular meme.
Is there a trailer for You season 5?
While a full trailer has yet to be released, Netflix shared the first teaser in January 2025. The clip shows Joe wandering through New York City before entering Mooney’s Bookstore—the location where it all began in season 1.
As Joe moves through the shop, scenes of his past victims—Beck (Elizabeth Lail), Love, Marienne (Tati Gabrielle), and Kate—flash on-screen. “A lot has happened these many years together: identities, cities, loves, complications,” Joe narrates.
The teaser ends with Joe descending into the basement, where the glass box he used to imprison his victims remains.
“All that led me here, to now, to where I was always meant to be. And the one constant, the one thing that has always been there for me, is you,” Joe continues. “You, who have been there the whole time, and will be there with me to the end. Goodbye, you.”
When will You season 5 premiere?
The final season of You is scheduled to debut on Netflix on April 24, 2025.
Why is You ending?
In an interview with British GQ, Badgley explained why the series should end after season 5, especially following the revelation in season 4 that Joe was the “Eat the Rich Killer” all along.
“I know what [showrunner] Greg [Berlanti] pitched me years back as the right way to end,” he shared. “If there’s another season, it’s going to be a grand finale.”
He added, “It has to go to this place where it’s like, ‘Is he going to become a hero as we’ve all wanted him to?’ It doesn’t make sense for Joe to become a hero. This is the only place the show could go and remain relevant, responsible, intelligent, sensitive, and true.”
Gamble echoed this sentiment, sharing that Joe’s partnership with the wealthy Kate provides new opportunities.
“We’ve spent four seasons constructing these characters who are violently wealthy but not all that smart or ruthless,” she explained. “Now, Joe has access to unlimited resources. He’s become what he envied and judged from afar. It gives us so many new possibilities.”
