Penn Badgley Fought For Less Clothing In You Season 5 To Reveal Joe Goldberg’s True Nature

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Youstar Penn Badgley asked to be “in as little clothes as possible” in the show’s final season, and his reasoning for this was spot on. For five seasons, Badgley played the stalker and murderer to such perfection that it was sometimes difficult not to root for Joe Goldberg. However, this last batch of episodes really went all in to remind audiences that Badgley’s character is a predator. To ensure that Joe’s true colors came across perfectly on screen inYou season 5, Badgley broke one of his biggest rules.

As a supporter, I’d like to share that in an interview with People, I (Penn Badgley) explicitly requested a reduction in sex scenes for the fourth season of You. I wanted to steer clear of being stereotyped as the romantic lead and emphasized the significance of fidelity in my personal life. Fortunately, creator Sera Gamble was accommodating, leading to fewer such scenes in the show’s latest season. However, for the final episodes, I was willing to bend this rule. Interestingly, I also advocated for Joe Goldberg to be as unclothed as possible, and I’m delighted that my efforts paid off.

Penn Badgley Broke His “No Sex Scenes” Rule For You Season 5

The You Star Knew It Was Important This Time Around

The sex scene at the end of ‘You’ season 5 was more than just a physical act; it represented the emotional climax of Joe and Bronte’s relationship. It was essential to the storytelling, serving as a stark contrast to the cold, calculated violence that unfolded moments later. The aftermath of that scene set the stage for an intense and unforgettable final showdown between Joe and Bronte.

Among all sequences within this series, none surpasses this one in significance. The climax we anticipate for Joe will undoubtedly occur somewhere, but it’s not going to be in the cage. Contrary to expectation, that is not where he carries out his most harmful acts. Instead, it happens in the bedroom. It is here that he remains the least transparent, as a predator, manipulator, abuser, and an utterly deceitful individual.

In a different wording, the quote implies that Badgley isn’t keen on empty sex scenes, instead highlighting how crucial it was for Joe’s downfall to occur during an intimate moment. To put it another way, the character of Joe in You is portrayed as a manipulative predator who uses romance to trap his victims. The disturbing act required reflection before the final confrontation could take place. In the last episode, we saw a raw and true depiction of Joe’s predatory nature that wasn’t often shown before. The intimate scenes with Bronte were tense and clearly demonstrated Joe’s dangerous side – something not always revealed in previous episodes.

Why Penn Badgley Fought For Joe Goldberg To Be In Less Clothing In The Final Season

We Needed To See This Side Of Joe’s Violence

In the concluding scenes of “You”, it was decided that Joe should wear a white tank top to make dirt, grime, and blood stand out more. Interestingly, even though Badgley usually opposes on-screen intimacy and nudity, he insisted that Joe’s character should be as bare as possible. As he put it, “He should appear ready to harm [Bronte].” Eventually, Badgley managed to convince the producers, and during the sex scene in the final episode, Joe was seen only in a pair of black boxers, which remained his attire for the rest of their confrontation in “You”.

You Season 5 Benefited From Listening To The Joe Goldberg Star

We Saw The Real Joe Goldberg

In the finale of “You,” Badgley’s decision to appear (or not appear) in attire was a clever move that achieved its intended effect. By stripping down, he revealed Joe’s true nature more profoundly – a violent and dangerous predator rather than the sensitive intellectual facade he often presented. This stark portrayal was crucial for “You”‘s final episode as it helped dispel the undeserved sympathy that audiences had previously shown towards this character.

In the series You, the character of Joe Goldberg is intentionally crafted to intrigue viewers, making them subconsciously root for him despite his frequent displays of darker aspects. This dynamic was mirrored in You‘s season 5 with the character of Bronte. Although she recognized Joe’s villainy, she found herself drawn to him nonetheless. However, this sympathy vanished during the climactic episode confrontation. As Badgley’s character ran naked toward Bronte, he became a chilling, unambiguous predator. His later tears and pleas for death, while exposing his vulnerability, were also revolting. This complex portrayal would not have been achievable without Penn Badgley’s acting prowess.

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2025-05-19 01:28