Penn Badgley, known for his portrayal of Joe Goldberg in the hit Netflix series You, recently opened up about a potential alternate ending for the show that could have drastically changed the fate of his character.
In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Badgley discussed the evolution of Joe Goldberg’s journey, revealing that despite his character’s many crimes, the writers ultimately chose not to kill him off in the series. He explained, “I think we found the one just ending.” This statement hinted that the ending the writers selected for Joe was the right one for the character’s arc.
However, Badgley also revealed that there were other ideas on the table, particularly one from You co-creator Greg Berlanti. Berlanti’s original concept for Joe was for him to get everything he ever desired but end up deeply unhappy. Badgley noted, “It was to let [Joe] get away with it – to let him have everything he thought he wanted and just be absolutely miserable.” According to Badgley, this ending didn’t take into account the female character who was central to Joe’s obsession.
In addition to Berlanti’s vision, You’s showrunners, Michael Foley and Justin Lo, proposed another eerie alternate ending where Joe was revealed to be a ghost after being shot by Bronte, played by Madeline Brewer.
The show’s final season, released on April 24, 2025, marks the end of Joe Goldberg’s twisted journey. Badgley’s reflections on the alternate endings provide insight into the creative decisions behind the scenes that ultimately led to the series’ conclusion.
As You fans eagerly awaited the final season, these behind-the-scenes revelations add a layer of depth to the show’s narrative and the journey of its iconic protagonist, Joe Goldberg.
