Netflix’s final season of You surprised fans with a multitude of cameos from past characters.
You, which originally debuted on Lifetime in 2018, introduced Penn Badgley as a serial killer whose obsession for a girl grew to terrifying heights. Based on books by Caroline Kepnes, the series found larger success after it moved to Netflix in its sophomore season.
While fans are divided on how they want Joe Goldberg’s story to end, Badgley has never wavered, telling Salon in February 2023, “The show is never a clinical portrait of either a serial killer or a man with mental illness. So the fun that we’re able to have when we do all of this is that this is not meant to be real. And to me, that doesn’t take anything away from it. It’s meant to be an exploration, an exercise. There’s an element of fantasy and camp to it that lets us do a lot of things, and, again, I think we benefit from it.”
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He continued: “If you’ve done things that Joe has done, change would mean reconciling in yourself that you have murdered more people than you can count readily on one hand. If you’re really there, I think what would require your reconciliation, let alone that with any kind of judgment in society, is more than you’ve indicated at this point you’re capable of, because you’ve done those things.”
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Joe’s story ultimately ended with him going to prison for every crime he committed during the last five seasons. It wouldn’t be possible, however, without the return of some people from his past, which made for a star-studded season of the show.
Keep scrolling to see which You alums reprised their characters for the final season:
Elizabeth Lail
During season 1, Lail played Joe’s first obsession, Beck, whom he ultimately killed. The actress reprised her character in a past season as a manifestation, but this time around Lail was Beck in a flashback.
Bronte (Madeline Brewer) also envisioned Beck at the end after getting revenge for her former TA’s murder.
Amy-Leigh Hickman
Joe framed Nadia for murder in season 4 and Hickman returned to wrap up her story. With Kate’s (Charlotte Richie) help, Nadia was freed from prison and she was able to get Joe locked up.
Tilly Keeper
When Kate needed help, Lady Phoebe Borehall-Blaxworth was there to set the plan in motion that ultimately took Joe down.
Robin Lord Taylor
Season 2 introduced Taylor as a hacker whose identity Joe briefly assumed. Taylor briefly reprised his role as Will once Joe became a prime suspect in murder.
Saffron Burrows
Once the internet came for Joe, Love’s mom, Dottie, released a TikTok outlining her suspicions.
Zach Cherry
Joe’s former coworker from the bookstore, Ethan, shared his experience in a TikTok after Joe murdering a man went viral.
Kathryn Gallagher
During season 1, Joe killed Beck’s friend Peaches (Shay Mitchell) and Annika returned to remind everyone of that inescapable fact.
What to Remember About Joe’s Murderous Journey Before You’s Final Season
Shalita Grant
Joe’s romance with Love resurfaced when Sherry joined in on the online discussion.
Travis Van Winkle
Sherry’s husband, Cary, was in the same video where they recalled getting locked up in Joe’s infamous cage.
Luca Padovan
While Paco was trying to help by sharing his positive experience with Joe, he only made things worse by implicating Joe in another crime.
Tati Gabrielle
Season 4 ended with Marienne faking her death to escape Joe. She returned to stop Joe’s reign of terror once and for all.
Jenna Ortega
Ellie didn’t make an onscreen appearance but she ended up being Dominique (Natasha Behnam) and Phoenix’s (b) benefactor.
Us Weekly
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