Penn Badgley Breaks His No-Sex-Scene Rule in You’s Final Season: “I Had to Throw That Out the Window”

Penn Badgley has spent years playing one of TV’s most chilling yet weirdly charismatic characters—Joe Goldberg, the obsessive, murderous romantic who always seems to justify his crimes in the name of love. But behind the scenes, Badgley made headlines for a different reason: his refusal to film sex scenes in You’s fourth season. Fans noticed the sudden absence of steamy moments between Joe and his wife, Kate (Charlotte Ritchie), sparking debates about whether the show had lost its edge.

Now, as You’s fifth and final season drops on Netflix, Badgley is breaking his own rule—and he’s not apologizing for it.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 38-year-old actor admits that he had to reconsider his stance. “I had to throw that out the window,” he confesses. “It was a real question—what am I willing to do now? And the answer was, if it’s necessary for the story, then we do it.”

So, why the change of heart? And what does this mean for Joe’s twisted journey in the final season?

Why Sex Scenes Were Necessary for Joe’s Downfall

Badgley has never shied away from discussing his discomfort with Hollywood’s obsession with gratuitous intimacy. In past interviews, he’s called out the industry’s exploitative tendencies, making his no-sex-scene stance a personal boundary. But You’s final season demanded a return to form—Joe Goldberg isn’t just a killer; he’s a seducer.

“We had to remind people why Joe is so dangerous,” Badgley explains. “It’s not just the stalking or the murders—it’s how easily he manipulates people into believing he’s the perfect lover.”

This season, Joe’s marriage to Kate is crumbling, and he spirals into an affair with Bronte (Madeline Brewer), a sharp-witted bookstore employee with her own dark agenda. Their relationship is intense, volatile, and yes—steamy.

“Bronte isn’t just another victim,” Badgley teases. “She’s playing him just as much as he’s playing her. And that tension? It had to be physical.”

The scenes aren’t just for shock value. They serve as a crucial narrative device, exposing Joe’s hypocrisy. He preaches loyalty to Kate while cheating, mirroring the way he justifies murder as “love.”

Read: You Season 5 on Netflix Review: A Ridiculous, Overstayed Farewell

The Backlash That Almost Changed the Show

When Badgley first announced his no-sex-scene policy, reactions were mixed. Some praised him for setting professional boundaries, while others argued that You’s signature blend of romance and horror relied on those moments.

“I get why fans were frustrated,” Badgley admits. “Joe’s entire persona is built on this illusion of passion. Cutting that out in Season 4 made sense for his relationship with Kate—it was colder, more transactional. But for the endgame? We needed that raw, messy intimacy back.”

The decision wasn’t made lightly. Badgley worked closely with showrunner Sera Gamble and intimacy coordinators to ensure every scene was “deliberate, not exploitative.”

“If it doesn’t serve the story, we don’t do it,” he emphasizes. “But this time, it did.”

Saying Goodbye to Joe Goldberg—The Role That Defined a Decade

As You wraps up, Badgley reflects on the impact of playing TV’s most unsettling antihero.

“I was 30 when I started. Now I’m turning 39,” he says. “I became a father during this show. Got married. Joe’s been there through it all—which is weird, because he’s a monster.”

He laughs, but there’s weight to his words. “In a strange way, Joe taught me about masculinity—not by example, but by contrast. He’s the worst version of a man who thinks he’s the hero. Playing him forced me to confront my own flaws.”

So, will he miss Joe Goldberg?

“A little,” he admits. “Not the killing, obviously. But the complexity? The way he makes audiences question their own morals? That’s rare. And I’m proud of that.”

The Final Season: What Fans Can Expect

Without spoiling too much, Badgley hints that the last episodes pull no punches.

• Joe’s past catches up with him in ways even he can’t manipulate.

• Bronte’s revenge plot takes a shocking turn.

• The ending? “Unpredictable,” Badgley promises. “People will debate it for years.”

One thing’s for sure: Joe Goldberg’s story ends with the same intensity it began. And yes—that includes the sex scenes.

Why This Rule-Breaking Moment Matters

Badgley’s reversal isn’t just about fan service. It’s a reminder that storytelling evolves, and sometimes, boundaries need to bend—if the art demands it.

“I stand by my principles,” he says. “But I also respect the craft. This was the right choice for Joe’s ending.”

As You’s final chapter unfolds, one thing is clear: Penn Badgley didn’t just play Joe Goldberg. He redefined him. And in doing so, he proved that even the darkest characters can leave a lasting legacy.

All episodes of You Season 5 are now streaming on Netflix.