Joe Goldberg's journey in search for true love (and not going to prison, I guess) is coming to an end in You Season 5. Let's dive into Netflix's Goodbye to the hopeless romantic! We've got all the info for you, including the release window, the upcoming plot, the returning cast and any other news you need to know.
Joe Goldberg – the romantic psychopath. Or maybe psychopathic romantic? Who can be sure, really? Just one thing is for certain: Season 5 of You will be the last we see of him as it will conclude his journey. Are you ready for the last rendezvous?
Joe is a classic protagonist where it feels wrong to root for him, even though I, myself, have caught myself more than once hoping he'll get away with his abhorrent deeds. His twisted psyche makes him a character audiences love to hate or hate to love.
Bet you didn't know that You is actually drawing inspiration from the books with the same name by Caroline Kepnes. Check them out right here.
You Season 5 | Release Window & Production Start
Netflix not only confirmed the fifth and final season, we also got a release window – which is rather vague, to be honest. Like, extremely vague.
It's 2024. That's all Netflix gave us so far. But, good news: production has finally started in March, and if the schedule remains the same as we're used to it from past seasons, a December release seems doable. Still, a delay into early 2025 isn't out of the question, either.
You Season 5 | Where Is Joe Headed?
I'm assuming you're up-to-date with the show, but if you're not: kindly click away, there are some spoilers below!
What began in New York ends in New York: after season 4 and the mess that went down overseas in London, Joe and Kate return to the Big Apple. Neither Los Angeles nor San Francisco worked out, so getting back to where it all started is as good as any new beginning.
Joe finally knows for sure he's nuts, accepted his alter ego "Rhys" and that he's a cold-blooded murderer, and his filthy rich partner Kate accepts him for what he is. He's basically gotten away with everything he's done, and his girlfriend with her unlimited resources could get him out of every other issue he's up against.
And if there's one thing Joe's got, it's issues: not only his darkest, murderous part he's only embraced recently is one aspect he needs to deal with, there are also some loose ends that could turn out to be a problem. In the previous seasons, there are more than enough people with good reasons to hunt down Joe.
His journey still needs a conclusion and, as actor Penn Badgley put it lovingly in an interview with Indie Wire: "It feels to me like Joe needs to get what's coming to him, and now he has further to fall because he has all this power and wealth."
Amen to that! If and how Joe will finally have to man up to everything he's done and take responsibility for once surely is going to be a huge part of You's final season. With enough people having issues with him, chances are someone from the past tracks him down to make sure justice is served.
You Season 5 | Cast & Returning Characters
Let's get the most obvious one out of the way: of course, Penn Badgley is going to reprise the role of Joe Goldberg for the last time. Charlotte Ritchie most likely will return as Kate, but there may be some surprise guests. Also, a special someone might want to have a word with Joe: Marienne, played by Tati Gabrielle.
For once, Jenna Ortega might return to You. As Ellie Alves, she made her debut in season 2 and has been doing good apart from You with other hit shows, especially Wednesday. She's shown in the teaser, though, and chances are we'll see her again in the final season.
There are lots of other characters that may return for season 5: Dr. Nicky, played by John Stamos from season 1 might want to have a word with Joe. His little buddy Paco (Luca Padovan) probably also has questions and waits in New York, you get the idea: lots of potential there.
But, alas, fans will have to wait for the final conclusion of Joe's story – sometime in 2024.