Penn Badgley Reveals Why His No Sex Scene Rule Was Axed in “You”’s Final Season: ‘Had to Throw That Out the Window’ (Exclusive)

Penn Badgley Opens Up About the Removal of His No Sex Scene Rule in “You” Season 5

In a recent exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Penn Badgley shed light on a significant change in the fifth and final season of the hit thriller series “You.” As the latest season premiered, viewers were quick to notice the return of steamy sex scenes involving Badgley’s character, Joe Goldberg. This shift marked a departure from season 4, where Joe and his eventual wife, Kate Lockwood, refrained from participating in intimate scenes.

The decision to reintroduce sex scenes came after Badgley initially declared his refusal to film such scenes, a stance that had sparked controversy among fans. Now, the 38-year-old actor admits to PEOPLE that the drastic change in season 5 forced him to abandon his no-sex-scene rule. He revealed that the decision on whether to incorporate sex scenes was a significant consideration for both him and the show’s creative team as they approached the final season.

Badgley explained, “That was the question again. All right, what am I willing to do? And as I always said, I said, my desire is that least as possible, but if it’s necessary, that’s the show we all sign up to make. So, let’s make sure it’s vital, let’s make sure it’s important, it’s deliberate. And we did.”

In the last season of “You,” Joe engages in an extramarital affair with a young woman named Bronte, portrayed by Madeline Brewer, who joins the bookstore where Joe works. As the storyline unfolds, it is revealed that Bronte harbors suspicions about Joe’s involvement in the death of her former TA, Guinevere Beck. Despite her initial intentions for revenge, Bronte finds herself developing feelings for Joe along the way.

Badgley expressed that he believes the series needed to revisit Joe’s image as a romantic figure, considering how his seemingly charming persona has deceived many of his victims. While acknowledging Joe’s flaws, the actor confessed that he will miss portraying the complex character, as the role has been a transformative experience for him over the years.

Reflecting on his personal growth during his time on the show, Badgley shared, “I became a father while I was on this show. I only got married just before I took the role. So I’ve grown a lot and I’ve grown with Joe in a strange way. He’s taught me a lot about what it is to be a man by knowing what it is not. And I don’t mean the obvious things like, oh, don’t murder, that’s bad. That’s very clear.”

As the final season of “You” continues to captivate audiences, all 10 episodes are now available for streaming on Netflix. Fans can delve into the thrilling conclusion of Joe Goldberg’s journey and witness the evolution of his character in this gripping series.

Penn Badgley’s insights into the evolution of his character and the creative decisions behind the scenes offer viewers a deeper understanding of the complex narrative woven throughout “You.” With the show coming to a close, audiences are left with a blend of nostalgia for the iconic character of Joe Goldberg and anticipation for the gripping culmination of the series.