Penn Badgley Reveals Joe Goldberg’s Alternate Ending

Penn Badgley, star of the hit Netflix series You, just dropped a bombshell. Joe Goldberg’s fate was almost very different.

In the final season, Joe walks free. He embraces his dark side fully. Many fans were shocked. But it turns out, that wasn’t the only plan.

In a recent interview, Badgley shared details about a possible alternate ending. It would have changed everything.

“We considered killing him,” he said. “Or having him finally face justice.” Writers played with many options. But in the end, they stuck with Joe surviving.

Penn Badgley admitted he pushed for a darker ending. “I thought it would be fitting,” he explained. “Joe has done terrible things.”

Fans have long debated whether Joe deserves redemption. Some feel he’s misunderstood. Others see him as a clear villain.

The show’s creator, Sera Gamble, once hinted that Joe wouldn’t get away forever. But the final scenes suggest otherwise. Joe ends the series in New York. He’s powerful. He’s still dangerous.

Badgley said the writers wanted to reflect real life. “Sometimes bad people win,” he said. “It’s uncomfortable, but true.”

Still, he understands why fans wanted closure. “People want justice. I get that.”

Even though the show is over, the conversation continues. Fans are buzzing online. Many are torn about Joe’s final fate.

Would the alternate ending have satisfied more people? Maybe. But You has always thrived on tension and surprise. The ending stayed true to that.

Badgley hopes people see the show as a warning, not a guide. “It’s a critique,” he said. “Not a celebration.”

For now, Joe Goldberg’s story is complete. But his shadow still lingers. And thanks to Badgley’s reveal, fans now know — it could have ended very differently.