Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) returns for his most twisted chapter yet in You Season 5, where his fragile facade of redemption crumbles under the weight of his compulsions. This season, the self-proclaimed “reformed” antihero grapples with fatherhood, a crumbling marriage to Kate Galvin (Charlotte Ritchie), and a chilling new murder spree that forces him to confront his darkest impulses. Set against the backdrop of London’s elite, the series delves deeper into Joe’s fractured psyche as he battles to outrun his past—and the ghosts of victims like Marienne Bellamy (Tati Gabrielle), who resurface to dismantle his lies.
With a fresh wave of paranoia and moral decay, You Season 5 introduces deadly new players, including a cunning journalist (Madeline Brewer) and a disgraced aristocrat (Tilly Keeper), all while Joe’s estranged son, Henry (Frankie DeMaio), becomes a pawn in his dangerous game. The season blends razor-sharp social satire with psychological horror, asking: Can Joe ever change, or is he doomed to repeat his cycle of violence? Expect shocking twists, morally bankrupt elites, and the return of fan-favorite characters in a finale that promises to redefine the series’ legacy.
You Season 5 Cast
1. Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg
Penn Badgley, born November 1, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland, transformed from Gossip Girl’s heartthrob Dan Humphrey into one of TV’s most iconic villains as Joe Goldberg. His portrayal of the charming yet lethal stalker earned global acclaim, with You becoming Netflix’s flagship thriller. Badgley’s nuanced performance—swinging between Joe’s manipulative charm and self-loathing—has sparked debates about toxic fandom and the allure of antiheroes, cementing his status as a pop culture lightning rod.
In Season 5, Badgley pushes Joe to his breaking point, directing an episode that delves into the character’s childhood trauma. Off-screen, he’s a vocal advocate for mental health and consent education, using his platform to critique Joe’s actions while acknowledging the role’s complexity. Badgley’s haunting voiceovers and chilling fourth-wall breaks remain the series’ backbone, blurring the line between protagonist and predator.
2. Charlotte Ritchie as Kate Galvin
Charlotte Ritchie, born August 29, 1989, in London, rose to fame in British comedies like Fresh Meat (2011–2016) and Ghosts (2019–2023) before joining You as Kate, Joe’s wealthy, morally ambiguous wife. Her Season 4 arc revealed Kate’s ruthless business acumen and complicity in covering Joe’s crimes, but Season 5 explores her struggle to protect Henry while distancing herself from her husband’s chaos. Ritchie’s ability to balance icy resolve with vulnerability makes Kate a standout foil to Joe’s madness.
Off-screen, Ritchie is a classically trained singer (starring in Call the Midwife) and LGBTQ+ ally. She’s hinted that Kate’s backstory—including her fraught relationship with her late father—will take center stage, adding depth to her power plays in London’s cutthroat art world.
3. Tati Gabrielle as Marienne Bellamy
Tati Gabrielle, born January 25, 1996, in San Francisco, reprises her role as Marienne, the art curator who narrowly escaped Joe’s clutches in Season 4. Known for The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020) and Uncharted (2022), Gabrielle brings steely determination to Marienne’s quest for justice. Her return fuels the season’s tension as she allies with Joe’s enemies to expose his crimes.
Gabrielle, a advocate for Black representation in horror, has teased that Marienne’s arc will challenge the “final girl” trope. Off-screen, she’s a trained dancer and climate activist, using her platform to promote sustainable fashion.
4. Tilly Keeper as Lady Phoebe
Tilly Keeper, born November 17, 1997, in London, joins the cast as Lady Phoebe, a disgraced aristocrat entangled in Joe’s schemes. Best known as Louise Mitchell on EastEnders (2016–2020) and Fate: The Winx Saga (2021–2022), Keeper’s knack for playing flawed, fiery characters shines in Phoebe’s arc, which involves blackmail, addiction, and a lethal grudge against Kate.
Keeper, who identifies as bisexual, has championed queer storytelling in interviews. Her chemistry with Badgley adds a seductive, dangerous edge to Phoebe’s manipulations, making her a wildcard in Joe’s unraveling plans.
5. Madeline Brewer as Bronte
Madeline Brewer, born May 1, 1992, in New Jersey, stars as Bronte, a tenacious journalist investigating Joe’s past. Brewer, acclaimed for her roles in The Handmaid’s Tale (2017–present) and Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), brings ferocity to Bronte, whose pursuit of truth clashes with Joe’s knack for evasion.
Brewer, open about her struggles with anxiety, has called Bronte a “relentless force of nature.” Off-screen, she’s a mental health advocate and amateur boxer—a skill she incorporates into Bronte’s physical confrontations with Joe.
6. Amy-Leigh Hickman as Nadia Farran
Amy-Leigh Hickman, born December 3, 1997, in London, returns as Nadia, the literature student who uncovered Joe’s secrets in Season 4. Now using the alias Nadia Farran, she’s a fugitive mentoring Henry while evading Joe’s wrath. Hickman, known for Our Girl (2018) and Industry (2020–present), infuses Nadia with razor-sharp intellect and desperation.
Hickman, mixed-race (Nigerian/English), has pushed for Nadia’s storyline to address racial biases in true-crime narratives. A poet and painter, she draws on her artistic background to craft Nadia’s coded messages to Henry.
7. Kathryn Gallagher as Annika Atwater
Kathryn Gallagher, born June 19, 1995, in New York City, plays Annika Atwater, a socialite with ties to Kate’s art empire. Gallagher, a Tony-nominated actor (Jagged Little Pill) and singer-songwriter, brings Annika to life as a seemingly vapid influencer hiding a dark double life.
Gallagher, who wears a prosthetic leg due to childhood cancer, advocates for disability representation. Her role challenges stereotypes, with Annika’s Instagram persona masking her role in a black-market art ring.
8. Frankie DeMaio as Henry Goldberg
Frankie DeMaio, born March 10, 2018, reprises his role as Joe and Love’s son, Henry, now a precocious 7-year-old caught in his father’s crosshairs. The young actor’s wide-eyed innocence contrasts chillingly with Joe’s manipulations, as Henry begins questioning his adoptive family’s secrets.
DeMaio, one of Hollywood’s busiest child actors, balances You with voice work in animated series. His guardians prioritize shielding him from the show’s darker themes, using green-screen techniques for intense scenes.
