Netflix’s psychological thriller You ended with a dramatic finale after five intense seasons. Instead of finding redemption, the main character Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley, faced justice—thanks to Bronte, played by Madeline Brewer.
At an event in New York City on April 29, Brewer spoke about the show’s powerful ending. She said it was an emotional experience that stayed with her for days. “It was a huge moment, and really exciting to help bring closure to five seasons,” she told People magazine.
Brewer explained that the final scenes were carefully planned, with every detail choreographed, even down to small scrapes on their bodies. Despite the preparation, she found the experience very intense and emotionally challenging.
In the last season, Brewer’s character Louise Flannery, an English student from Ohio, takes on the identity of Bronte. She works at Joe’s bookstore, seeking to uncover the truth behind the murder of Guinivere Beck, Joe’s first victim and former love interest.
In the final episode, Bronte confronts Joe at gunpoint near a vacation home. She shoots him, but it’s not fatal. Ultimately, Joe ends up in prison for all the terrible crimes he committed throughout the series.
Penn Badgley, 38, also shared his thoughts on the show’s ending and saying goodbye to Joe. He called playing the serial killer a profound experience. “He’s not a real person,” Badgley said, reflecting on how he grew up while playing Joe and even became a father during the show.
Badgley added that playing Joe taught him a lot about manhood, mostly by showing him what it means not to be a man.
