Penn Badgley No Sex Scenes: Why His ‘No Sex Scene’ Rule
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Penn Badgley No Sex Scenes | Had to Throw That Out the Window,” Says Star as Joe Goldberg Returns to Steamy Form in Season 5
After a surprising pivot, Penn Badgley’s no intimacy scenes rule is gone, and fans are buzzing. The You actor, known for his deep portrayal of the ever-charming yet dangerous Joe Goldberg, opened up about the controversial shift in the show’s final season. As Netflix’s You Season 5 hit the platform, Badgley shared with PEOPLE why he ultimately reinstated sex scenes — despite previously drawing a hard line. | Penn Badgley No Sex Scenes
Why the Change? | Penn Badgley Intimacy Rule
“I had to throw that out the window,” Badgley told PEOPLE exclusively. The decision to return to intimate scenes wasn’t easy. It sparked internal debate between him and the show’s creative minds. “All right, what am I willing to do?” he asked himself heading into the final season. | Joe Goldberg Sex Scenes
Badgley emphasized that he didn’t take the reversal lightly: “If it’s necessary, that’s the show we all signed up to make. So, let’s make sure it’s vital, it’s important, it’s deliberate. And we did.”
Joe Goldberg’s Return to Form
Season 5 repositions Joe as both a lover and a liar. He embarks on an affair with Bronte, played by Madeline Brewer. Their chemistry leads to unexpected revelations, and steamy moments that bring the character full circle — seductive, mysterious, and dangerous.
Badgley admitted that this return was essential: “We had to bring back the side of Joe that people romanticize — even if it’s problematic. That’s part of the character.”
Growth On and Off the Screen | You Final Season Sex
From his first days on You, Badgley has changed. “I was 30 when I took the role. I’m turning 39 this year,” he reflected. “I became a father during this journey. It’s shaped me in profound ways.”
Joe Goldberg may be a fictional killer, but the character offered the actor some deep takeaways: “He’s taught me what being a man isn’t,” Badgley shared, adding that the lessons extended well beyond the obvious morality tales.
Inclusive Reflections
The decision to remove the sex scene ban also reflects a larger conversation around consent, vulnerability, and artistic responsibility. As viewers grow more conscious of how intimacy is portrayed on screen, actors like Badgley are bringing those discussions into the spotlight.
Final Season Streaming Now
Fans can now stream all 10 episodes of the final season of You on Netflix. As Joe Goldberg’s twisted journey reaches its conclusion, it marks not just the end of a thrilling series but also a transformation for the actor who portrayed him so intensely for nearly a decade.
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