You season 5 arrives in a matter of weeks. The final installment of one of the best Netflix shows will see Penn Badgley's charismatic serial killer Joe Goldberg return to New York City after taking London by storm in season 4.
Now, his past looks like it might finally catch up with him once and for all (especially with mention of a certain Peach Salinger in the latest trailer...), and Joe has a new love interest, too. There's also been a switch-up behind the scenes, with executive producers Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo taking over as showrunners from Sera Gamble.
To prepare for Joe's last hurrah, we've done some digging of our own and compiled everything you need to know about You season 5. Grab your baseball cap and read on to get the lowdown on the new season's release date, plot theories, cast updates, trailers, and more.
You season 5 release date
Netflix announced the release date via the first trailer for the final season on January 16, 2025. You season 5 is set to hit the streamer on April 24, 2025. You can check out the trailer below.
All ten episodes will be released at once, so there's no splitting up this season. The streamer initially confirmed this release window through a couple of official posters. The final season was originally slated to be coming to Netflix in late 2024, but it was delayed to 2025.
Goodbye, you. The killer final season of YOU is coming in 2025. pic.twitter.com/faYEn6JcXGDecember 19, 2024
You season 5 trailer
Although we still don't have a first full trailer for You season 5, Netflix has released a few teasers with chilling glimpses at the new season.
The latest You season 5 clip dropped on February 25 (you can watch it above), and it features Joe thinking about how far he's come in life while getting ready to go out with Kate.
A previous teaser for You season 5 was released on January 16, 2025, with the release date in tow. In the brief clip, Joe Goldberg reflects on all the women (and victims) in his life – from Victoria Pedretti's Love Quinn and Tatianna Gabrielle's Marienne. Towards the end, we see Joe reunited with his good ol' box – which was noticeably absent in You season 4 as he was hiding out in the UK under a new identity.
Another teaser was released at the end of January, which saw Goldberg trapped inside his glass box. "Hello, you, haven't we met? I'm sure we must have crossed paths," he says in a voiceover. "Perhaps I can refresh your memory, I'm Joe. Let's get to know each other better before we bid each other one last farewell." The clip ends with him bashing the glass wall, before saying, "Goodbye, you."
The first full-length trailer was released on March 10. The clip, which you can watch below, gives us our best look yet at what to expect from the final season.
We learn that Joe is now married to Kate, but his wife's status as an heiress and socialite has propelled him into the spotlight and given him some unwanted attention in the press now that he's back in New York City. As his past threatens to catch up with him (remember Peach Salinger, anyone?), there's also a new love interest in the ring. Joe meets Bronte (played by The Handmaid's Tale's Madeline Brewer) at the bookstore where it all began with Beck back in season 1, and it seems like he's up to his old tricks once again. But how much longer can he keep getting away with it? We'll have to wait and see...
You season 5 cast: who could return?
As is typical in a season of You, there was quite a lot of movement in the cast during season 4 after Joe slowly killed off several characters. However, by the season finale, there were a few notable stars remaining, and it seems almost certain some of them will be back for more episodes.
First off, Penn Badgley will be back as lead Joe Goldberg – the only character who's appeared in every episode so far. Murderous Joe has had many aliases over the years including Will Bettelheim and Jonathan Moore, but in the You season 4 finale he's embraced Joe once again after heading back to New York City.
Right by Joe's side is Charlotte Ritchie as Kate Galvin, his girlfriend. By the end of season 4, Kate's accepted a job and moved to the Big Apple with Joe. Meanwhile, after her character Marienne survived by outwitting Joe with the help of Nadia Farran, we know that Tati Gabrielle will also return.
On that note, Nadia actor Amy-Leigh Hickman could also return, even though her character is now in prison. Baby Reindeer star Nava Mau is joining the show with a guest star role as Detective Marquez.
While her character didn't appear in season 4, Jenna Ortega has also shared that she'd love to be back as Ellie in the show. But given she's going to be busy filming Wednesday season 2 and a new movie with Barry Keoghan, this is very much still up in the air.
There have also been some new cast members confirmed, see the full list of those below.
- Penn Badgley – Joe Goldberg
- Charlotte Ritchie –Kate Galvin
- Tati Gabrielle – Marienne
- Madeline Brewer – Bronte
- Anna Camp – Raegan and Maddie Lockwood
- Griffin Matthews – Teddy Lockwood
- Natasha Behnam – Dominique
- Pete Ploszek – Harrison
- Tom Francis – Clayton
- Nava Mau – Detective Marquez
You season 5 plot speculation
Netflix has released an official synopsis for You season 5: "Joe Goldberg returns to New York to enjoy his happily ever after… until his perfect life is threatened by the ghosts of his past and his own dark desires." There's not much to go on here, unfortunately, but it sure teases an epic finale for the story.
The fourth season ended with Joe embracing all sides of his killer self as he moved to New York City. Living with Kate, he's reclaimed the narrative about his life, telling his version of the truth about surviving Love Quinn.
It seems he's managed to avoid all of the consequences of his time in London by framing Nadia. However, a few people still know the truth about him. One of these is Marienne, who we saw in the finale sitting in her Paris apartment reading a news story about Joe and Kate. While she managed to escape his clutches, our money is on Marienne hunting him down to pay for his crimes very soon...
Even if the show does like to mix things up in new locations each season, it looks like season 5 is set entirely in New York City, with some ghosts from Joe's past still lingering there.
Will You season 5 be the final season?
Netflix has confirmed that You season 5 will be the series' final installment.
Speaking about this prior to the announcement, Badgley told the Happy Sad Confused podcast: "I signed a six-year contract right out the gate. So they could do two more if they wanted. I think if there's another season, I think it's only going to be one. I think – this is my understanding, but I don't know, I really don't know. But I know that everybody concerned, from the top on down, nobody wants this show to become tired, because that's when Joe is the most disgusting. That's when the show stops having the intelligence that it has."
For more, we've rounded up the best Netflix movies and the best Netflix thrillers for you to stream next. Or you can look ahead and check out our list of all the new TV shows heading our way.
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