You season 5 will marks the end of Joe Goldberg's murderous journey - which took him all the way to the UK and back. We can't imagine that the series will wrap up with him finally getting caught - but anything can happen on a Netflix show. We now have an official release date for the season, as well as everything you need to know about the plot, cast, and more.
Arguably one of the best TV shows, the drama-thriller sees Penn Badgley play a creepy-yet-lovable serial killer who just can't seem to stop kidnapping people and locking them in a giant glass box, among other things. As we prepare to say goodbye to good ol' Joe, we've rounded up all of the information out there about You season 5 thus far.
With executive producers Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo taking over the reins from Sera Gamble, the final season promises an epic ending as Joe returns to New York City, where everything started. Will the ghosts of his past drive him mad?
Hello, you – are you ready for the ending of one of Netflix's most beloved shows? We've got you covered. Here's everything you need we know about the You season 5 release date, plot theories, cast updates, trailers, and more.
You season 5 release date speculation
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.
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
The first trailer for You season 5 dropped on January 16, 2025, with the release date in tow. In the brief clip, which can be watched above, 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.
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
- b – Phoenix
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.
