'You' Showrunners Reveal Joe Goldberg Almost Had Very Different Fate in Series Finale

Showrunners Michael Foley and Justin W. Lo have revealed that Netflix's psychological thriller series "You" nearly concluded with a dramatically different ending for protagonist Joe Goldberg.

In recent discussions about the divisive series finale, the creative team disclosed they had contemplated several alternate conclusions before deciding on Joe's ultimate fate of arrest and injury.

"We considered a ghost Joe Goldberg ending for season 5," Foley and Lo explained, suggesting they had explored supernatural elements that would have taken the series in a completely unexpected direction.

Even more surprising, co-creator Greg Berlanti had proposed an ending where Joe would have "gotten away with everything," allowing the character to escape justice for his crimes entirely.

The series, which began on Lifetime before moving to Netflix, starred Penn Badgley as the murderous Joe Goldberg, alongside cast members including Charlotte Ritchie and Elizabeth Lail. Based on novels by Caroline Kepnes, the psychological thriller followed Joe's disturbing obsessions and criminal behavior across multiple seasons.

The showrunners' revelations offer fans insight into the creative process behind concluding the popular series and the various paths considered before deciding on the final resolution for Joe's story.