Penn Badgley on why PH fans need to watch Season 2 of ‘You’

Penn Badgley prefers to let his work speak for itself.

“I don’t think it’s right for actors to discuss [the merits of a film or TV show with its audience]—I don’t think wit’s the right thing to do,” the handsome 33-year-old actor told us during a recent video call to talk about the upcoming Season 2 of his immensely popular Netflix series “You.”

“It’s not always the case that you want to interact with a show’s viewers so much because that’s not always the role of the actor,” he said. “But there’s really something about this show that lends itself to hearing feedback from viewers.

“I mean, everything I’ve ever gotten from the Philippines since this show came out has been positive and supportive. So I’m very appreciative. I just want to say thank you and I hope you like the second season. I’m delighted that everybody’s watching.

“Like, how many millions of people are there in the Philippines? 110 million? I don’t know how I would say anything to that many people at once. But, um, I would say that your support means a lot—it really does! Although I don’t know how a show like ‘You’ can brighten up your Christmas (laughs)!”

The eagerly anticipated sophomore season of “You,” which premieres on Netflix on Dec. 26, provides another thespic showcase for Penn Badgley, who shines in yet another iteration of his character Joe Goldberg’s thoughtful menace.

The show itself is a deliriously dark delight. After Beck’s death, Joe makes the big switch from New York to LA after he is appropriately spooked by the reappearance of Candace (Ambyr Childers), who miraculously rises from the grave. Candace was Joe’s misbehaving ex-squeeze before he met Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail).

This time, Joe crosses paths with Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), his new romantic interest, as well as her loony brother Forty (James Scully) and a feisty pair of sisters, Delilah (Carmela Zumbado) and Ellie (Jenna Ortega).

Unlike most actors, who will gladly articulate their “romanticized” perception of the characters they portray, Penn is only too happy to call out his characters’ creepy “crimes and misdemeanors.”

“I think what actors say about not judging their characters is a bunch of nonsense,” he mused. “If you can’t judge a character’s actions between ‘action’ and ‘cut,’ then you’re dead! If you ask me if there’s any need for me to justify Joe’s morality to defend his actions and decisions, I’d have to say no. That would be morally irresponsible!

“People like Joe are too good at getting away with anything. But we need to understand why we’re so accepting of him, in a way. So to me, I don’t have to talk about it, but here I am doing just that. Since I do have to talk about it, here’s what I think: We need to sort of speak out against Joe, lest people would think that what he’s doing is OK. Like, that wouldn’t be right. He doesn’t need defending.”

Asked if it was easier to play Joe, who’s now known as Will, Penn explained, “This doesn’t mean it’s fun, but the more you live with any kind of pain, the more you’re able to endure it—does that make sense? Joe is a fictional character that encourages a lot of thoughtful conversation and reflection among viewers, because of the social commentary he seems to inspire about different issues.”

Our Q&A with Penn:

What challenges did you hurdle while filming Season 2? It was challenging to deal with how sticky fake blood gets (laughs)!

Is there a scene that you really liked filming? Yeah, I enjoyed the eighth episode because it was so manic, and Joe was like a tripped-out mannequin because of the LSD [he was made to take]. I was exhausted by the end of it, but I enjoyed it because it was so physical. And I ate so many pastries this season (laughs)!I also loved working with the supporting characters, like Victoria, James, Jenna and Carmela. It was wonderful to have them around because Joe is such an an asshole, you know (laughs)?

Why should Filipino viewers watch the latest season of “You”?I am appreciative of the response from the Philippines, particularly when I was in Manila. I think they should watch it because it’s the progression of the story. You can think of it as a conversation piece.

The show goes to new places this season, especially with the introduction of Victoria’s character, Love. Without talking about any spoilers, Love is a substantially different character who helps us see a different side of Joe. And much like last season, people are going to get all of the fun stuff, and I also think the finale will really f*ck them up (laughs).OK, here’s why the second season should be seen: It’ll be a new experience for Joe because, unlike Beck, Love actually wants to be in a meaningful relationship with him. He didn’t set out looking for a new relationship. Joe had to chase Beck in a way that made a lot of sense to him, because he’s a predator. On the other hand, Love doesn’t make as much sense to Joe because she isn’t prey.

Joe doesn’t really think he’s bad. I mean, is that the way a real serial killer thinks and behaves? Frankly, we’re not trying to understand the mind of serial killers better. I don’t think this is a clinical portrayal of a real human—this is more like a mirror or social experiment. I just make him mean everything he says, that’s all I do.

So, when he’s trying to be a good man, he’s truly trying to be good. He’s just doing what needs to be done in order to get to the good thing.

More than anything, Joe just wants to connect with somebody—that’s why people identify with him. He really wants to be seen. That’s all he wants. He wants people to see him. That’s what Love provides for him.

If you can change anything about Joe’s story, what would it be? For Joe to not kill anyone! But, guess what, no one would watch the show anymore (laughs). As much as I’m conflicted in my experience of portraying him, it’s also great when we’re able to talk about it like this. INQ

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