After leaving piles of bodies in his wake (and around the world), Joe has come back home to New York City. He’s now equipped with the influence and money that comes with a multi-billion-dollar bank account. But, is enjoying all the privilege Manhattan has to offer enough to curb Joe’s most violent urges? 

“In the beginning of Season 5, he has accepted those dark part of himself,” Badgley says. “But Joe has also quickly learned that Kate couldn’t (or wouldn't) accept him — as much as it seemed like she would at the end of Season 4. Joe has withheld a lot of key bits of truth.” 

What happens when Prince Charming turns back into a frog? A prolifically murderous frog?

Badgley broke out in Gossip Girl — which has an unexpected connection to You Season 5. 

“Returning to the Mooney’s set was particularly poignant because this is where we shot Gossip Girl,” the actor says. “And I hadn’t really been [back] here except for one day of camera testing a long time ago. So it was creating new memories, but with something that is also quite in the cultural zeitgeist.” 

In Season 3, Joe and his first wife Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) welcomed their son, Henry. Following Love’s death, Joe — determined to track down Marienne (Tati Gabrielle) in Europe — left baby Henry with his neighbors in Madre Linda. 

Well, in Season 5, Henry is back in his father’s arms, and attending a posh private school in Manhattan. After all he’s being raised as Kate’s son now, a privilege which comes with all the advantages of the billionaire class, co-showrunner Foley said. “Joe loves this current life so much that he's willing to resist any impulses that might rock the boat and threaten the life that he’s made for himself,” he explained. “Most importantly, we’re really keying in on the life that Joe’s providing for Henry.” 

However, Badgley pointed out that there are still some obstacles ahead for the youngest member of the Goldberg-Lockwood family. Badgley says, “[Joe]’s avoiding the fact that Henry’s early years have been so all over the place that he needs therapy, good parents, or, at least, a positive, loving environment.” 

You is DeMaio’s first acting credit. 

Kate is now the CEO of the Lockwood Corporation, and has the determination and vision to prove it. While her late father Tom Lockwood (Greg Kinnear) was all about profits, Kate is trying something different. She’s focused on making the business as philanthropically minded as possible. 

Ritchie promises we’ll see a “soft and deeper side” to Kate as she contends with her family in New York. The entire Lockwood clan is constantly jockeying for control of the company. “We're seeing her in a new context. She has to deal with old family dynamics and see if she can change them,” Ritchie says. “This whole season is about redemption and change for Kate, and whether that's possible.” 

Ritchie was happy to return to You after her introduction in Season 4. “I felt really excited to get another go at it. I felt like I was just getting to know the character and working her out last season,” she says. “I felt like there was still unfinished business with Kate.” 

Previously, Ritchie starred in Mae Martin comedy Feel Good and historical drama Call the Midwife.  

Kate might be surrounded by enemies at Lockwood Corporation, but she does seem to have one ally: Teddy, her half-brother. 

“He is street smart. We talked a lot about Teddy being from Harlem and being a different type of calculating than the Lockwoods and Joe,” Matthews said. “Teddy learned everything from the streets. Now, he’s been educated and he’s got an MBA, but I really wanted to try to bring a sense of authenticity to Teddy.” 

While Teddy loves and respects his powerful sister, he’ll ask tough questions when necessary. “I wanted him to feel calculating and kind, but he’s got to have killer instincts,” Matthews added. “We all do.” 

Matthews appeared in Your Place or Mine and Dear White People. He also previously collaborated with You executive producers Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter in dramedy The Flight Attendant.  

One of Kate’s twin half-sisters, Reagan is a force to be reckoned with. “Reagan is not a fan of Kate being in the leadership position at Lockwood Corp.,” Camp explained. “She thinks that it should have been hers all along. At the end of the day, Reagan has decided that she's going to literally do whatever it takes to get it.” 

Costuming helped Camp — who portrays both Lockwood twins — get into character as “uptight” Reagan. “I had my hair back, pulled tight, I was wearing black, and I found myself walking around on set feeling very confident, excited to go in and do the scene,” she says.  

Camp starred in all three Pitch Perfect movies. She also appeared in comedies Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Lovebirds, and Desperados. 

Reagan would never accept anything less than a picture-perfect life. Enter Harrison, her doting husband and the father of their daughter Gretchen. Harrison is the most affable member of the family — a golden retriever in a sea of sharks. 

Ploszek appeared in Babylon, Captain Marvel, and Teen Wolf.  

Maddie is the other half of the Lockwood twin dynamic. “She hasn’t really found the love of her life,” Camp said. “Maddie hasn’t really found her place in the world either, because she was always put down so much by Reagan. So, there’s a lot of tension there and competition between the two of them.”  

Prone to pink dresses and a flirty attitude, Maddie appears to be the less intimidating sister. But, don’t be fooled by her soft demeanor, she’s a Lockwood after all, and can totally get down to business.

Camp was nominated for an ensemble SAG award for her work in True Blood Season 2. 

The death of Lockwood patriarch Tom left a power vacuum in the family. Buffalo Bob — who gained his nickname for his cowboy behavior — filled that void. As a key member of Lockwood Corportation, Buffalo Bob has acted as a mentor and support system for Kate. 

Dempsey appeared in crime series Mayans M.C. and Barry, as well as legal dramas All Rise and Pearson. 

Meet Mooney’s latest employee. “She likes romance novels, fairy smut, and internet sleuthing. That’s Bronte,” Brewer said. 

Joe can’t help but be charmed by the newcomer, says Badgley. “She’s the archetype of the manic pixie dream girl. She’s got this tattered cardigan hanging off her shoulders with a short skirt and Doc Martens. This dramatic, kind of sexy little bob. And she’s talking about books.” 

It’s that love of reading that pulls Bronte toward Joe as well. “Bronte’s very intrigued by him. They’re both big book nerds, writers, and enchanted by New York City, and Mooney’s specifically,” she tells Tudum. “Bronte reminds Joe of himself, in a way.” 

Brewer comes to You from The Handmaid’s Tale. She’s a longtime fan of You, saying, “I loved it. I watched every season as soon as they came out.” 

Clayton and Bronte have a very “contentious” relationship, according to Brewer. “Bronte fills Joe in on some of that story — how she moved to New York, was with Clayton, and he really took care of her, then pulled the rug out from under her when she decided they wouldn’t be sleeping together anymore,” she explains. “Such an asshole.” 

You is Francis’ first major credit. He can currently be seen on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard.

Henry’s opulent private school naturally comes with someone like Dr. Val — a resident child psychologist who is as posh as she is new age. Naturally, Dr. Val tends to rub Joe the wrong way.

Hurd appeared in six episodes of Gossip Girl alongside Badgley. You can also find her in Anyone But You, Star Trek: Picard, and Blindspot. 

Dominique is one of the many new people Joe meets on his journey outside of the rarefied parts of Manhattan. She might seem to be aloof, but is fiercely passionate and loves her friends.

Behnam starred in The Girls on the Bus. 

Phoenix can be seen milling around the downtown scene, and is a resourceful member of that social set who also has a strong ethical code.

b has appeared in The Terror, Elsbeth, and WeCrashed. 

Detective Marquez is a law enforcement officer ready to demand answers. 

Mau was nominated for an Emmy and a BAFTA for her performance in Baby Reindeer. 

If you’re having an image problem, Kim is the person you want on your side. She’s a “journalist” and influencer who holds immense sway over public opinion. 

Gardner has starred on Saturday Night Live since 2017. She’s also appeared in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend, Girls5eva, and Hustle — and lent her voice to Leo and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. 

You never forget your first. Beck was You’s inaugural You, and Season 1’s co-lead. An enthralling mix of contradictions and surprises, aspiring writer Beck always kept Joe on his toes. Tragically, she fell victim to her then-boyfriend’s most vicious tendencies in the Season 1 finale. 

Yet Season 5 tracks all the way back to Beck, when it’s revealed that Bronte is actually a former student of hers. Bronte returns to New York only to avenge her favorite TA’s murder. 

“Bronte felt very inspired by Beck, seen and accepted in a way that she had never felt in Ohio. Anybody who’s come from a small town and then moves to New York knows you find your soulmates, the people that you were looking for your whole life. To Bronte, that was Beck,”  Brewer explains. “Even if it was just a blip for Beck, it was very important to Bronte.” 

Lail starred in the horror video game adaptation Five Nights at Freddy's. She also spent time with a very different fictional Joe — the titular protagonist of drama Ordinary Joe. 

In You Season 3, Joe’s wandering eye brought him to Marienne, a Madre Linda librarian with a complicated past. Naturally, Joe’s adoration quickly escalated to dark (and dangerous) obsession. In Season 5, she has unfinished business with her violent ex. 

Gabrielle cast a spell on The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as sword-wielding witch Prudence Night. She also starred in the heist drama Kaleidoscope. 

Many of Kate’s posh London friends weren’t so sure about Joe in Season 4. However, Lady Phoebe was his greatest champion. Is she still singing the same supportive tune in Season 5? 

Keeper was a longtime star of the British soap opera EastEnders. 

Nadia was also charmed by Joe back in London. Initially, she thought Joe — who was using the pseudonym Jonathan Moore — was the only professor who understood her. All of that changed when Joe framed Nadia for the murder of her classmate and love interest Edward (Brad Alexander). Will Nadia get her much-deserved vengence in Season 5? 

Hickman also appeared in EastEnders, as well as mystery limited series Safe. 

Speaking of Jonathan Moore — Joe loves an alias. In Season 2, he stole the idenity of hacker Will Bettelheim. Despite the transgression (and an abduction), Joe and Will managed to strike up a years-long friendship, which continues in Season 5. 

Taylor broke out playing quirky crime lord Oswald Cobblepot (aka the Penguin) in the Batman drama Gotham. He has also appeared in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, Kevin Can F**k Himself, and The Walking Dead. 

Before the Madre Linda momfluencers or the Lockwood boardroom jousters, there was Beck’s clique of New York hipster girlbosses. Instagram-famous Annika was a key member of the Season 1 friend group. It’s no surprise the social media celeb has something to say in Season 5 once Joe finds himself trending. 

While You star Badgley stole hearts in the original Gossip Girl, Gallagher appears in both seasons of the reboot. You can also find her in Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of the Hour. 

Sherry is one half of one of You’s most memorable couples. This Season 3 breakout also has her fair share of internet renown — and it’s only increased after her brush with Joe and Love. 

Grant starred in the crime procedural NCIS: New Orleans. You can also spot her in the coming-of-age comedy Special and the zombie dramedy Santa Clarita Diet. 

Cary and his wife Sherry are now bestselling authors — and they can thank Joe and Love for helping them achieve that success. The Conrads return in Season 5 to reflect on the Goldberg-Quinns’ unconventional conflict resolution methods.  

Watch Van Winkle flex his action chops in FUBAR alongside star Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

In Season 1, Joe sees a lot of himself in Paco, a young neighbor with a troubled home life. Paco returns in Season 5 with an unexpected perspective on Joe. 

Padovan appears in The Life List as Ezra, a student of the rom-com’s heroine, Alex (Sofia Carson). 

While Joe and Love rarely saw eye to eye on anything by the end of their marriage, they always agreed on their distaste for Dottie, the Quinns’ complicated matriarch. In Season 5, Anavrin co-founder Dottie still has a lot to say about her former son-in-law. 

Burrows stars in the series Mozart in the Jungle, the ancient Greek epic Troy, and the action movie Deep Blue Sea. 

Although Joe tends prioritize romance over platonic friendship, he once had a pal in Season 1 co-worker Ethan. In Season 5, the ex-Mooney’s employee is more than happy to share his opinion on the store, its “haunted” basement, and, most importantly, its controversial owner. 

Cherry was nominated for a drama ensemble SAG award for his scene-stealing performance in Season 1 of Severance; he continues to star in the sci-fi drama. Cherry also appears in Paul Rudd’s dark comedy Living with Yourself.