Gayety

Tag: penn badgley

  • Disrupting Joe Goldberg: Griffin Matthews Brings Queer Black Realness to Netflix’s ‘You’

    Disrupting Joe Goldberg: Griffin Matthews Brings Queer Black Realness to Netflix’s ‘You’

    Griffin Matthews enters the final season of You with a mission—and a killer sense of style. As Teddy Lockwood, the outcast brother-in-law of Joe Goldberg’s latest obsession, Matthews delivers the rare voice of reason in a show known for its chaos, privilege, and psychological twists.

    “This is the first job I’ve ever had where I watched all of the seasons and then found myself inside of it,” Matthews told Gayety. “Day one, I walk onto set and I’m like, ‘Oh God, that’s the cage. Oh God, that’s actually Penn.’”

    Who Is Griffin Matthews?

    Griffin Matthews is an actor, writer, and activist best known for roles in The Flight Attendant, She-Hulk, and Genius: MLK/X. Offscreen, he co-founded the Uganda Project, a nonprofit that supports students in East Africa, and co-wrote the acclaimed musical Witness Uganda, based on that work. Now, he stars as Teddy in the final chapter of the Netflix thriller.

    Teddy Lockwood may be new to You‘s universe, but he makes an impression fast. Positioned as an outsider within the elite Lockwood family, Teddy brings a grounded, empathetic energy that sharply contrasts with the show’s usual players. He isn’t just a supporting character—he’s a much-needed reality check.

    “He’s a different race, different culture, different economic background,” Matthews explained. “I loved that I was going to bring a different perspective to all of these rich, billionaire, white British people—murderer people.”

    Playing the Disruptor

    For Matthews, these roles are more than just great TV—they’re part of a bigger mission. With every role he takes on, he challenges the boundaries of who gets to exist onscreen, especially in thrillers where Black queer characters are often an afterthought.

    “I generally play the disruptor,” he said. “And I think normally the Black and the queer people—we’re the disruptors of life. We get to show people that there’s another version of this story.”

    Teddy is that disruption. He’s stylish and sharp-tongued, yes, but he’s also a voice of compassion and truth in a world consumed by lies. And for viewers watching at home, Teddy represents something we rarely see in a psychological thriller: authentic, layered representation.

    “It’s time for characters we don’t just see—we go home with them,” Matthews added. “We get to really know what’s behind closed doors.”

    Matthews hopes his character will be the beginning of a broader shift in the genre. “I’d love to lead a series where people get to peer into the world of what it actually is to be a gay Black man living in 2025.”

    Season 5 of You is now streaming on Netflix. Watch the full interview below.

    https://youtu.be/yqZEtUma1vc
  • Penn Badgley Breaks Down the End of ‘You’: “It’s As Close to a Perfect Ending As It Could Be”

    Penn Badgley Breaks Down the End of ‘You’: “It’s As Close to a Perfect Ending As It Could Be”

    After five seasons of obsession, murder, and internal monologues, Netflix’s You has finally come to an end—and no one’s more ready to talk about it than Joe Goldberg himself, Penn Badgley.

    SEASON FINALE SPOILERS AHEAD

    In an exclusive interview with Caitlynn McDaniel, Badgley reflected on the long, twisted journey of playing one of TV’s most charming (and horrifying) antiheroes. And when it came to the finale’s self-aware twist—where Joe is finally seen not as a misunderstood romantic but as an abuser—Badgley didn’t hold back.

    “To me, I think it is as close to a perfect ending as it could be,” he said. “You think of any show ever, it’s hard to land the ending. I think this one, there was a demand to end it better than most because it’s been a specific kind of journey. Joe’s not every protagonist. He’s so awful in a lot of ways.”

    Season 5 finds Joe back in New York City, with a new identity and a new partner: his London-born wife Kate (Charlotte Ritchie). But true to form, the cycle begins again when Joe becomes infatuated with Bronte (Madeline Brewer), a passionate young writer who soon becomes the next “You.”

    You. Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg in episode 501 of You. Cr. Clifton Prescod/Netflix © 2025

    The final episode leans heavily into the meta—calling out viewers who romanticized Joe despite his crimes and exposing the very real dangers of misconstrued love.

    “For the first time, we are seeing [his behavior] as abuse and truly predatory… not seduction,” Badgley explained. “You don’t want them to be together. And that’s the point.”

    You. (L to R) Madeline Brewer as Bronte, Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg in episode 503 of You. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2025

    While Joe’s crimes—stalking, murder, and a deeply unhealthy relationship with glass boxes—have always been front and center, Badgley believes the show’s true subject is even darker and more universal.

    “What this show is about is actually more about the relatable aspects of misconceptions of love that we all engage in—possession, jealousy… the way that desire can influence love and change it,” he said. “Joe is a construct… he’s not really a serial killer. Yeah, he’s a serial killer, but he’s not really.”

    That layered nuance, Badgley explained, is what made Joe both terrifying and familiar. “We have to control ourselves in ways that are important to be a fully reciprocating, consensual, engaged partner. And I don’t just mean physically—I mean in all the ways.”

    The final moments also shine a light at the audience’s complicated relationship with Joe, who some fans have romanticized over the years. In the end, we see Joe reading a letter from a fangirl who wants to be his next victim. “Maybe the problem isn’t me,” Joe muses. “Maybe… it’s you.”

    But even with all of Joe’s reflection and delusion, could anything have changed him? Not even fatherhood, Badgley said—especially not if Joe had been raising a daughter.

    “I’ve always thought that it shouldn’t take having a daughter for a man to be like, ‘Oh, I see women differently,’” he said. “For us to see women as people, it shouldn’t take that… I think the ugly truth is that he would be a horrific father to a girl. It’s like, no.”

    As for whether we’ll ever see Joe again? Badgley seems ready to close that book for good. “End the show now,” he laughed. “No, I don’t want to see that hypothetical world.”

    The fifth and final season of You is streaming now on Netflix.

  • Netflix Unveils Star-Studded 2025 Film Slate with Blockbusters, Documentaries, and Highly Anticipated Sequels

    Netflix Unveils Star-Studded 2025 Film Slate with Blockbusters, Documentaries, and Highly Anticipated Sequels

    Netflix has just announced its much-anticipated 2025 film slate, promising an exciting year of content that spans across multiple genres, star-studded performances, and high-profile directorial projects. In its latest “Next on Netflix” presentation, which included appearances from Tina Fey, Ben Affleck, John Mulaney, and the Duffer Brothers, the streaming giant unveiled a robust lineup of films that will hit the platform in 2025. From heartwarming comedies to gripping documentaries and thrilling sequels, Netflix is preparing to captivate global audiences throughout the year.

    Following a strong 2024, which saw critical successes such as “Emilia Pérez”—which nabbed 13 Academy Award nominations—Netflix is gearing up to deliver a year of diverse and compelling films. According to film chief Dan Lin, the pressure is on to continue the momentum with a mix of high-profile original films and returning fan-favorite franchises.

    Major Films, TV Series, and Star-Studded Releases

    One of the most buzzed-about titles in Netflix’s 2025 slate is Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated “Frankenstein,” slated for a November release. This gothic retelling will star Oscar Isaac as the mad scientist Victor Frankenstein, while Jacob Elordi will portray the iconic monster. The film promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally charged reimagining of Mary Shelley’s classic, with Mia Goth and Christoph Waltz rounding out the impressive cast.

    The series “You” starring Penn Badgley has also dropped its trailer for the highly anticipated season 5.

    Also generating a lot of attention is “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” a continuation of Rian Johnson’s wildly popular “Knives Out” franchise. Daniel Craig returns as the brilliant detective Benoit Blanc in the third installment of the series, which will feature an ensemble cast including Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, and Jeremy Renner. Fans of the first two films can expect another thrilling whodunit with plenty of twists and turns.

    George Clooney fans will also get their fix with “Jay Kelly,” a comedy from Noah Baumbach, which stars Clooney in a leading role. The film will also feature an all-star cast including Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Greta Gerwig, ensuring a starry lineup for this intriguing comedy.

    Notable Documentaries

    In addition to its blockbuster films, Netflix is also set to release a slate of compelling documentaries. Among the most anticipated is a film about legendary comedian Eddie Murphy, offering an in-depth look at his career and influence on comedy and pop culture. Other documentaries include a deep dive into the Manson murders, a chronicle of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and a gripping account of Osama Bin Laden’s capture.

    Additionally, viewers will get an inside look at the Air Force’s elite Thunderbirds squadron and a documentary about the Long Island serial killer. Netflix will also explore environmental issues with a film about endangered pangolins and a chilling examination of the Titan submersible disaster.

    Highlights of Netflix’s 2025 Film Schedule

    Winter 2025:

    • “Kinda Pregnant” (Feb. 5): Amy Schumer stars in this romantic comedy about a woman who wears a fake pregnancy belly and ends up meeting the man of her dreams. The film also features Jillian Bell and Damon Wayans Jr.

    • “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep” (Feb. 11): This animated fantasy series expands Netflix’s “The Witcher” universe. Geralt of Rivia faces a new threat as he’s pulled into a conflict between humans and merpeople, setting the stage for an epic battle to avoid war.
    • “La Dolce Villa” (Feb. 13): Scott Foley stars in this romantic comedy about a businessman who travels to Italy to stop his daughter from restoring a crumbling villa—only to discover romance and magic in the process.

    Spring 2025:

    • “Plankton: The Movie” (March 7): The latest installment in the “SpongeBob SquarePants” universe, focusing on Plankton’s thwarted plans for world domination.
    • “The Electric State” (March 14): A sci-fi thriller starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, set in an alternate 1990s following a robot uprising. The film follows a teenager and her robot companion as they embark on a journey to find her brother.

    • “The Life List” (March 28): A heartwarming romance starring Sofia Carson and Connie Britton, following a woman’s journey to complete her childhood bucket list, discovering romance and family secrets along the way.

    Summer 2025:

    • “The Old Guard 2” (July 2): Fans of the first movie will be thrilled to see Charlize Theron return as Andy, the immortal mercenary, facing a new enemy in this highly anticipated sequel.
    • “Fear Street: Prom Queen” (Summer 2025): The latest installment in the “Fear Street” franchise, set during prom season at Shadyside High. A mysterious series of disappearances turns a prom night into a deadly nightmare.

    Fall 2025:

    • “Frankenstein” (November 2025): Guillermo del Toro’s take on the iconic monster story, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.
    • “RIP” (Fall 2025): Ben Affleck and Matt Damon team up in this intense thriller about Miami cops discovering millions of dollars in a drug stash house, leading to fractured trust and a web of corruption.

    • Matt Damon and Ben Affleck for "Rip"
      Matt Damon and Ben Affleck for “Rip”
    • “The Woman in Cabin 10” (Fall 2025): Keira Knightley stars in this adaptation of Ruth Ware’s thriller, where a journalist witnesses a murder at sea but no one believes her, sparking a dangerous investigation.

    Animated Features and Special Projects

    In addition to the live-action films, Netflix is also launching several highly anticipated animated features in 2025. Highlights include “K-Pop: Demon Hunters,” which follows a K-pop girl group leading double lives as demon hunters, and “In Your Dreams,” a whimsical adventure about two siblings navigating their dream world. Animated rom-coms like “Lost in Starlight” and “Pookoo” will also appeal to audiences seeking unique storytelling in the animated space.

  • Penn Badgley Gets Candid on Filming Intimate Solo Scenes

    Penn Badgley Gets Candid on Filming Intimate Solo Scenes

    Penn Badgley shares what it’s like to film these scenes and the one critique he got from the director.

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