Sometimes life doesn't imitate art, as is the case for You star and producer Penn Badgley, who negotiated with Sera Gamble, the creator of the Netflix series, for fewer sex scenes, which can already be felt in the first half of You Season 4. Badgley's reasons are commendable, and his feelings were reciprocated by the creator, showing a positive work environment for the cast and crew.
You is a thriller-driven character study on a bachelor serial killer played by Badgley, who justifies his murderous intent in the name of love, which may be better described as the toxic obsession of what his character confuses with love. The Netflix series romanticizes Badgley's character as the romantic lead, and as a result, You has many scenes of intimacy that the show has been known for over the years. However, this is an aspect of the series that Badgley has not particularly enjoyed while on set. After four seasons, the actor is letting his feelings out on the situation, which reflects a cognitive-emotional approach to communication in the workplace.
Badgley was on the Podcrushed podcast when he described a conversation with You creator Gamble that expressed his “desire would be zero” for intimate scenes in You season 4. “This was actually a decision I had made before I took the show. I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned it publicly, but one of the main things is: Do I want to put myself back on a career path where I’m always the romantic lead?” For Badgley, staying faithful in his marriage is more important than acting, which insinuates lines that the actor would prefer not to cross in his work. “Fidelity in every relationship — especially in a marriage — is important to me,” Badgley went on to describe how he knew he had signed a contract and that “you can’t take this aspect out of the DNA of the concept. So how much less can you make it?” Luckily, Badgley expressed that the show's creator appreciated his honesty and fully supported his position.
Badgley continues in his conversation with the Podcrushed podcast, saying, “she was really glad that I was that honest.” He further suggests that “she was sort of almost, I want to say empowered, she had a really positive response,” and that the showrunners “came back with a phenomenal reduction.” This can already be seen by You season 4 Part 1 being much tamer than Netflix's You season 3, which included a foursome sex scene, for comparison's sake.
The first half of You season 4 had one sex scene with no kissing or nudity for reasons that make sense within the context of the scene itself and the story regarding Badgley's character's desire to live a quiet life as a teacher in London, revealing a cleverness on how the showrunners were able to adhere to both its target audience and Badgley's level of comfortability on set. The idea of sexuality and intimacy is still at the forefront of You season 4, so if Badgley didn’t say anything, it might have been surprising if fans had noticed the lack of sexuality significantly.
You season 4 Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: Podcrushed (via The Wrap)