Which Former ‘You’ Stars Made Surprise Cameos in the Show’s Final Season?

Netflix’s final season of You surprised fans with a multitude of cameos from past characters.

You, which originally debuted on Lifetime in 2018, introduced Penn Badgley as a serial killer whose obsession for a girl grew to terrifying heights. Based on books by Caroline Kepnes, the series found larger success after it moved to Netflix in its sophomore season.

While fans are divided on how they want Joe Goldberg’s story to end, Badgley has never wavered, telling Salon in February 2023, “The show is never a clinical portrait of either a serial killer or a man with mental illness. So the fun that we’re able to have when we do all of this is that this is not meant to be real. And to me, that doesn’t take anything away from it. It’s meant to be an exploration, an exercise. There’s an element of fantasy and camp to it that lets us do a lot of things, and, again, I think we benefit from it.”

He continued: “If you’ve done things that Joe has done, change would mean reconciling in yourself that you have murdered more people than you can count readily on one hand. If you’re really there, I think what would require your reconciliation, let alone that with any kind of judgment in society, is more than you’ve indicated at this point you’re capable of, because you’ve done those things.”

Which ‘You’ Characters Are — and Aren’t — Returning for Season 5

Joe’s story ultimately ended with him going to prison for every crime he committed during the last five seasons. It wouldn’t be possible, however, without the return of some people from his past, which made for a star-studded season of the show.

Keep scrolling to see which You alums reprised their characters for the final season:

Elizabeth Lail

During season 1, Lail played Joe’s first obsession, Beck, whom he ultimately killed. The actress reprised her character in a past season as a manifestation, but this time around Lail was Beck in a flashback.

Bronte (Madeline Brewer) also envisioned Beck at the end after getting revenge for her former TA’s murder.

Amy-Leigh Hickman

Joe framed Nadia for murder in season 4 and Hickman returned to wrap up her story. With Kate’s (Charlotte Richie) help, Nadia was freed from prison and she was able to get Joe locked up.

Tilly Keeper

When Kate needed help, Lady Phoebe Borehall-Blaxworth was there to set the plan in motion that ultimately took Joe down.

Robin Lord Taylor

Season 2 introduced Taylor as a hacker whose identity Joe briefly assumed. Taylor briefly reprised his role as Will once Joe became a prime suspect in murder.