Penn Badgley.Photo: Slaven Vlasic/Getty
Penn Badgleyknows how he would approachYouserial killer Joe Goldberg if they were to meet in real life.
The 36-year-old actor admitted that he’s been “meditating” about a real-world encounter after portraying the character since 2008 on Wednesday’s episode of theStitcher podcastPodcrushed.
Despite Joe’s history of Joe’s violence and stalking, theGossip Girlalumbelieves that his character would benefit from compassion.
“I really, at this point, and I think I’ve been clear about how much I detest all of his deeds, so, in that context, I would actually try to love him,” he explained. “Because, the truth is, he’s never gotten that. So I would ask Joe… I, honestly, feel like I would look at him for a long time.”
“Because of my relationship to him,Iwould try to love him,” he added. “I’m not saying he deserves that. I’m not saying anybody else should do that. I’m sayingIwould try to love him. He needs that. He needs love.”
Badgley concluded would offer the character some tender love and care, sharing, “It’s like, I would hug him … I would hold him.”
JOHN P. FLEENOR/NETFLIX
Badgley’s admission comes after his character has shown no mercy for three seasons of the hit Netflix series, which is based on Caroline Kepnes' best-selling novels.
Season 1 followed Joe in New York City as he started — and permanently severed — a romance with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail).
Season 2 saw Joe move to Los Angeles and fall forLove Quinn(Victoria Pedretti). The two quickly bonded over the fact that they were both grieving a recent loss, and Love realized pregnant with Joe’s child just as they were discovering the depths of each other’s darkness.
Season 3 continued to follow Joe and Love — this time, as a married couple raising their son in a Northern California suburb.The wild season 3 finalesaw Joe kill Love before jetting off to Paris in pursuit of his latest obsession Marienne (Tati Gabrielle).
In September,Netflixdropped a creepy yet festivenew teaser for season 4during Tudum: A Netflix Global Fan Event.
“I’m not the lovable bookstore manager in New York, or the shop clerk in L.A., or the doting husband in the suburbs,” Joe began in his signature cerebral voiceover. “No. Not any more.”
Now living in the U.K. under the pseudonym of Professor Jonathan Moore, a bearded and besuited Joe continued, “Allow me to introduce myself. I’ve gone through a bit of refinement upon crossing the Pond, and living in London has allowed me to bury the past, if you will.”
Tyler Golden/Netflix
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source: people.com
