As Netflix’s You gears up for its highly anticipated final season, actress Madeline Brewer joins the psychological thriller for its last chapter, delivering a haunting and calculated performance as Bronte, a mysterious new presence in Joe Goldberg’s life.
In an exclusive interview with Where Is The Buzz’s Wayne Ayers, Brewer opened up about her role, the series’ dark themes, and what it truly says about society’s treatment of Power, privilege, and accountability.
Joining a Cultural Phenomenon
Madeline Brewer, widely recognized for her work in The Handmaid’s Tale and Cam, enters You in its fifth and final season and immediately makes an impact. As Bronte, she becomes both a mirror and a trap for Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), playing on his weaknesses and romantic tendencies.
“From the start, Bronte was very deliberate,” Brewer shared. “She knows who Joe is. She knows what he likes. She knows how to present herself in a way that draws him in. It’s not an accident. It’s calculated.”
Brewer references Episode 6 of the final season, where Bronte states her goal clearly: “I think I can make him fall in love with me.” This line becomes a pivotal moment that reframes her behavior throughout the season. “Everything she does in Episodes 2 through 5, it’s all part of a strategy,” Brewer added. “She’s manipulating Joe by using the very characteristics she knows he finds irresistible, a bookish, dreamy, slightly lost woman.”
Bronte and the Echoes of Past Characters
When asked who she’d like Bronte to share a scene with from previous seasons, Brewer didn’t hesitate. “Probably Love,” she said, referring to Love Quinn, Joe’s intense and volatile partner from Seasons 2 and 3, played by Victoria Pedretti.
“I loved Love and Forty. That whole season was brilliant. I admire those performances so much. Victoria and James Scully brought such depth to their roles,” Brewer said. “It would’ve been incredible to see how Bronte and Love would interact. Two very different women, but both extremely smart and emotionally complex.”
Brewer’s comments reflect the layered universe You has built over its five-season arc, where characters are never simply victims or villains. They are reflections of deeper societal and psychological undercurrents.
Society’s Role in Joe Goldberg’s Reign
One of the more thought-provoking moments in the interview came when Ayers asked Brewer whether she believed society plays a role in enabling someone like Joe Goldberg. Brewer’s response was emphatic.
“Yes. Short answer, yes,” she said. “When you look at the fact that Joe is a traditionally attractive, straight, white man, it says everything. Our society is built for that person to succeed.”
Brewer went on to describe how this dynamic is at the core of You’s thematic strength. “That’s why the show works,” she said. “You take someone who fits into the most privileged identity in our culture, and then you let him get away with murder. It forces the audience to confront how we excuse certain behavior because of race, gender, and perceived charm.”
She continued, “Power, money, whiteness, masculinity, it’s all part of this system that allows Joe to keep going. He doesn’t exist in a vacuum. He’s propped up by the very structures we all participate in.”
Emmy-Worthy Performances?
As the series concludes, talk of awards season has begun circulating. Ayers asked Brewer if she thinks her co-star Penn Badgley will finally receive the Emmy recognition many believe he deserves, and if she might be in the running herself.
“” hope so,” Brewer replied. “Penn is not just a great actor, he’s incredibly responsible with how he’s portrayed Joe. This role could’ve easily turned into ‘I’m the murder guy from the murder show,’ but Penn brings layers. He invites the audience to question themselves, their biases, and their complicity. I’ve seen firsthand how deeply he cares about this character and this story.”
While Brewer deflected any personal ambitions for awards, Ayers noted her powerful performance in Season 5. “You both delivered something special this season,” he said.
“I appreciate that, thank you,” Brewer responded sincerely.
What to Expect from the Final Season
The fifth season of You, premiering April 24, 2025, marks the end of Joe Goldberg’s twisted journey. This final installment brings Joe back to New York City, where he must face the ghosts of his past and possibly his reckoning. With Bronte now entangled in his life, the tension is at an all-time high.
Brewer’s presence in the final season promises to be more than just a new love interest. Bronte challenges Joe psychologically, tapping into his patterns while holding a mirror up to his manipulations.
“It’s a fitting end,” Brewer concluded. “The story comes full circle, but it also evolves. There’s something deeply satisfying about how it all unfolds.”
Madeline Brewer’s addition to You brings fresh energy and psychological depth to a series that has always thrived on moral complexity. In her short time with the cast, she’s managed to leave a lasting impression, not just on viewers, but on the show’s legacy itself.
As fans prepare for the final season, Brewer’s take on Bronte reminds us that in a world built on appearances and privilege, the most dangerous game isn’t murder. It’s manipulation.
Catch the final season of You on Netflix, premiering April 24, 2025.
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