You season 3 release date, trailer, cast and more

Victoria Pedretti and Penn Badgley star in You on Netflix
(Image credit: Netflix)

Missing You? Luckily, the drama returns in just a few days. And in even better news, You season 3 has gotten the green light from Netflix! 

Penn Badgley is back as stalker/killer Joe Goldberg, as is Victoria Pedretti, who played his season 2 paramour Love Quinn. The series is based on the books You and Hidden Bodies by author Caroline Kepnes. You season 3 may also take some story ideas from her third book, You Love Me, which was published in April.

You originated on Lifetime but really became a hit after it moved over to streaming. Now, it's one of the most popular and best shows on Netflix. Season 1 introduced Joe, a bookstore manager in New York City, who becomes obsessed with writer Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail). He began tracking her and tarted killing people who threaten their romance. 

In season 2, Joe moved to Los Angeles to start over with a new identity. He met Love Quinn and fell back into his old habit of stalking. But he was surprised when the tables were turned on him. In season 3, Joe and Love are married with a baby. But he returns to his old tricks by spying on his neighbor, Natalie.

Here's everything we know so far about You season 3.

You season 3 release date

Netflix has set the You season 3 release date for October 15, 2021.

Netflix renewed the show on January 14, 2020 and announced season 3 would premiere in 2021. However, the coronavirus pandemic shut down most film and TV productions, so You season 3 was delayed. 

Filming on season 3 began in November 2020 but was put on hold due to a COVID-19 surge. Production resumed in February 2021 and wrapped in April.

You season 3 trailer

The full You season 3 trailer starts with Joe confessing that he's the most scared he's ever been ... because he's welcoming his baby boy into the world. And for his son, Joe has moved to a "soulless suburb" and marry "the monster," Love. But this nice, normal couple aren't what they appear. And Joe soon returns to his stalking habit with a new target, neighbor Natalie.

The first You season 3 teaser trailer served as a release date announcement. It also introduced Baby Goldberg's name: Henry.

You season 3 cast

Penn Badgley and Victoria Pedretti are confirmed to return as Joe Goldberg and Love Quinn in You season 3.

Another season 2 cast member who will definitely be back is Saffron Burrows as Love’s mother, Dottie Quinn. 

Others who could possibly reprise their roles include: Jennie Ortega as precocious teen Ellie Alves, who went on the run at Joe’s instigation; Michael Reilly Burke as Love’s father, Ray; and Robin Lord Taylor as hacker Will Bettelheim. 

You fans have also speculated that Joe’s mother, Sandy (Magda Apanowicz), who was seen in flashbacks during season 2, could appear again in some form in season 3.

Although their characters are dead, other cast members could also return in flashbacks or visions in You season 3. Gamble told The Hollywood Reporter, “One of my favorite things to do is bring back a dead person to haunt you. So the door is wide open for everybody's favorite characters.”

They might include James Scully as Forty Quinn; Ambyr Childers as Candace; and Carmela Zumbado as Delilah Alves. However, Chris D’Elia almost certainly won't return as comedian Henderson, due to allegations of sexual exploitation and possessing child pornography.

It’s also possible that season 1 star Elizabeth Lail could make a cameo again as Guinevere Beck, Joe’s ex-lover, whom he murdered. 

However, one star won't be back: John Stamos as Dr. Nicky, the therapist Joe set up for Beck’s murder who is now in prison. Stamos told Entertainment Tonight, "I believe they shot the third season and Dr. Nicky is not a part of it."

You season 3 will be introducing a fleet of new cast members. The most high-profile  addition is Scott Speedman, who will play Matthew, described on Twitter as a "successful CEO, husband, and uncommunicative father. He’s reserved, at times mysterious, and has a tendency to be withdrawn, all of which masks a deep well of emotion underneath." 

Fans of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend will be happy to see Scott Michael Foster as Ryan, a local television reporter. Deadline reported the character is a "a well-liked single dad who has overcome a history of addiction" but also "has secrets, including a controlling, calculating demeanor that he reserves for those closest to him and anyone who gets in his way."

Dylan Arnold and Tati Gabrielle are on board as series regulars, according to Variety. Arnold is Theo, "a college student with a strained and complicated relationship with his stepfather. Theo is wise and perceptive, but vulnerable and troubled, with a propensity to get tangled up in his loved ones’ problems and to drown his own in controlled substances and dangerous behavior."

Gabrielle is playing Marienne, "a smart, no-nonsense librarian who doesn’t let much get by her. Marienne is a keen observer of the neighborhood’s denizens, too savvy in the ways of the real world to be taken in by patrons’ privilege and oblivious entitlement.  Beneath her practical, buttoned-up exterior, Marienne is hiding personal struggles that continue to set her back, hard as she tries to create a better life for herself and her young child.

Also joining You season 3 in a recurring role is Michaela McManus, who plays Joe's next-door neighbor Natalie and the subject of his growing fascination. More on her below.

Netflix previously announced, via Twitter, that Shalita Grant will play Sherry, a "'Mom-fluencer' who appears down to earth, but is actually a mean girl who only pretends to welcome Love into her social circle."

Travis VanWinkle is also joining as "wealthy Cary, who invites Joe into his inner circle."

As for the other new cast members, they are:

  • Shannon Chan-Kent as Kiki, a devoted member of Sherry’s cliquish “mean girl” friend group. Kiki is a wife, mother and life coach who enjoys a life of entitlement, frequenting mid-day fitness classes and enjoying lengthy gossip sessions at the local cafe.
  • Ben Mehl as Dante, a librarian who retains his wit and equanimity no matter what the day brings. A veteran whose eyesight was damaged, Dante is a dedicated family man with a husband and two stepchildren who longs to expand his family, and delights in helping his friends with their children.
  • Chris O’Shea as Andrew, an adoring member of Sherry’s cliquish inner circle. A fit stay-at-home dad, Andrew is dependably tuned in to the latest town gossip.
  • Christopher Sean plays Brandon, Kiki’s husband, who struck it rich in his mid 20’s as a tech investor, is now a stay-at-home dad for his kids.
  • Bryan Safi as Jackson, Andrew’s wry husband; they have an enviable, loving marriage. Despite Jackson’s high-powered job as a tech attorney, he’s managed to stay humble.
  • Mackenzie Astin as Gil. A mild-mannered geology professor is thoughtful, friendly, and genuinely good-hearted if a bit vanilla and naive.
  • Ayelet Zurer asDr. Chandra. A chic, brusque, but extremely seasoned couple’s therapist who has every intention of getting to the bottom of her patients’ issues.
  • Jack Fisher as Young Joe Goldberg. Seen in flashbacks to a Boy’s Home where he is bullied mercilessly, Young Joe is sensitive and vulnerable to influence.
  • Mauricio Lara as Paulie, a friend of Young Joe. Savvy with hard-earned smarts beyond his years, Paulie attempts to help his friend toughen up and negotiate the tough world of the boys home.

You season 3 neighbor theories

You's season 2 finale teased Joe's next obsession: his neighbor. While fans immediately speculated the neighbor is his long-absent mother, Badgley has debunked that theory from the start.

“She’s definitely not his mom,” he told Bustle. “I can say that.”

The casting of McManus as the neighbor, named Natalie, has proven that Badgley was telling the truth. The character's description reads, "Married to a powerful man, Natalie is a professional and social success. But she sees through the shallow, Stepford-esque vibe that surrounds her, and beneath her wry exterior, she leads a secret life. One that Joe is willing to work hard to learn more about."

You season 3 plot and spoilers

You season 3 will follow the events of the season 2 finale, in which Love described how she stalked Joe to make him fall in love with her (just as he stalked her). She also confessed to murdering Delilah, in addition to Candace. But to prevent Joe from killing her in return, Love revealed she was pregnant with his baby. 

The couple moved to the suburbs to have and raise their baby, but Joe’s obsessive fixation was already turning to their new neighbor. Staring at her from behind his fence, he said, “This is just the beginning. Because this is where I had to be exactly where I had to be to meet You."

Gamble explained that the final scene shows “Joe is still Joe in a way that's not going to be great for Joe …. It seems clear that he's falling into some version of that same pattern. I can't say that we know exactly what a season three would be, but I can say things won't go well for Joe.”

On Twitter, Gamble teased, "Also, the episodes are f---ing bonkers and the performances are insanely good. That’s all I’ll say about that till we are ready to talk about the new season."

In an interview on SiriusXM, Badgley also teased that You season 3 will focus on Joe and Love’s relationship. 

“It’s set up so I think it’s actually kind of like an examination of marriage, in a way,” he said, adding, “He’s in the same kind of bind that I think every relationship sees at some point. The feelings of affection have gone. You’re frustrated with the imperfections of the other person. And you’re thinking to yourself, ‘How can this go on?’”

In addition, several plot threads from the two previous seasons remain dangling, such as Ellie’s whereabouts. Joe is still sending her money, but Ellie may not stay on the run for long. Fans have theorized that since Joe seems incapable of hurting a child, Ellie could be the one to finally bring him down. 

Though Forty was shot and killed, his script adaptation of Beck’s novel, The Dark Face of Love, is still floating around and could be turned into an actual film — threatening to expose Joe.

And fans will be glad to learn that You season 3 won’t be the last, as long as Netflix wants more.

“I will say that we have a lot of stories still to tell,” Gamble said. “I am not scared at all of saying that we definitely could follow Joe for several more seasons.”

You season 4 is coming

Netflix has a treat "for you" — the streamer has ordered You season 4. The announcement came with a video that proves just how creepy and murder-y Joe Goldberg really is.

When it comes to what's next for Netflix, there's little bigger than Stranger Things season 4, but Netflix is keeping mum while the cast dishes hype. This winter, though, The Witcher season 2 is coming, and we're hoping The Umbrella Academy season 3 is right behind it.

Looking for something of a different tone? Emily in Paris season 2 and Ginny and Georgia season 2 are both confirmed, while someone big is leaving in Bridgerton season 2

Other big drama news includes the latest gossip about The Crown season 5, which should be royally entertaining. Plus, a familiar face is returning in Cobra Kai season 4.

Kelly Woo
Streaming Editor

Kelly is the streaming channel editor for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.