In LifetimesYOU, Penn Badgley goes from playing Lonely Boy to playing… Lonelier Boy?
OnceJoe meets Beck, theres no turning back.
First he combs through all her social media accounts.
Next he steals her phone so he can read her texts.
And then theres that whole lurking-outside-her-bedroom-window thing.
Translation: Joe is stalker who will do anything in the name of love.
I was conflicted with the nature of the role.
If this is a love story, what is it saying?
Its not an average show; its a social experiment.
How would you describe Joe?Hes exceedingly curious and investigative and so sensitive, and ultimately traumatized.
So youre not like, Joes so great!Not even close.
To be honest, in the beginning of the process, I had no interest in humanizing him.
Like, just, spare us.
How does the show compare to the book?The show is different enough from the book.
So much of your performance is voice-over.
It was very technical.
Often I would go to work and not actually have any spoken lines that day.
I felt much closer to a crew member and just part of this team making this thing.
I personally really liked that.
It took some of the preciousness away from my particular role.
I think it gave me a certain kind of discipline, or empathy.
YOUpremieres Sunday, Sept. 9, at 10 p.m.
