You [1] may have flown a bit under the radar when it first debuted on Lifetime, but as soon as the twisted thriller was acquired by Netflix [2], it catapulted into the binge-watching spotlight. Memes were made [3], sleep was lost, questionable feelings were formed [4], and curtains were purchased as newfound fans watched Joe Goldberg develop an unsettling obsession with Guinevere Beck. The show's cast is part of what makes it so darn addicting, as it's stacked with familiar faces including Shay Mitchell, John Stamos, and, most prominently, Penn Badgley [5]. Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the various stars of the hit Netflix series while you impatiently gear up for season two [6].
Penn Badgley
Badgley plays the lead role of Joe Goldberg, an obsessive bookstore manager who quickly develops an infatuation with an aspiring writer. You likely recognise the 32-year-old actor from his stint as Gossip Girl's Dan Humphrey [7], though he's also starred in movies like Easy A and John Tucker Must Die.
Elizabeth Lail
Lail portrays Guinevere Beck, the aforementioned aspiring writer and recipient of Joe's affection. Fans of Once Upon a Time saw her play Anna during the show's fourth season [8]. The 26-year-old North Carolina native also starred in Freeform's supernatural horror series Dead of Summer and made appearances on The Blacklist and The Good Fight.
Shay Mitchell
Mitchell puts on her best fake smile to play the role of Peach Salinger, a wealthy Brown University alum and the queen bee of the series [9]. The 31-year-old actress catapulted into the spotlight for her recurring role in Pretty Little Liars [10], and she recently starred in The Possession of Hannah Grace, a 2018 horror flick.
Luca Padovan
The youngest actor in You's cast, Padovan stars as Paco, Joe's adorable, book-obsessed neighbour. He may only be 15 years old, but the New York native has some solid acting experience, as he made an appearance on The CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and has starred in a handful of Broadway shows, including School of Rock the musical.
John Stamos
Stamos brings his smouldering good looks to You [11], portraying Beck's bearded, pot-smoking therapist, Dr. Nicky. Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 30 years, you likely recognise Stamos for his various roles in shows like Full House, Scream Queens, Necessary Roughness, ER – the list goes on.
Kathryn Gallagher
Catch Gallagher showing off her flawless eyebrows while playing the role of Annika Atwater, Beck's Instagram-influencing, body-positive friend. The daughter of actor Peter Gallagher, she's also a musician, with a few original songs that've been featured in films.
Nicole Kang
Kang brings the party as Lynn Lieser, Beck's socialite friend who's always down to hit the bars with her ladies. This is the NYU grad's breakout role, though she's also appeared in a short called Jack and Jane and will be in an upcoming drama called Swallow.
Lou Taylor Pucci
Pucci portrays Benjamin "Benji" J. Ashby III, the "formerly" drug-addicted Home Soda founder. Before starring in the thriller series, Pucci was in the 2005 film Thumbsucker and made appearances in Girls, Law and Order, and Falling Water.
Natalie Paul
Paul plays the role of Karen. Best known for her appearances in Crown Heights and Show Me a Hero, Paul has also been in shows like The Deuce, The Sinner, and Power.
Ambyr Childers
Childers pops up during the first season as Candace, Joe's mysterious ex-girlfriend. The actress has also been in All My Children, Ray Donovan, and The Master.
Victoria Cartagena
Cartagena stars as Claudia, a nurse and Paco's drug-addicted mother. The Pennsylvania-born actress has also appeared in Fox's Gotham and NBC's Manifest, in addition to doing some theatre and commercial work.
Hari Nef
Nef delivers some of the show's best one-liners as Blythe, Beck's know-it-all Columbia University classmate with whom she forms an unexpected friendship. The star of Amazon's Transparent, Nef's movie credits include Assassination Nation and Mapplethorpe.
Zach Cherry
Cherry plays the role of Ethan Russell, a big-hearted guy who works at Joe's bookstore. Before You, the actor had roles in Crashing, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Search Party, and he's also involved with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York.
Daniel Cosgrove
Cosgrove (no relation to Miranda Cosgrove, that we know of) stars as Ron, Claudia's abusive parole officer boyfriend who's constantly suspicious of Joe. The Connecticut-born actor is also known for portraying Aiden Jennings in Days of Our Lives, Scott Chandler in All My Children, and Bill Lewis III in Guiding Light.