📚 Main Topics

1. Character of Joe Goldberg

   • Penn Badgley reflects on his role as Joe Goldberg, a character he has portrayed since 2017.
   • He discusses the complexity of playing a character who is a murderer and manipulator, emphasizing the need to ground the character in reality.

2. Actor's Relationship with Character

   • Badgley shares insights on the difficulty of separating the actor from the character, especially when portraying a psychopathic murderer.
   • He explores the psychological aspects of Joe Goldberg, including the themes of trauma and rage.

3. Nature vs. Nurture

   • The conversation touches on the causes of sociopathy and psychopathy, with Badgley expressing his belief that these traits are not innate but rather caused by various factors, including trauma.

4. Moral Complexity in Characters

   • Badgley discusses the trend in modern media to present antagonists as complex characters shaped by their environment, which can lead to a troubling justification of their actions.
   • He contrasts this with other characters, like Walter White from "Breaking Bad," who are often labeled as unequivocally bad.

5. Religious Conflict and Language

   • Badgley addresses his discomfort with the frequent use of religious expletives in scripts, particularly in relation to his personal beliefs as a Baha'i.
   • He reflects on the power of words like "God" and "Jesus Christ" and their use in modern vernacular.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Grounding CharactersIt is essential for actors to ground their characters in reality, especially when portraying morally ambiguous figures.
• Understanding BehaviorExploring the psychological roots of a character's behavior can provide depth and authenticity to the portrayal.
• Moral AmbiguityCharacters can be complex, but it is important to recognize and not excuse their harmful actions.
• Language and BeliefThe use of religious language in scripts can conflict with personal beliefs, prompting actors to navigate these challenges thoughtfully.

🧠 Lessons

• Complexity of HumanityCharacters like Joe Goldberg serve as a reminder of the complexities of human behavior and the factors that contribute to it.
• Responsibility in StorytellingWriters and actors have a responsibility to portray characters in a way that acknowledges their moral implications.
• Personal ReflectionEngaging with a character's darker traits can lead to personal introspection and a deeper understanding of one's own emotions and beliefs.