Millie Bobby Brown backtracks on defending creepy YOU stalker Joe Goldberg after finishing Netflix series
Milly Bobby Brown has apologised for “offending” anybody with her defence of stalker Joe Goldberg in Netflix hit You.
The series sees bookshop manager Joe, played by Gossip Girl star Penn Badgley, develop an obsession with a customer called Beck, played by Elizabeth Lail.
Joe manages to manipulate her into falling in love with him after stalking her heavily online, something Brown defended as “just being in love”.
Brown, 14, was immediately targeted by fans who objected to her taking Joe’s side and romanticising the relationship, which is something even Badgley himself has warned people not to do .
But the Stranger Things actress soon returned to Instagram after finishing the series and admitted that she had changed her mind on the protagonist.
She said: “So I just finished You and, I guess the other day I made a video. I was on episode two, I guess I gathered an analysis too quickly.
“I just watched episode ten, most definitely is a stalker, but it was a really great show so I’m really excited for season two. My bad if I upset anyone.”
Brown had originally told fans that she was “binge watching” and didn’t find Joe creepy because he was “in love with her and it’s okay”, causing fans to blast her for being “naïve”.
sorry but the calling out and ‘cancelling’ of literal 14 year old millie bobby brown for having a naive and immature view on a tv show makes me uncomfortable. shes 14 you imbeciles what she needs is educating and time to grow
— bea (@reydanys)
when i was 14 i thought aria dating her own teacher when she was underaged was normal. don’t call millie bobby brown stupid for being young and not understanding a toxic dynamic.
— nita (@trikaelson)
Millie Bobby Brown's take on the stalker character from 'You' just goes to show how young and naive she is and how y'all need to stop treating her like she's a mature young adult when she's literally a 14 yr old kid smh
— - ̗̀megan ̖́- (@megancinema)
1/2The fact that Millie Bobby Brown has defended Joe in #You should be turned into a teachable moment and not a way to bully her. She’s a product of our culture, as we all are but she’s 14 and still learning. Obviously she needs to get off of Instagram and have a conversation
— 🌻Nina Lynn🌻 (@curlsandsassy)
millie bobby brown justifying a stalker's actions by saying he's in love with her is wrong and yeah a toxic mindset to have but attacking her is not the way to go about it she needs to be educated at the end of the day she’s only 14 years old
— sana | tlu spoilers (@lilyhale)
However, many pointed out that the actress is only a teenager and that people needed to “stop harassing” her and start a dialogue about why the relationship in the show is unhealthy.
Badgely was forced to step in last week and warn fans against romanticising his dangerous character when watching the show.
In a series of tweets, the actor responded to enamoured fans by reminding them Joe is a flawed murderer and said that his “motivation” for the second series will be to put an end to the people standing up for the character.
You is available now on Netflix