The story
Joe Goldberg runs a New York bookshop and comes across as the thoughtful, well-read partner anyone might hope for. When an aspiring writer walks into his store, though, his interest hardens into stalking, manipulation and far worse. Because we hear his calm inner monologue rationalising every step, the series makes viewers uneasy accomplices, seeing the world through the eyes of a charming man whose devotion turns deadly.
Why it matters
You is the clearest example of a show whose audience arrived only after the move. By its producer's own account the Lifetime run did not do very well, yet Netflix said the first season was on track for more than 40 million viewers in its first month there, and the series went on to run five seasons as a Netflix original.
How it was rescued
Season one premiered on Lifetime in September 2018, and Lifetime had announced a second season before it even aired. In December 2018 Lifetime rescinded that renewal and the show moved to Netflix as a global Netflix original; Netflix's first new season arrived on 26 December 2019.
Filed under: Cancelled, then revived online
Notable facts
- Before Lifetime bought it, the developers' pitch was turned down twice by Netflix. (source)
- Greg Berlanti said the show was first sold to Showtime, which then let the producers take it elsewhere. (source)
- Netflix said the second season was watched by over 54 million viewers in its first month. (source)