Penn Badgley has revealed that he asked for fewer sex scenes during the latest season of Netflix's You out of respect for his wife.
On a new episode of his podcast 'Podcrushed', the 36-year-old stated that he discussed the issue with the show's runner, Sera Gamble.
"I asked [showrunner] Sera Gamble can I just do no more intimacy scenes," he told his co-host Nava Kavelin. "This is actually a decision I made before I took the show. I don't think I have ever mentioned it publicly. One of the main things was, do I want to put myself back on a career path where I'm always playing the romantic lead?"
Perhaps one of Badgley's most notable roles is a charismatic serial killer in Netflix's thriller series, titled You.
It follows the story of Joe Goldberg and his dangerous obsession with his love interests, though season four sees him try and turn over a new chapter in London after the carnage he left behind in California. But being reunited with past lovers as well as new flings means there's a tempting chance of him spiraling back to his old ways.
While his character on the TV show might be easily tempted, Badgley is quite firm in his stance about fidelity.
"Fidelity in every relationship, including my marriage, is important to me. It's got to the point where I don't want to do that. So I said 'my desire would be zero, to go from 100 to zero.'"
However, the former Gossip Girl actor explained that his contract played a big part in his portrayal of the character.
"But I signed this contract," he continued. "I signed up for this show. I know what I did. You can't take this aspect out of the DNA of the concept. So how much less can you make it, was my question to them.
"She didn't even bat an eye. She was really glad that I was that honest. She was sort of almost, I want to say empowered, it had a really positive response. They came back with a phenomenal reduction."
Badgley met his wife, Domino Kirke, back in 2014 and the pair tied the knot in two separate and intimate ceremonies in 2017.
Speaking to PEOPLE, the 36-year-old opened up about his love for his wife, with whom he shares a two-year-old son.
"I don't think I could truly value human love until I developed divine love," Badgley told the outlet. "[Domino and I] very much had a romantic beginning, and I think that you discover in marriage that what sustains a marriage for decades — there are less and less people who can tell us this — but I think it has something to do with [divine] love."
He also emphasized his devotion to his religious beliefs and how this played a crucial part in cementing the couple's relationship.
"I'm really grateful for [the notoriety], but also, you struggle with things," he said. "The phenomenon of fame is literally invisible, but it influences and dominates your life if you aren't careful. Learning how to accept it and accept that lots of people think they know me is ultimately what led me to seek out such a spiritual perspective."
Season four of You is now available to watch on Netflix.
