He may have been born in Baltimore, but there’s something about Penn Badgley that’s quintessentially New York. It could be his quick wit and self-deprecating charm – or the fact that we’ve watched him traverse the city’s cinematic streets for years in two iconic TV roles: Penn wrapped his five-season tenure as the murderous Joe Goldberg in Netflix show You earlier this year, a chilling story that starts and ends in New York City. But he may be more famous still for his portrayal of the OG Brooklyn boy, Dan Humphrey, in Gossip Girl
Today, it feels only right that Penn has put down roots in Brooklyn, where he lives with his wife Domino and their two children – with two more on the way. As a guest on At Your Service, Dua crowned him “one of the most interesting and reflective people I’ve gotten the chance to speak with on the podcast”, and their conversation spans everything from faith and fatherhood to his newfound appreciation of the people and places around him.
“My career is so large and it’s taken me around the world, but what it has pulled me away from in the last five years is my immediate community – and the role that I can and should play in that,” he says. “That’s where my mind’s at now. The community around you is essential, and in generations to come I think it’s going to be more essential as the world goes through intense times.”
With small children and a desire to slow down after nine years of starring in one of Netflix’s biggest hits, Penn is turning his attention to the small joys to be found on his doorstep. Here, he shares his five favourite spots to spend time in his local neighbourhood...
For A Caffeine Hit... Hungry Ghost Coffee – “Hungry Ghost is a small chain of coffee stores in New York City, and it’s really good,” says Penn. “We know the owners; their son goes to school with my stepson.” Opened in Brooklyn in 2012 and inspired by the Turkish coffee houses of the founder’s home, it serves stellar cold brew (and some very cool merch).
For A Failsafe Lunch... Pasta Louise – There’s no shortage of top-tier Italian spots in Brooklyn, but Penn thinks he may have found a winner. “Pasta Louise is incredible. They have a slow-cooked bolognaise with ricotta... I think it’s the best pasta I’ve had,” he says. Book a table to sit down and savour it at the restaurant on 12th Street, or pick up some fresh pasta to-go from their sister café on 8th.
For A Wholesome Afternoon... Brooklyn Public Library – Park Slope is the base for several beloved children’s authors, so it figures that it’s also home to one of the city’s most kid-friendly libraries. “The children’s section is really cool,” says Penn. “There’s a statue of the book character Knuffle Bunny there and it’s so adorable.” Come for the cuteness, stay for the tiled fireplaces and stained-glass archways.
For Dinner With Friends... Frankies 457 – With its fairy-lit courtyard and pared-back elegance, Frankies is Penn’s pick for a long, languorous evening around the table with loved ones. It may even be his favourite place to eat, he says. “They have a spicy sausage cavatelli that is actually the best... Pasta Louise is a close second.”
For Creative Inspiration... Brooklyn’s Many Bookshops – While Penn loves perusing the borough’s many independent bookstores for works by great thinkers (he namechecks Gabor Maté’s The Myth Of Normal on the podcast), he’s hesitant to share his sources. “I don’t want to shout out the bookshop I love most because it’s so close to where I live,” he admits. But if you’re in the area, you won’t be disappointed by the superior stacks at Community Bookstore, the oldest in Brooklyn, and the aesthetically pleasing Books Are Magic.
Listen to Penn’s full conversation with Dua for our podcast, At Your Service, here
