Penn Badgley is entering a new phase of his career, and the move could reshape how audiences see him across TV, film, and audio. The headline news is that Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners for representation in all areas, a strategic step that aligns with his growing ambitions as an actor, producer, director, and podcast creator.
Best known for his memorable turns in You and Gossip Girl, Badgley is no longer defined by a single breakout role. With this new representation deal, the focus now shifts to expanding Ninth Mode, his production company, across multiple formats including television, film, and podcasts.
Penn Badgley Signs With WME and Range Media Partners
The announcement that Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners signals more than a routine agency update. WME remains one of Hollywood’s most influential talent agencies, while Range Media Partners has built a reputation for pairing management with strong creative development. Together, the two companies are expected to help Badgley scale Ninth Mode into a broader content platform.
That matters because Badgley’s career has steadily evolved beyond acting. He has taken on producing responsibilities, stepped behind the camera, and built a recognizable voice in podcasting and conversation-led media. This representation agreement appears designed to support that multi-hyphenate growth.
Why this representation deal stands out
- All-area representation: the deal covers film, television, and other creative ventures.
- Production company expansion: Ninth Mode is positioned for growth across scripted and audio storytelling.
- Career diversification: Badgley is strengthening his profile as a producer and creator, not just a leading man.
For industry watchers, the fact that Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners suggests a long-term strategy centered on ownership, development, and brand-building.
From “You” to Ninth Mode: How Badgley Built Momentum
Badgley’s recent momentum owes a lot to Netflix’s You, where he starred as Joe Goldberg over five seasons. The series became a defining part of his modern career, giving him a platform to showcase both dramatic range and dark comic timing. Importantly, he also served as a producer and made his directorial debut during the show’s fourth season.
That progression is key to understanding why Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners now. His work on You demonstrated that he could contribute creatively beyond performance alone. As streaming platforms increasingly value talent who can develop, produce, and headline projects, Badgley fits the mold of a modern cross-platform creator.
Long before You, he became widely recognized as Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl. That CW hit helped establish him with a global audience, but his post-teen-drama career choices have shown a deliberate effort to avoid typecasting.
What’s Next for Penn Badgley?
Now that Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners, attention naturally turns to his upcoming slate. He already has several high-profile projects on the horizon, spanning romantic comedy, mystery, and psychological thriller.
Upcoming film and TV projects
- You Deserve Each Other — Badgley will star opposite Meghann Fahy in Amazon MGM’s adaptation of Sarah Hogle’s novel. He plays Nicholas Rose, part of an engaged couple whose relationship is unraveling. The film is slated for 2027.
- Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone — In Amazon’s adaptation of Benjamin Stevenson’s novel, Badgley is set to play Ern Cunningham, a mystery expert drawn into a family reunion where a trapped-in setting and mounting deaths fuel the suspense.
- NDA — He is also attached to the psychological thriller alongside Rachel Zegler and Amy Ryan.
This mix of projects reinforces why the news that Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners feels timely. His pipeline already spans genres and formats, and the new team can help maximize both creative opportunities and producing leverage.
Penn Badgley Beyond Acting: Podcasts, Books, and Conversations
Another reason Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners is noteworthy is his activity outside traditional screen roles. He co-produced and co-hosted the podcast Podcrushed with Sophie Ansari and Nava Kavelin, expanding his reach into audio storytelling. The trio also released the essay collection Crushmore in 2025.
He has additionally led the conversation series Can We Talk with Dr. Nura Mowzoon, showing an interest in thoughtful, issue-driven discussions that broaden his public identity beyond entertainment. These moves hint at a creator who is carefully building a media ecosystem around his interests and voice.
That is exactly why the development that Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners could have lasting significance. It supports a career model where acting, producing, podcasting, and publishing all feed into one another.
Career Highlights That Still Matter
While current headlines focus on representation and future projects, Badgley’s earlier film work still adds context to this moment. His credits include Margin Call, Easy A, John Tucker Must Die, The Stepfather, and Greetings From Tim Buckley. In Margin Call, he and the ensemble earned the Robert Altman Ensemble Cast Award at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Those titles underline his versatility. He has worked in teen comedy, prestige drama, thriller, and indie biographical storytelling. When Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners, he is doing so with a résumé that already proves range and durability.
What This Means for TV and Video Audiences
For fans of TV and video, the biggest takeaway is simple: expect more Penn Badgley in more places, and in more influential creative roles. This is not just about landing acting gigs. It is about shaping projects from the ground up, developing original work, and expanding Ninth Mode into a serious production player.
If the current strategy succeeds, audiences may see Badgley become as recognized for what he makes behind the scenes as for the characters he plays on screen.
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Conclusion
The decision that Penn Badgley signs with WME and Range Media Partners marks an important inflection point in his career. With Ninth Mode poised for expansion and a strong lineup of upcoming projects already in motion, Badgley is clearly positioning himself for a bigger role in the entertainment business. For viewers, creators, and industry observers alike, this is a sign that Penn Badgley’s next chapter may be his most ambitious yet.
