Speaking with IndieWire, "You" showrunner Sera Gamble revealed that there had been plans to bring back Ellie in the show's fourth season. "We wanted to bring Ellie back and we heard, 'Oh, Jenna is doing some show,'" said Gamble. "Some show," of course, turned out to be "Wednesday," whose production schedule conflicted with that of "You" Season 4. That said, Gamble said the door is still very much open for Jenna Ortega to reprise her character. "We have ideas for Ellie if her schedule allows her to visit us again."
Ortega is hardly the only one among the many past cast members of "You" whose busy schedules have to be accommodated. John Stamos' Dr. Nicky is serving a long prison sentence, but his own return wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility, provided, once again, that they can balance Stamos' own schedule. Even Penn Badgley has other projects to consider, having appeared in a handful of movies since "You" first premiered. As Gamble said, "These are some busy, in-demand actors."
Still, everyone loves a surprise return of a past character. In fact, given her newfound popularity in some of the biggest horror properties out there, it stands to reason that Ortega's return to the suspenseful world of "You" would be met with quite a bit of enthusiasm. Production better act fast, though — particularly if, per Badgley's prediction, Season 5 ends up being the last for "You."
