From Joe Goldberg To Dad Of Three: 5 Surprising Facts About Penn Badgley’s Growing Family And His Identical Twin Boys

Penn Badgley, the actor famous for portraying complex, obsessive characters like Joe Goldberg in Netflix's You and Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl, has built a remarkably private and wholesome family life off-screen. As of late 2025, his personal world has expanded significantly with the recent addition of identical twin sons, a joyous and surprising development that has shifted the dynamic of his household with wife Domino Kirke. This deep dive explores the current, up-to-date facts about the Badgley-Kirke clan, from the new babies to his role as a dedicated step-parent, and reveals why he’s keeping his oldest son’s name a secret.

The latest update, announced earlier in 2025, confirmed that the couple had welcomed the twin boys, making the You star a biological father of three and a stepfather to one. This article cuts through the online rumors to deliver the most current information on Penn Badgley’s children, his unique parenting philosophy, and the surprising clarity he offered about his four-year-old son’s actual name.

Penn Badgley: A Quick Biography and Family Profile

Before diving into the details of his growing family, here is a complete profile of the actor whose private life is often a stark contrast to his on-screen roles:

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• Full Name: Penn Dayton Badgley
• Date of Birth: November 1, 1986
• Age (2025): 38
• Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
• Spouse: Domino Kirke (married February 27, 2017)
• Wife's Profession: Doula, musician, and entrepreneur. Domino is the sister of actresses Jemima and Lola Kirke.
• Notable Roles: Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl (2007–2012), Joe Goldberg in You (2018–2025), Jeff Buckley in Greetings from Tim Buckley (2012).
• Music Career: Lead singer of the band MOTHXR.
• Podcast: Co-host of the popular podcast "Podcrushed."
• Children: One biological son (born August 2020), and newly welcomed identical twin sons (born 2025).
• Step-Children: One stepson, Cassius Riley (born 2009), from Domino Kirke's previous relationship with musician Morgan O'Kane.

Fact 1: The Surprise Arrival of Identical Twin Sons in 2025

The biggest news in the Badgley-Kirke household is the recent birth of their identical twin boys, who arrived in 2025. This major update was initially announced by the couple earlier in the year, surprising many fans and media outlets.

The arrival of the twins marks a huge milestone for the family, instantly doubling the number of young children in the home. Penn and Domino have been open about their journey to parenthood, which included the heartbreak of successive miscarriages before the birth of their first son. The spontaneous conception of identical twins, which is rare, was a particularly joyful and unexpected development for the couple.

While the couple shared the news of the twins' gender—two boys—they have, in keeping with their commitment to privacy, not yet revealed the names of the new additions. This decision aligns with their overall philosophy of protecting their children's right to a normal, private childhood, away from the intense public scrutiny that follows a major television star.

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Fact 2: Penn’s Four-Year-Old Son’s Name is NOT James—And It’s a Secret

For years, a piece of misinformation circulated online, particularly on Wikipedia, claiming that Penn and Domino's first biological son, born in August 2020, was named James. Penn Badgley recently took the opportunity to set the record straight, confirming that the name “James” is incorrect.

During a recent podcast appearance, the actor clarified that he and Domino have deliberately chosen not to disclose their four-year-old son's actual name. He explained that, as the child is still young, they want to give him the opportunity to grow up and decide for himself how much of his life he wants to share with the public. This commitment to his children's autonomy is a core tenet of the family's approach to parenting.

The first son's birth was a profound experience for Badgley, who has spoken about how becoming a father during the pandemic was a unique and isolated experience that forced him to confront his own past and priorities. He has often shared his belief in a play-based learning approach, advocating for a childhood free from the intense pressures of modern, over-scheduled life.

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Fact 3: The Complex and Rewarding Role of Stepdad to Cassius Riley

Long before the arrival of his biological children, Penn Badgley became a stepfather to Domino Kirke’s son, Cassius Riley, who was born in 2009. Cassius, who is now a teenager, is an integral part of the family, and Penn has openly discussed the unique and nuanced relationship of being a stepdad.

Penn has noted that the role of a step-parent is "very different" from that of a biological father. He explained that a step-parent must respect the established relationship Cassius has with his biological father, musician Morgan O'Kane, and navigate a distinct set of boundaries and responsibilities. He finds the experience of having both a teenage stepson and two young biological sons, plus the new twins, to be a constant lesson in different forms of parental love and support.

This blended family dynamic, which includes three younger children and a teenager, highlights the depth of Penn and Domino's commitment to creating a supportive and loving environment for all their children. Domino Kirke, a professional doula, often shares insights into her family life and motherhood on her social media, giving fans rare, authentic glimpses into the chaos and joy of a large, blended family.

Fact 4: His Parenting Philosophy is a Direct Contrast to His On-Screen Characters

The characters Penn Badgley is most famous for—the secretly sinister Joe Goldberg and the judgmental "Lonely Boy" Dan Humphrey—are known for their obsessive, controlling, and manipulative tendencies. In stark contrast, Penn’s real-life parenting philosophy is centered on privacy, freedom, and emotional openness.

Key aspects of his approach include:

• Privacy Over Publicity: Badgley is fiercely protective of his children’s identities, which is why he has not revealed their names or faces. He wants them to have the choice to enter the public eye when they are adults.
• Focus on Play and Development: He has advocated for a less structured, "play-based learning" environment for his children, rejecting the pressure for early academic achievement.
• Spiritual Foundation: Both Penn and Domino are members of the Baháʼí Faith, a religion that emphasizes the unity of humanity and spiritual education, which heavily influences their family values and approach to raising their children.

This commitment to a grounded, emotionally healthy family life underscores the difference between the actor and the roles he plays, offering a refreshing perspective on celebrity parenthood.

Fact 5: The Challenge of Balancing a Large Family with the Final Season of ‘You’

The arrival of the identical twin boys in 2025 coincides with a pivotal and demanding time in Penn Badgley’s professional life: the production and release of the final season of his hit Netflix series, You.

As the star and a producer on the show, the demands of filming the highly anticipated conclusion to Joe Goldberg’s story are immense. Balancing the long hours, travel, and emotional toll of playing a serial killer with the immediate, round-the-clock needs of three young children and a teenager presents a unique challenge.

It is likely that Domino Kirke’s background as a doula, offering support and guidance to new mothers, has been invaluable in managing the complexities of welcoming twins while simultaneously caring for a four-year-old and a teenager. The family's strong support system and commitment to their shared values will be key as Penn navigates the conclusion of his most famous role and the beginning of his new life as a father of three.