Warning: spoilers for "You" season 3. (opens in new tab) In the world of "You," it's quite easy to be a victim. But Being a Survivor" It is a rare group that, even in its third season, consists of just one name: Marienne. In the new season, despite being the object of Joe Goldberg's (Penn Badgley) single-minded obsession, Marienne, played by Tati Gabriel (open in new tab) on the Netflix hit show, becomes, literally and romantically speaking, an escape.

Here, the actress, who infuses her character with relatable depravity and quiet inner strength, discusses her character's arc, what may lie ahead for Marienne in the upcoming season, and why Joe should watch his back in France.

Marie Claire: How did you land this role?

Tati Gabriel: Last September or October, I was in Spain filming another project. I was going to take a month off after that shoot. But my agent said, "I want you to be in Greg Berlanti's project." What is it? They wouldn't tell me, so I said no. Two weeks later, my agent came to me again and said, "They still really want you. They just want you to do a chemistry reading with Penn Badgley. Then I knew what it was all about. After hearing more about the character's story and arc from Sera (Gamble, co-creator and co-executive producer) and Silver Tree (director), I was completely drawn in.

MC: Were all the twists and turns drawn?

TG: To a certain extent, I wanted to know (what would happen) as the episode progressed. But (Sera) did say that Marienne would be Joe's obsession this season. I knew about the story with (her ex-husband) Ryan, but I still didn't know how he was going to die.

MC: What do you think was the most shocking development?

TG: Love's death was very shocking. Just like when I bumped into Love's death. I thought, "What is happening? Especially when (she) hurt Theo (Dylan Arnold (open in new tab)). In that scene, I thought, 'No, not that boy. He's so innocent.

MC: Speaking of Love (Victoria Pedretti), let's unpack that scene between you and her, when she threatens Marienne and tells her the truth about Joe. How did you find common ground in that scene to connect with her character despite the threat?

TG: When I first read that scene, I loved the idea of two women having a conversation over something so subtle that can elevate and save each other. Marienne is sympathetic to Love's position. I don't think Marienne wanted anyone to get hurt in this process. [Throughout the conversation] she sees Love's fear, pain, and what almost reads as Stockholm Syndrome. Everything else goes out the window and she says, "You deserve better. You deserve to give the love you are looking for".

The message is that we women should be strong, with or without men. And after all, we cannot love others properly until we love ourselves. I feel like that's what Marienne was trying to emphasize and remind not only to Rav, but even to herself.

MC: Do you think Marienne suspects Joe in her actions in the finale (open in new tab)? Or do you think she believes the story that Love committed suicide?

TG: I feel that as soon as Marienne left [Love and Joe's] house that night, she was gone. So on the one hand, you don't even know what happened after Marienne left (town). Everything that happened in "Madre Linda" (open in new tab) - Ryan's death, coupled with all the information Love gave her, has left Marienne with a desire and desperation to make a good life for herself.

But I have a feeling that if she had seen the news, she would have suspected it was Joe. Because Marienne is wise in most things. Even if she had been skeptical of the information Love gave her, it would have been a little too close for comfort after what happened.

MC: Have you signed up for the fourth season, ask Netflix, and if so, how many people have signed up?

MC: If your character were to appear in a future season, where would you like to see him or her?

TG: I think she would be in France, like I told Jo at the library. I want her to find the peace she was looking for, to be able to do art and let her children have the most free and wonderful life. I have a feeling she would be an art teacher or a commissioned artist. If she comes back, I secretly hope that she will be a foil for Joe.

MC: Do you think Marianne still has feelings for Joe?

TG: I think her feelings were genuine. She is attracted to toxic situations and toxic men, but that doesn't negate the feelings she has. Despite what Love told her, I don't think it is that easy to fall in love with someone. I think she still holds on to those feelings even after she left Madre Linda.

MC: If they meet again in the fourth season, is it possible that Marienne will go back to Joe and fall into that pattern again?

TG: I don't think she will go back. I think at that point she will have the confidence, self-esteem, and foresight to do so. She says, "I love you. I wish things could have turned out differently. But you are a psychopath and you are not good for me, for my children, and for this world."

MC: Do you think it's possible that Marienne could fall victim to the death of her ex, Ryan, in Season 4?

TG: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about that. What if Joe basically betrayed her and framed Marienne? If Marienne starts threatening him, it would be interesting to see Joe try to flip it to protect himself. But at the same time, if Joe's feelings for Marienne are genuine, I have a feeling that would never happen and he would still continue to protect her. He would lock her in a cage, but he would continue to protect her.

MC: A big part of Marienne's arc is to shed light on how black women are not protected in society and how the legal system is failing them. How much of that was incorporated into the script?

TG: It was already in the script. But what I asked [the showrunners] was, "Is this something you guys really respect and give place to?" They said absolutely. That was a big part of why I wanted to take on this role. I felt that there were a lot of issues that Marienne was addressing that needed to be addressed, especially in this day and age.

And I was very grateful that Sera was always open to those conversations during the shoot. [Even if there was something in the script that didn't feel right, or something that I, as a black woman, didn't think I would do or say, she was always open to talking about it. And the pen. On set, "Does this feel right to you?" She asked. In that sense, the girls were very progressive and very rewarding.

MC: Can you recall any scenes or lines where you had those conversations?

TG: In the "Missing White Woman Syndrome" episode, Marienne says in her monologue, "The world has gone crazy and the rest of us have to fend for ourselves. " I think it was originally "the rest of them have to fend for themselves." It was a small change, but I felt it was very important and appropriate to maintain solidarity within the community.

MC: Is there anything you brought in to make her a more well-rounded person?

TG: I wanted to enrich the character in that she is a drug addict and a mother fighting for her child. [I wanted to make the trauma and damage actually visible through her ticks.

There is a locket that she wears, you don't see it open, but I asked her to put a picture of Juliette in it. You can see Marienne fiddling with the necklace like an anxious tick in a particularly exuberant scene where she is anxious about her child, anxious about her other children, being questioned and questioned about being a mother.

MC: Was Marienne modeled after anyone in particular?

TG: Zoe Kravitz and Lisa Bonet. It doesn't necessarily have to be them, but their vibe in Marienne's body language. Bohemian-ish.

MC: Did you read the book before accepting the role?

TG: I did not read it beforehand. [The creators of the show] gave me the latest book that Caroline [Kepnes] put out with Marienne in it. So I'm going to read it.

MC: What is your next dream role?

TG: I think it would be super fun to play a psychopath. I would love to do that someday. I also wanted to play a schizophrenic or a makeshift addict. You know, someone whose mind is completely altered, or someone who is completely detached from reality. That would be a really fun acting challenge.

This interview has been edited and abridged for clarity.