The series is based on the 2014 novel by Caroline Kepnes . Much of Joe's narration is lifted directly from the book's first-person perspective.

The pilot episode of (S01E01), titled "Pilot," serves as a chilling "horror meet-cute" that subverts traditional romantic comedy tropes. It introduces Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager whose infatuation with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck quickly escalates into a dangerous obsession. 🕵️ The Stalker's Playbook

Joe stages a rescue after Beck falls onto the subway tracks while intoxicated, a dramatic scene added for the TV adaptation to heighten the tension.

The pilot originally premiered on Lifetime in September 2018 before the series was acquired and popularized by Netflix .

Casting Penn Badgley was a meta-choice; he previously played Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl , a character also revealed to be an "omniscient" stalker figure.

If you would like to explore more, I can provide a breakdown of , details on the original book's differences , or a summary of how Joe's crimes catch up to him later in the season. You Episode 1 Review: Pilot | Den of Geek