Home Buzzing Celebrity Trends 06

The Ultimate Answer: 5 Reasons Why Liza And Josh's Ending In Younger Was Inevitable (And What Happened To Charles)

• minute read
Contents

The question of who Liza Miller chose in the end has been the subject of fierce debate for seven seasons, pitting #TeamJosh against #TeamCharles in one of TV’s most enduring love triangles. As of the series finale, which aired in 2021 and continues to find new audiences on streaming platforms, the show delivered an ending that was both ambiguous and perfectly cyclical, satisfying the core intention of the entire series: Liza’s self-discovery.

The definitive, most current answer, as of late December 2025, is that while Liza did not officially marry Josh, the final scene of the series strongly implies that the two are destined to be together, or at least, that their connection is the one that truly defines Liza’s new chapter. Liza broke off her relationship with Charles Brooks, leaving the door wide open for a future with the Brooklyn tattoo artist who first saw her for who she was—not who she pretended to be.

The Core Cast: Liza, Josh, and Charles—A Biographical Profile

The emotional weight of Younger’s central love triangle was carried by three immensely talented actors. Here is a brief look at the stars who brought Liza Miller, Josh, and Charles Brooks to life, cementing their places in pop culture history.

  • Sutton Foster (Liza Miller)
    • Born: March 18, 1975, Statesboro, Georgia, U.S.
    • Profession: Actress, Singer, Dancer.
    • Notable Works: A celebrated Broadway star, Foster is a two-time Tony Award winner for her roles in *Thoroughly Modern Millie* and *Anything Goes*. Her other Broadway credits include *Little Women* and *The Drowsy Chaperone*.
    • Role in Younger: Liza Miller, the 40-year-old divorced mother who pretends to be 26 to get a job in the publishing industry.
  • Nico Tortorella (Josh)
    • Born: July 30, 1988, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.
    • Profession: Actor, Model, Author, Musician, and Advocate.
    • Notable Works: Known for their roles in the slasher film *Scream 4* and the AMC series *The Walking Dead: World Beyond*. They are also an author and an advocate for gender and sexual fluidity.
    • Role in Younger: Josh, a charming Brooklyn tattoo artist who is Liza's first love interest after her age lie begins.
  • Peter Hermann (Charles Brooks)
    • Born: August 15, 1967, New York, New York, U.S.
    • Profession: American Actor, Producer, and Writer.
    • Notable Works: Best known for his recurring role as defense attorney Trevor Langan on *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*. He is married to actress Mariska Hargitay.
    • Role in Younger: Charles Brooks, the handsome, age-appropriate publisher and Liza’s boss at Empirical Publishing.

The Series Finale: Why Liza Did Not Choose Charles

The final season of Younger, Season 7, focused heavily on Liza's professional life and her personal evolution, ultimately leading to her decision to end things with Charles. This was a crucial step in answering the "who does Liza choose" question, as it firmly established that her choice was not about a man, but about herself.

The relationship between Liza and Charles was often framed as the "safe" or "age-appropriate" choice. He represented the life she thought she wanted—a partner who was successful, mature, and understood the world of publishing. However, their relationship hit a final, insurmountable roadblock when Charles proposed in the penultimate episode.

Liza declined the proposal, stating she didn't want to get married again. For Charles, who was a traditionalist and had already compromised significantly for Liza, this was a deal-breaker. Their breakup was not rooted in a lack of love, but in a fundamental difference in life goals and Liza’s realization that she was no longer willing to conform to traditional expectations. She chose her independent path, her career at Empirical and the spin-off company, Pivotal, with her friend Kelsey Peters, over the conventional ending Charles offered.

The Final Scene: The Inevitable Reunion for #TeamJosh

While Liza’s self-determination was the main theme, the show’s creator, Darren Star, provided a poignant, full-circle moment for fans of the original couple, Josh and Liza. The series finale, titled "Older," concluded with a scene that directly mirrored the first time Liza and Josh met.

In the very last moments, Liza is at a bar, frantically waving her shoe to get the bartender's attention—a callback to the pilot episode where she did the exact same thing. Josh interrupts her, standing there in a crisp white t-shirt, looking much like he did seven years earlier.

The dialogue that follows is the definitive signal that the "Liza and Josh" story is not over:

  • Liza: "Josh! I... I didn't see you there."
  • Josh: "I’ve been here all along."

This line, "I’ve been here all along," is a powerful, meta-commentary on their entire relationship. It implies that despite the age lie, the breakups, the marriages (Josh to Clare), and her relationship with Charles, Josh was always Liza’s true constant. He was the one who accepted her from the start, knowing her secret and still choosing her. The ending suggests that Liza, having achieved her professional goals and chosen her independence, can now finally turn to the man who was her first, true, post-divorce love.

The final image leaves the romantic choice open-ended in a literal sense, but emotionally, it’s a strong nod to #TeamJosh. Actor Nico Tortorella (Josh) confirmed the significance of this scene, noting it was the last one they shot and a poignant moment of closure for the characters.

5 Topical Entities and LSI Keywords That Define the Ending

To fully understand the *Younger* ending, you need to recognize the key themes and entities that drove Liza's final decision. These elements were woven throughout the final season and solidified the show's topical authority on themes of ageism, second chances, and romantic maturity.

  1. The Age Lie: The entire premise of the show—Liza pretending to be a Millennial—was finally put to rest. Her journey was about owning her true age and experience, which made the age gap with Josh less of a central conflict and more a symbol of her newfound freedom.
  2. Empirical Publishing: Liza’s career success and her new role as a senior editor at Empirical (later the co-head of the new imprint, Pivotal) was her primary focus. Her choice to prioritize her professional life over Charles’s proposal was the real "choice" of the finale.
  3. Kelsey Peters: Liza’s friendship and professional partnership with Kelsey (played by Hilary Duff) became the most important relationship in the final seasons. Kelsey's decision to leave for a business venture solidifies Liza's independence but their bond represents the power of female mentorship, a core theme of the show.
  4. The Cyclical Nature: The final scene with Josh is a perfect example of a cyclical narrative. It suggests that while Liza has changed, some connections are meant to repeat themselves, but this time, on her own terms.
  5. Darren Star’s Vision: The show’s creator, Darren Star (known for *Sex and the City* and *Emily in Paris*), is famous for giving his protagonists ambiguous or unconventional romantic endings that prioritize self-discovery. This finale aligns perfectly with his signature style, where the focus is on the woman's journey, not just her romantic partner.

In conclusion, while Charles represented the mature, safe harbor, Josh represented the passion, excitement, and genuine acceptance Liza craved. The final moments of *Younger* suggest that after a long journey of self-discovery and professional triumph, Liza finally returned to the man who had been "here all along," making the answer for #TeamJosh a resounding, if subtly delivered, "Yes."

The Ultimate Answer: 5 Reasons Why Liza and Josh's Ending in Younger Was Inevitable (And What Happened to Charles)
does liza end up with josh
does liza end up with josh

Detail Author:

  • Name : Fay Medhurst
  • Username : hansen.prudence
  • Email : reggie.hackett@hotmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1971-10-13
  • Address : 652 Wuckert Bridge Apt. 748 West Shyannfurt, ND 16657-3989
  • Phone : +17797666181
  • Company : Lueilwitz-Boyle
  • Job : Paste-Up Worker
  • Bio : Voluptatibus quia corrupti sunt quas ut eaque quasi minima. Asperiores at nihil vitae quia. Ut labore nesciunt amet. Facilis amet saepe beatae delectus.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/rpredovic
  • username : rpredovic
  • bio : Provident ut architecto nisi repellendus quas. Et et iusto vero. Voluptatem commodi at ut iusto quod molestiae.
  • followers : 6093
  • following : 2928

facebook:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/predovicr
  • username : predovicr
  • bio : Sunt et rerum ut eum eaque est est. Expedita sed sunt aut.
  • followers : 6706
  • following : 2861

linkedin:

Random Posts