The wild ride of ‘The Boys’ has officially come to an end. After almost five seasons of dark satire and outrageous twists, the hit show aired its final episode this week. Fans have been roped in for an emotional rollercoaster ride, and the actors say the ride was just as intense for them. No spoilers here, but fair warning: everyone’s favorite character didn’t make it to the finish line.In an interview with Spectrum News, the cast opened up about the emotional aftermath, thanked fans for their support, and shared what other characters they would like to play if they were to start the journey of “The Boys” again. Some also talked about how working on the show helped build lasting friendships, and one cast member revealed what she would or wouldn’t say to herself if she went back to the beginning.“It’s crazy,” Antony StarrThe person who plays Homelander said about the last season. “I think it’s a really great end to a show that we’ve all loved being a part of.”
A message to the fans who stuck around
When asked what they would say to the audience who have been there since the beginning, Nathan MitchellThe creator of Black Noir simply said:“I just wanted to say thank you for being on this crazy journey with us. You know, making the show is only half of the process. The other half is when you all watch it. And it’s so rewarding and rewarding and satisfying to hear how the show has affected you, to see your memes, to see all the chatter online. So the show is not the same without you, thank you.”
If they could start over, would they make a different character?
The question elicited some playful and sensitive responses.Susan HeywardShe, who plays Sister Sage, admitted that she is completely drawn to another hero’s arc. “I really identify with Starlight’s disillusionment, realizing what Seven thought, what fame was, what it was to be a hero, and it kind of fueled some marketing, honestly. The journey of discovering his values and staying whole with them, I would love to play that kind of bow. That would be amazing.”Colby MinifieKnown for her role as the frenetic Ashley Barrett, she didn’t hesitate to stay true to her character. “Who would I play more? I mean, I think I’d love to spend a day doing what Deep does. But if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t play a different character. I love this girl. She’s really lost and she’s tried so hard and she’s suffered a lot and she’s made a lot of bad choices and she can’t identify with herself anymore, but do you really identify with her testing spirit.“Antony StarrThe actor behind Homelander had a more practical and quickly abandoned fantasy. “Kimiko, but that’s because I didn’t have to learn the lines. Then I was quickly informed that he had to learn a whole made-up sign language. I, oh, that’s a lot more work. Then I went to Noir, the original Noir, before Nathan recast himself. And then he started talking…”Laz AlonsoPortraying Mother’s Milk, she didn’t have to think twice. “No. I love MM. I love everything he’s brought to the team and his entire hero’s journey and arc built for him. In all honesty and integrity, there is no other character that I think I could have served the way I did.”Jensen AcklesThe one who stepped into Soldier Boy’s boots, had a deep respect for the entire team. “Everybody played their role beautifully and with the utmost skill. I think of the characters that I really, really love, and they’re usually on the Boys side, from MM to Hughie to Frenchie…my God, what Tomer did with it is amazing. So I wouldn’t want to play any other role because I wouldn’t think of filling the shoes that those guys have built.“
Looking back: what would you say to your younger self?
Erin MoriartyThe person who brought Starlight to the screen offered a thoughtful, almost poetic response. “I don’t like the concept of telling myself a lot of things that will happen in the future, especially when it’s a special experience. I just want to live it as it happens. I would say: you hear these kinds of things and you take them, but embodying them is another thing.” On a daily basis, when you’re around the people you work with, no matter what’s going on, no matter how long the day is, look around and take it all in. Take gratitude. In fact, it was this group of people that made the show the special experience it was, professionally and personally. Maybe once a day, take two seconds to look around you and really take it all in. That’s it. I wouldn’t want to prepare in my head or predict anything, because the magic of the show and the whole experience of how it happened was not knowing how magical everything was going to be.”Karen FukuharaThe person who plays Kimiko echoed that sentiment warmly. “I think it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to have a friendship like that, and we’ve really grown to be kind of like a family. I can already imagine looking back, I’m already looking back, to be honest, but even more so as I get older. This was really the best, and I’ll look back and be grateful for everything the show has given me.”
The most amazing thing about the trip
Karl UrbanThe man behind Billy Butcher pondered five seasons of mayhem, violence and dark humor, but what caught him by surprise wasn’t on the script pages.“It’s kind of surprising, but how close we’ve all gotten over the last nine years of knowing each other. We’ve all leaned on each other at various times and moments. I think the depth of that connection surpasses any other experience I’ve had as an actor on many other shows. It’s probably knowing that this personal experience will come out. We’re going to be in each other’s lives going forward.“As ‘The Boys’ takes its last respects, the cast leaves behind not only the show that redefined the superhero genre, but a family born in chaos. And for the fans who saw it all unfold? They too will always be part of the journey.
