Antony Starr Shocked by Fans' Admiration for Homelander's Villainy

Antony Starr, who plays Homelander, expressed astonishment at fans' admiration for the supervillain, describing it as “unreal.”

Premiering in 2019, The Boys became a massive hit on Prime Video, blending graphic action with sharp humor to satirize modern superhero narratives. Adapted from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s comic, it follows a team of vigilantes battling a group of corrupt superheroes led by Homelander, a twisted take on Superman.

Homelander, a tyrannical leader, dominates The Seven with unmatched power, instilling fear in his team. His unchecked abilities allow him to act without restraint, with no one daring to challenge him.

In an Entertainment Weekly interview, Starr revealed he had to address fans on social media who praised Homelander.

“We gently pushed back on some fans online, reminding them, ‘This guy isn’t a hero in any story,’” Starr said. “Their admiration for him was unreal.”

Starr was surprised that some fans of The Boys empathized with Homelander, despite his heinous actions on the show.

“I never expected people to feel conflicted or even sympathize with this monster,” he noted.

The Boys Season 4 Gallery

Starr’s remarks align with comments from The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke, who last year addressed fans calling Homelander a hero and criticizing the show for being “woke” in recent seasons.

“If you think the show is ‘woke,’ that’s fine—watch something else. I won’t soften our stance or apologize for our message,” Kripke stated.

“Some viewers see Homelander as the hero. If that’s your takeaway, I’m at a loss,” he added.

When asked if Homelander’s authoritarian arc was meant to mirror U.S. President Donald Trump’s political rise, Kripke confirmed the character was crafted as a Trump allegory.

“In 2016, when Seth [Rogen], Evan [Goldberg], and I pitched the show, we aimed for a gritty take on superheroes as flawed celebrities. Trump was still the ‘he won’t actually win, right?’ candidate. His election gave us a powerful metaphor,” Kripke said.

“We began exploring the blend of celebrity, authoritarianism, and how social media fuels fascism. It felt like we were in the heart of that storm, and I felt compelled to lean into it fully,” he added.

The Boys will conclude with its fifth season, currently in production.