Antony Starr, known for playing the complicated and narcissistic Homelander in The Boys, recently shared some insights about his character’s journey in Season 4. In a conversation with IGN, he delved into the challenges Homelander faces, his emotional struggles, and the most bizarre scene he has ever filmed.
Homelander’s Emotional Struggles in Season 4
Homelander sees himself as a god, but he also feels like a pawn being used by others. This internal conflict is a big part of his journey in Season 4. Starr explained that Homelander is trying hard to get rid of his human feelings while still desperately wanting to be loved.
“I think he thinks he really shifted the needle in terms of who he is and exorcising the demons, so to speak,” Starr said. This becomes clear in Episode 4, when Homelander goes after the scientists who raised him, believing he’s making progress.
Despite his efforts, Homelander’s true desires are complicated. He wants power but also craves love. This makes things hard for him as he realizes he isn’t fully in control.
Homelander’s Relationships with Sister Sage and Victoria Neuman
In this season, Homelander teams up with Susan Heyward’s character, Sister Sage. This shows a rare moment of him thinking strategically. However, when he finds out that her powers can be blocked by hits to the head, he starts to lose patience.
Starr mentioned, “When it comes to Sage, he is actually really very reliant on her.” But when she’s unable to help, Homelander scrambles to stay in control. A key moment happens in Tek Knight’s study, where Homelander almost loses his cool but is stopped by Victoria Neuman. “There’s just a moment where it could go either way,” Starr recalled.
Neuman’s intervention highlights Homelander’s reliance on others, which hurts his pride. Starr added that it’s tough for Homelander to accept that he nearly failed and Neuman had to step in.
The Realization of Being a Pawn
Homelander’s feeling of being a pawn becomes clear when Neuman saves the day, showing how little control he really has. Starr said, “There are little moments when he gets irked because there is that feeling of being a pawn or a chess piece being moved around the board by someone else’s hand.” Even with his immense power, Homelander realizes he’s being manipulated, a painful truth for someone so narcissistic.
Homelander tries to twist situations to protect his ego. Starr explained that Homelander likely convinced himself that Neuman saved the people from being slaughtered, making it seem like it wasn’t his fault.
The Strangest Scene Ever
Season 4 also features what Starr called the strangest scene he’s ever filmed. In it, Homelander is seen curled up against Firecracker’s (played by Valorie Curry) chest, drinking breast milk. Starr described this scene as hilarious and surreal. He recalled looking at Curry and saying, “What in God’s name are we doing? This is so absurd.”
This bizarre moment captures the show’s twisted nature and its ability to push boundaries. Starr laughed, saying they’ve gone from cow’s milk to human breast milk and hinted that the show’s creator, Eric Kripke, probably has more wild ideas for the next season.
Looking Ahead
As Homelander continues his journey in The Boys, fans can expect more twists, emotional struggles, and absurd moments. With a talented cast and creative team, the show promises to keep pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable scenes.