Antony Starr Explains Why Homelander Isn't Trump

Antony Starr does not support the idea of comparing his character, Homelander, from The Boys to Donald Trump, despite season 4 including MAGA-inspired imagery and a coup similar to the January 6 events. He finds these comparisons to be "low-hanging fruit" and stresses that he did not intend to be part of such discussions. Starr's goal was always to portray Homelander as a complex character, not a typical villain.

Starr dislikes the term "psychopath", which he feels oversimplifies the character. He wanted to avoid making Homelander a one-dimensional antagonist and instead sought to build a more nuanced, humanized version. He believes the character should reflect the multitudes that make up a person.

While Starr rejects the Trump comparison, Eric Kripke, the show’s creator, acknowledges that The Boys is a satirical mirror of current cultural and political events. He compares it to shows like Veep and The West Wing, recognizing that the show highlights modern issues in a similar way, even though it makes him nervous.

Starr, at 49, worked closely with Kripke to develop a more three-dimensional version of Homelander. This approach is evident in season 4, especially in episode 4, "Wisdom of the Ages," where Homelander returns to the Vought lab where he was raised. Initially meant to be purely cruel, the scene was altered to show more complex emotions, which Starr felt were essential to his character's development.

Kripke's vision for season 4 centers around characters confronting their core traumas, with the darkest moments revealing deeper introspection. This season takes the characters on a journey of self-exploration and emotional conflict, pushing them to wrestle with their pasts.

Fans of the show have had mixed reactions to Homelander. Some hate him, others enjoy hating him, and some even empathize with him. Starr finds this complexity intriguing, as it suggests the show is challenging viewers to look beyond simple good-versus-evil narratives.

As the series heads into season 5, which will conclude the show, Kripke and the writers are preparing for an intense final arc. With Homelander now in control of the country, the characters will face a fight to reclaim it. Kripke hints that the endgame will be thrilling and filled with high stakes as the show wraps up its story.