Antony Starr, who portrays Homelander, has expressed astonishment at how some fans of The Boys romanticize the supervillain, describing the phenomenon as "surreal."
Since its 2019 premiere, The Boys immediately became a Prime Video sensation, blending brutal action and dark humor into a sharp critique of modern superhero media. Adapted from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's graphic novel, the series tracks a group of vigilantes battling a corporate-controlled team of corrupted superheroes, led by the psychopathic Homelander - a twisted parody of Superman.
Homelander reigns over The Seven as a merciless tyrant, wielding his unmatched powers to bully subordinates and eliminate dissent. His absolute authority creates a climate of terror within the team, with no member daring to challenge his increasingly erratic behavior.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Starr revealed he's had to confront fans who idolize his character on social media platforms.
"We encountered fans who needed reminding - this character isn't someone to admire," Starr explained. "Their worshipful reactions were genuinely disturbing to witness."
The actor admitted his surprise at viewers justifying Homelander's atrocities, despite the character's escalating depravity throughout the series.
"What shocked me was the cognitive dissonance - people acknowledging his evil while still feeling sympathy for this monstrous figure."
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Starr's remarks align with showrunner Eric Kripke's previous comments before The Boys' fourth season. Kripke simultaneously addressed both Homelander's misguided fanbase and criticisms about the show's political themes.
"Viewers calling the show 'woke' are welcome to watch something else," Kripke stated bluntly. "I won't soften our message or apologize for our storytelling."
"If anyone interprets Homelander as heroic after everything we've shown, that says more about them than our writing. The show isn't exactly subtle in its messaging."
Regarding Homelander's political parallels, Kripke confirmed the character was deliberately crafted as an authoritarian analog to Donald Trump's political ascent during the 2016 election cycle.
"When we initially pitched the show, Trump was still considered a longshot candidate," Kripke recalled. "His subsequent victory transformed our narrative into an urgent examination of how celebrity culture enables authoritarianism."
"We found ourselves unintentionally documenting the weaponization of entertainment and social media for fascist propaganda. Once we recognized this dynamic, we committed to exploring it as thoroughly as possible."
The Boys will conclude with its upcoming fifth season, currently in development.
