Antony Starr is bidding a poignant farewell to his iconic role as Homelander. The star of Amazon Prime Video's hit series "The Boys" has shared a heartfelt tribute marking the conclusion of filming for the fifth and final season. On Instagram, Starr confessed that he had "taken a moment to let the dust settle and attempt to process the end of this remarkable journey," adding that it is "incredibly challenging to articulate just how exhilarating this ride has been for me."
"This experience has undoubtedly been the pinnacle of my career," he penned. "When we embarked on this adventure, I was oblivious to what lay ahead. This unstoppable force left the station and never hesitated, save for those COVID interruptions and the strikes. But despite those brief pauses, it relentlessly carved its unique niche in the television landscape. There's nothing quite like it; it stands alone in its own category."
Starr continued, "I harbor a profound affection for this show and this character. It's genuine. I will sorely miss striding into work, knowing our objective but unsure where the day would take us... only anticipating the joy and immense creative fulfillment we'd find."
In "The Boys," Starr portrays Homelander, the notorious villain of the superhero ensemble the Seven. Having embodied the character across all five seasons (with the final season yet to air), the actor heaped praise on Homelander, stating, "This multifaceted character granted me the latitude and scope to explore and push boundaries beyond my wildest expectations, and I will forever be thankful for this enriching experience."
Towards the post's conclusion, Starr extended heartfelt gratitude to series creator Eric Kripke: "And an immense thank you to my creative collaborator on this twisted creation, @erickripke1. We conjured a monster, my friend. I will miss him, and I will miss you, until we unveil the final season. But this creative chapter has come to a close, and I will cherish the memories, brother."
Kripke recently announced the wrap-up of season five filming in early July with his own emotional Instagram post. He captured an image overlooking the legendary Seven meeting room where the superheroes convene, captioning, "We've been blessed with an exceptional cast, a brilliant crew, an exhilarating story to tell, and the most elusive element: perfect timing. You hope for two of these blessings in a lifetime, if you're fortunate. We've had them all."
When it was revealed that season five would be the superhero drama's swansong, Kripke told The Hollywood Reporter that he had always envisioned "wrapping it up around season five." Despite this, the show's success has spawned a multiverse of superhero content. "The Boys" expanded with the spinoff "Gen V" in 2023, focusing on a group of young superheroes attending a superhero-exclusive college, with season two premiering on Prime Video on September 17. Additionally, in July, the streamer greenlit a prequel series titled "Vought Rising," centering on superheroes Soldier Boy and Stormfront, portrayed by Jensen Ackles and Aya Cash, respectively.
Starr concluded his post with, "Lastly, an immense thank you to our fans. You are our lifeblood. Without you, this wouldn't be possible. Our fans are unparalleled. Mad love and deepest admiration for your impeccable taste. Alright, folks. We've cooked our last meal together. I can't wait to share what we've created. Until that day, Homelander, signing off. Xo."
