The Boys' Antony Starr Answers The Internet's Best Questions

Antony Starr offers a deep dive into Homelander’s psychology, arguing that his humanity is his "kryptonite" and that he remains an inverted Superman—a tragic, brainwashed figure who craves love but hates his own human weakness, making redemption impossible. He teases that Homelander’s worst act is still coming in season five, while citing the season-one plane massacre as a standout atrocity. Starr also shares behind-the-scenes insights, from his intense character preparation to playing the absurd milk and breast-milk scenes as deliberate opposites, and praises Chace Crawford’s improvisational humor as The Deep. He defends his portrayal as a layered villain rather than a one-dimensional monster, insisting Homelander is clearly the story’s true serial killer, while Butcher’s heart is in the right place. Ultimately, Starr sums up the tragedy: Homelander is torn between destroying everything and needing adoration, so he will never truly get what he wants.

• ▶ 0:53 Starr says the worst thing Homelander has done is still coming in season 5, but so far highlights the plane murders in season 1—including lasering a plane in half after waving to a child—and jokingly defends pushing Ryan off a roof as "good parenting" since Ryan could survive.

• ▶ 2:04 Starr admits he still struggles with a fear of heights, describing panicking during a bumpy flight and being hoisted 85 feet up on wires for Gen V before "freaking out."

• ▶ 3:26 Starr believes there is humanity left in Homelander, calling it his "kryptonite"—he is an "inverted Superman" who can't escape that he's still a man underneath, and rates him "50/50 human and rabbit animal" with no redemption arc.

• ▶ 4:15 Antony Starr doubts any ending can satisfy everyone, and notes Eric’s advice: “Don’t get attached to any characters on this show, cuz everyone’s head is potentially on the block.”
• ▶ 5:06 Starr explains Homelander thinks he’s a hero because he was brainwashed from a young age; bad people don’t see themselves as bad, they just do what they learned to survive.
• ▶ 7:17 On the villain-drinks-milk trope, Starr says it’s about opposites: pairing the worst kinds of people with a childish, wholesome drink creates “a good mix of opposites.”
• ▶ 7:46 Starr credits his expressive face to intense prep work as a "nerd" who internalizes every line and meaning, then throws the plan away to stay spontaneous, summarized as "If you're thinking as the character, the face does the rest."
• ▶ 9:32 He and the actress intentionally played the absurd Firecracker breast-milk scene "like a love scene," making it delicate and almost romantic despite being "the most ridiculous thing that we’ve shot in the show."
• ▶ 10:04 On why crime still exists in a world of superheroes, Starr jokes that without it "we wouldn't have much of a show," then adds that crime is simply human nature—wherever you put people, there will always be light and shade.
• ▶ 10:36 Starr picks the Soldier Boy and Butcher vs. Homelander fight as his favorite, crediting stunt coordinator John Koyama and highlighting the comedic beat where Homelander is shocked Butcher now has powers.
• ▶ 13:02 Starr praises Chace Crawford's performance as The Deep, saying he didn't expect him to be so funny and that Crawford constantly goes off-script, making him hysterical in scenes.
• ▶ 14:25 On the Butcher vs. Homelander villain debate, Starr insists Homelander is clearly the bad guy—"he is a serial killer"—while acknowledging Butcher isn't great but has his heart in the right place.
• ▶ 14:56 Starr explains the goal was never to make Homelander a "mustache-twirling" one-dimensional villain, but to dig into his backstory and the reasons he became who he is.
• ▶ 16:42 Homelander has no single ideal fantasy world because he is torn between wanting to destroy everything and craving love and adoration.
• ▶ 16:49 Starr sums up Homelander's tragedy: "His humanity is his kryptonite"—he needs people but hates the humanity in himself, so he will never get what he wants.

• ▶ 0:00 Homelander’s Psychology and Humanity (0:00 - 4:04) - - Anthony Starr covers Homelander memes, his worst acts, fear-of-heights logic, and whether any humanity remains.
• ▶ 4:04 Endings, Heroism, and Iconic Moments (4:04 - 7:46) - - Starr discusses The Boys’ ending, Homelander’s hero mindset, his favorite Stormfront scene, and iconic villain-milk lore.
• ▶ 7:42 Acting Nuances, Diabolical Scenes, and World Logic (7:42 - 10:21) - - Starr talks facial nuance, the Firecracker breast-milk shock, a misty on-set moment, and why crime still exists in this universe.
• ▶ 10:21 Fights, Casting, and Butcher vs. Homelander (10:21 - 14:43) - - Starr weighs in on favorite fight scenes, most hated characters, casting chemistry, Homelander not killing The Boys, and Butcher as the real villain.
• ▶ 14:43 Homelander’s Legacy and Outro (14:43 - 17:14) - - Starr reflects on what makes Homelander a great villain, his fantasy world, and closes the interview.