Antony Starr has officially closed the book on Homelander after filming wrapped on The Boys Season 5, the show’s final season. While the actor bid an emotional farewell to the role he played across all five seasons, the story itself sees Homelander’s reign come to a brutal end — and the broader franchise already positioning a successor.
In the Season 5 finale, Homelander is depowered by Kimiko before Billy Butcher finishes him off in the Oval Office. The death marks the end of one of television’s most iconic villains, but it also clears the path for new figures to step into similar territory within the The Boys universe.
Antony Starr Says Goodbye to Homelander
After production on the final season concluded, Antony Starr shared a heartfelt Instagram post reflecting on his time as Homelander. He called the experience the “highlight” of his career and thanked showrunner Eric Kripke for helping create “a monster.” Starr noted that the complex character gave him rare creative freedom, but he acknowledged that this chapter has now closed. His message came shortly after Kripke confirmed that Season 5 would wrap up the main series. Details of his farewell post were covered by Collider.
The post resonated with fans who have followed Homelander’s descent from charismatic leader to unhinged tyrant across the show’s run. While Starr won’t return as the character, his performance has left a lasting mark on the franchise.
Homelander’s Story Ends — But the Franchise Moves On
In the narrative, Homelander’s death doesn’t leave a vacuum for long. Season 5 spends significant time developing Jensen Ackles’ Soldier Boy as a major presence. The character receives more screen time than in previous seasons and is shown as a more grounded, if still dangerous, alternative to Homelander’s instability. Amazon has already confirmed that Soldier Boy will headline the upcoming prequel series Vought Rising, set in the 1950s and focusing on his relationship with Stormfront. This positions Soldier Boy as the new face of the franchise once Homelander is gone. The shift has led many to view him as Homelander’s narrative and franchise replacement, as reported by MovieWeb.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/the-boys-2-0d6506ff46e84d9f8fee784e30578a5f.jpg)
Ryan as the “Second Homelander”
Another layer of replacement comes through Homelander’s son, Ryan. In Season 5, Ryan plays a pivotal role in his father’s downfall, echoing comic book elements where a “clone” or second version of Homelander ultimately contributes to his demise. Ryan’s powers and appearance make him a literal stand-in in key moments, and his survival into the post-Homelander era suggests he could carry forward similar themes of power and legacy. This dynamic was explored in depth by Screen Rant.
While Ryan doesn’t become a direct villain like his father, his presence in the finale alongside Butcher creates a “two Homelanders” dynamic that mirrors comic book storylines. Some fans have even theorized that Ryan could evolve into a new central figure in future The Boys projects, as discussed on ComicBook.com.
What This Means for the Franchise
With The Boys concluding and Gen V canceled, the universe is shifting focus. Soldier Boy’s prominence in Season 5 and his starring role in Vought Rising indicate that the franchise is consciously moving away from Homelander-centric storytelling. The prequel will explore the origins of Vought’s Supes through Soldier Boy’s eyes, offering a fresh perspective while still tying back to the themes of power and corruption that defined Homelander’s arc. Eric Kripke has hinted at more stories in the world, but they appear to be moving beyond Antony Starr’s character. Homelander’s death serves as both a satisfying conclusion for the main series and a deliberate handoff to new leads. Full details of the season’s conclusion were explained by Radio Times.
Fan Reactions and Legacy
Fans have reacted with a mix of satisfaction and nostalgia to Homelander’s exit. Many appreciated the poetic justice of Butcher delivering the final blow, while others noted how Soldier Boy’s expanded role helped soften the transition. Antony Starr’s farewell post has been widely shared, with viewers praising both the actor’s dedication and the unforgettable villain he created. Kripke himself discussed the decision behind Homelander’s fate in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
As the dust settles on Season 5, it’s clear that while Antony Starr’s Homelander is gone, the character’s influence will linger through the new stories and figures stepping into similar territory — starting with Soldier Boy. The full cast and major plot points of the final season are also documented on Wikipedia.
“The final season of The Boys is now available to stream on Prime Video.”
