The Boys Showrunner Has a Blunt Message For Those Complaining the Series is ‘Woke’

Summary

• The Boys
  creator Kripke embraces “woke” criticism, unapologetically tackles real-world issues in the upcoming bloody and chaotic fourth season.
• Politics will feature prominently in Season 4, drawing comparisons between Homelander and a certain former U.S. president.
• The Boys
  Season 4 premiere set for June 13 hints at a political showdown between Homelander and Billy Butcher, promising more audacious storytelling.

The Boys creator Eric Kripke has some simple advice for anyone who accuses the comic book series of being “woke” for addressing real world social and political issues. As the series prepares to unleash its fourth season, which promises to be even more bloody, chaotic, and downright offensive than anything that has previously been seen, Kripke directly addressed the comments made calling out the show on social media.

The Boys is one of Prime Video’s biggest shows, and Season 4 promises to be bigger still. With the revelations of spin-off series Gen V in play, the world of Supes is not as safe as it used to be, although how things will play out is something that has been kept relatively secret as the premiere approaches. Fans have been teases with a political showdown between Homelander and Billy Butcher, and that partly leans into Kripke’s recent response to audience’s opinions on the parallels between the show and the current state of U.S. politics. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Kripke said:

“I clearly have a perspective, and I’m not shy about putting that perspective in the show. Anyone who wants to call the show ‘woke’ or whatever, that’s OK. Go watch something else. But I’m certainly not going to pull any punches or apologize for what we’re doing. Some people who watch it think Homelander is the hero. What do you say to that? The show’s many things. Subtle isn’t one of them. So if that’s the message you’re getting from it, I just throw up my hands.”

Politics Will Play a Big Part of The Boys Season 4

The world of The Boys has always had a running thread of reality coursing through its bloody veins, and that has never been truer than when dealing with the abuse of power by certain individuals. Throughout the series, Homelander – played deliciously by Antony Starr – has been at the forefront of this kind of abuse, leading some to make comparisons between the fictional leader of The Seven, and a certain former U.S. president who is currently awaiting sentencing following his hush money trial convictions.

The comparisons between Homelander and Donald Trump have been emphasized by parodies of the businessman and potential presidential candidate’s campaign slogans and stunts being used in marketing material for the show on social media. Additionally, Starr has previously talked about how he has used not only Trump but fellow former president Barack Obama as his inspirations for Homelander. However, when the character finds himself on trial for the murder of a Starlight supporter, there is very little to hide where the inspiration for that particular storyline came from.

The Boys Season 4 premieres on June 13 on Prime Video, and has already been renewed for a fifth season. Kripe recently suggested that The Boys could possibly continue beyond his original five-season plan, something that is not that hard to believe. Previous seasons of The Boys, and spin-off shows Diabolique and Gen V, are all available to stream on Prime Video.