Homelander’s humanity was briefly shown during his defense of Ryan from Soldier Boy at the end of Season 3 of The Boys. Antony Starr previews a fascinating Season 4 in which his character struggles with parenting.

The Boys’ upcoming season promises to extend the globe with new superheroes and a guaranteed Generation V crossover. It also mocks a ruthless Homelander for bringing his ranks in line while completely embracing his public character. What makes Homelander sympathetic are his personal (and very human) difficulties; nonetheless, the show demonstrates how absolute power in the hands of a sociopath is a disaster waiting to happen. Fans hoped Homelander’s compassion would shine through as his relationship with his son Ryan progressed, but actor Antony Starr thinks that’s too much to ask of his character. In an interview with Screen Rant, he stated that Homelander’s goals for raising Ryan are as selfish as ever.

“How is Homelander treating fatherhood?” Starr mused. “I think it’s an interesting thing. I just not long ago realized how selfish he is about the whole thing. I’ve always sort of looked at it as a desperate need for connection and all that.” Season 3 did see Homelander begging for validation from his father Soldier Boy in the climactic episode. Homelander also demonstrated he’s very protective (to an extent) over his son Ryan, but Starr said this is hardly better than his treatment of anyone from The Seven. “This season, if you look at it through one lens, it’s very selfishly about legacy and what he wants his son to be,” he added. “And it’s a very controlling way; his parenting is quite controlling as much.”

Homelander Inept As A Father Figure

Starr confirmed that Homelander deep down cares for Ryan, but the supe’s internal conflict prevents him from being a capable father. “There is a very genuine love there, but it’s really mashed up with some horrific parenting choices,” he said. “Father of the year, he is never going to be, but it is interesting to watch, and it’s really good.” The actor says Season 4 thickens the plot as Ryan sees Butcher more of a father figure. “What it does that is really interesting is it really puts Ryan into an interesting position where he reaches out to Butcher, and there’s a lot of jeopardy around that,” he asserted. “There’s a lot of jeopardy for him around that, so it’s an interesting season.”

The Boys Season 4 teases bigger stakes with a new bioweapon threatening to eliminate all supes (as demonstrated in the lead-up to Gen V‘s season finale). The show is expected to deepen its mainline characters’ arcs even as new characters join the fold through Gen V and the upcoming The Boys: Mexico spinoff.