On August 12, 2025, Antony Starr, the New Zealand actor who brought the chillingly charismatic Homelander to life in Amazon’s The Boys, shared a heartfelt farewell message to his iconic character on Instagram, marking the end of his journey with the role as the series wrapped its fifth and final season. His words, dripping with emotion and gratitude, have resonated deeply with fans, sparking a wave of reactions across social media platforms like X, where users have hailed his performance as one of television’s most unforgettable. Starr’s message not only reflects on the profound impact of playing the volatile superhero but also underscores the personal and professional growth he experienced over the show’s six-year run.

Starr’s portrayal of Homelander, the narcissistic, all-powerful leader of The Seven, has been a cornerstone of The Boys since its debut in 2019. With his piercing blue eyes, unsettling smile, and a penchant for violence cloaked in patriotic fervor, Homelander became a cultural phenomenon, embodying the show’s critique of unchecked power and celebrity worship. Starr’s ability to balance the character’s menace with moments of vulnerability earned him critical acclaim, including nominations for Critics’ Choice and Saturn Awards. In his farewell, Starr described the role as “the most important stop of my career,” a testament to the creative freedom it offered him to explore the depths of a character who is both monstrous and tragically human.

In his message, Starr expressed gratitude for the crew, whom he called “incredible,” and reflected on the transformative nature of the role. “It’s hard to put into words what an incredible journey this has been,” he wrote. “This complex role has given me the space and freedom to explore myself and push boundaries in ways I never thought possible.” Fans on X echoed this sentiment, with posts praising Starr’s ability to make Homelander simultaneously terrifying and pitiable. One user wrote, “Antony Starr didn’t just play Homelander—he became him. That final scene in Season 4? Chills.” The complexity Starr references is evident in Homelander’s arc, from a god-like figure grappling with his need for love to a dictator-like tyrant in Season 5, which wrapped filming in Toronto last week.

The farewell also hinted at the emotional weight of parting with the character. “We created a monster,” Starr wrote, acknowledging Homelander’s descent into increasingly unhinged territory. “I will miss him very much.” This admission struck a chord with fans, who have followed Homelander’s evolution through shocking moments—like his milk obsession and the Season 3 laser-eye massacre—to quieter, introspective scenes that reveal his fractured psyche. Starr’s ability to navigate these extremes has been a masterclass in acting, with outlets like Variety calling his performance “a career-defining tour de force.” His message suggests that playing such a multifaceted villain allowed him to stretch his craft in ways few roles could.

As The Boys prepares to release its final season in 2026, Starr teased fans with a promise: “I can’t wait to show you what we’ve done.” Posts on X speculate wildly about Homelander’s fate, with some fans predicting a tragic downfall and others expecting a climactic showdown with Billy Butcher, played by Karl Urban. The show’s creator, Eric Kripke, has remained tight-lipped, but a recent interview with Collider hinted at a “mind-blowing” finale that pushes the boundaries of the show’s satirical violence. Starr’s farewell, however, shifts the focus to the human element behind the cape, reminding fans of the collaborative effort that brought this antihero to life.

The outpouring of support for Starr reflects the cultural impact of The Boys, which has garnered over 1.2 billion streaming minutes on Prime Video in 2025 alone, according to Nielsen. His farewell has also sparked discussions about his next steps, with rumors of a role in James Gunn’s DC Universe circulating on X. For now, Starr’s poignant goodbye serves as a love letter to a character that challenged him, a crew that supported him, and a fanbase that embraced the chaos. As he signs off as Homelander, Starr leaves behind a legacy that will linger long after the final credits roll.