The Boys director Catriona McKenzie explains Ashley’s (Colby Minifie) decision to stay at Vought after the mole was revealed in season 4, episode 7. A key storyline throughout much of The Boys season 4 has been regarding a leak at Vought after it becomes clear that someone is working with Butcher (Karl Urban) and his team. Episode 7 sees Homelander (Antony Starr) and his allies finally figure out that A-Train (Jessie T. Usher) is the mole, causing A-Train to run for the hills, but not before he pleads with Ashley to join him.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, McKenzie touches on why Ashley decides to stay at Vought in The Boys season 4, episode 7, despite her clear reservations about the company and the evil Supes that control it. According to the director, Ashley is just in too deep with Vought and Homelander. Check out McKenzie’s comment below:

“I love that moment with A-Train and Ashley because I think, exactly like Butcher, there are people who have made their bed and made it so deep and so vast that they have to lay in it. And she’s a beautiful actor because you can see the moment where she holds onto that tiny window of possibility; the thought of just leaving this absolute clusterf–k behind.

But she can’t because she’s so invested. A-Train’s like, ‘Wake up, get out, run!’ But she just can’t do it because that’s the hole that she’s dug for herself. And is it greed? Is it ambition? I don’t know, but she just can’t do it. She can’t walk away from the absolute toxic waste dump of her life. And that’s very human. It’s a very human thing. I’m older now, but I’ve had those choices. I look back and am like, ‘Why didn’t you run for the hills?'”

Is Ashley Redeemable In The Boys?

What Season 5 Could Have In Store For The Character

Ashley has been a core part of The Boys cast of characters since season 1, and she now serves as the puppet CEO of Vought. While she isn’t a Supe, she has overseen, orchestrated, and been aware of most of the evil doings going on at the company, and she has proven herself to be ruthless, self-interested, and, at times, despicable. Ashley herself may not be directly murdering people, but her ambition has resulted in her turning a blind eye to some horrible deeds.

In recent seasons, however, the actual amount of power that Ashley holds has been reduced, effectively, to zero, and she is forced to tip-toe around at Vought as she attempts to avoid getting on Homelander’s bad side. Frustrated with her own lack of agency at the company and in life, Ashley gets some petty revenge against Homelander by using his private bathroom and not flushing. Season 4 certainly puts some cracks in Ashley’s resolve, and it’s clear that she has doubts, but her decision to stay at Vought when she had an out is telling.

That being said, it’s certainly possible that Ashley will be pushed over the edge in The Boys season 5, which is confirmed to be the show’s last. If Homelander continues mistreating her, Ashley could end up making a last-minute decision to help take him down, especially if it furthers her own self-interest. Ashley getting a happily ever after ending in The Boys, however, is looking doubtful considering the bad choices she’s made thus far.