‘The Boys’ showrunner explains why Jensen Ackles is returning as Soldier Boy in Season 5: “Despite his dark past, we felt he deserved another chance”

 The Boys showrunner Eric Kripke on why he is bringing back Soldier Boy as next season’s extra antagonist

Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy in The Boys season 3

(Image credit: Amazon Studios)

Probably the biggest news to come out of The Boys panel at San Diego Comic-Con, aside from the new Boys spin-off, has to be the fact that Soldier Boy is returning to play a central role once again in The Boys season 5. But showrunner Eric Kripke says there is a reason behind his return, and it’s all to do with his son Homelander.

“You know, what we realized was we really hadn’t explored the father-son relationship much between Homelander and Soldier Boy,” Kripke tells Gamesradar+ at SDCC 2024. “There’s a lot of material there, how soldier boy feels about Homelander, how Homelander feels about his dad, and so we really wanted to dig into that relationship.”

We got a taste of Soldier Boy and Homelander’s dysfunctional father-son relationship in season 3 when it was revealed that the Captain America-esque Supe, played by Supernatural’s Jensen Ackles, was Homelander’s biological dad. But the reunion didn’t go as planned when Soldier Boy rejected his so-called son when the two met up at Vought Tower. Soldier Boy harshly remarked, “Buddy… you think you look strong? You’re wearing a cape. You’re just a cheap fucking knockoff.” To make matters worse, he then tried to attack Homelander’s son Ryan.

But it seems like the two will bury the hatchet in season 5 as, despite getting off on the wrong foot on their last meeting, Homelander and Soldier Boy do share a common enemy: Billy Butcher. “Soldier Boy is really driven to kill Butcher after Butcher betrayed him in season 3,” reveals Kripke. “So he’s just an excellent antagonist, to switch sides and basically, you know, to be with the supes.”

But besides Soldier Boy’s reasons for returning, it is undeniable that the retro Supe is a fan favorite and was sorely missed from The Boys season 4, until we got to see a tiny glimpse of him in a cheeky post-credits scene. And the love was shown at SDCC too, when the crowd went wild as Ackles took to the stage. “We were just really excited to bring him out. And, you know, Jensen, despite his tragic ugliness you know, we thought we should give him a shot,” jokes Kripke.

The Boys seasons 1-4 are available to stream on Prime Video right now. The Boys season 5 is set to air in 2026. For more, check out the SDCC 2024 live blog, or see our list of the best shows on Prime Video

Related Posts

Sullivan Crossing Season 4 Bombshell: Two-Month Delay Sparks Chaos as Maggie Faces a Jaw-Dropping Transformation!

The beloved Canadian drama Sullivan Crossing has kept fans on the edge of their seats with its heartfelt storytelling, picturesque settings, and complex characters. As anticipation for…

Unveiled Secrets and Deadly Games: A Mysterious Diary at Sophie’s Door Threatens to Unravel Maple Brook’s Darkest Truths in The Hunting Wives Season 2

The sultry, scandal-soaked world of The Hunting Wives is poised to return with a second season that promises to deepen the intrigue and amplify the stakes for…

Sweet Magnolias Season 5 Shocks Fans with Early October 2025 Premiere, But Will the Heart of Serenity’s Legacy Survive a Dramatic Transformation?

The beloved Netflix series Sweet Magnolias has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide with its heartwarming portrayal of friendship, love, and small-town life in Serenity, South Carolina….

Netflix’s Leanne Drops Jaw-Dropping Midnight Surprise: Season 3 Sneak Peek Ignites Fan Frenzy Before Season 2 Finale!

In an unexpected move that has sent shockwaves through its dedicated fanbase, Netflix’s heartwarming sitcom Leannehas pulled off a midnight coup, unveiling tantalizing glimpses of its third…

🌟😱 Netflix’s ‘Leanne’ Season 2 is almost here — get ready for love on the brink, shocking betrayals, and dreams that could turn everything upside down 🌪💔👉

Netflix’s heartwarming sitcom Leanne, created by comedy titan Chuck Lorre and starring the effervescent Leanne Morgan, took the streaming world by storm with its 16-episode debut on…

🌟🕵️ Netflix’s crime masterpiece wraps its finale with jaw-dropping revelations — who survived, who betrayed, and why Season 2 can’t come fast enough 🔪🌊👉

Netflix’s The Waterfront, which premiered on June 19, 2025, has stormed onto the streaming platform as a riveting crime drama, blending gritty family dynamics with coastal intrigue…