As filming wraps for The Boys season 5, Karl Urban, who has brought the character of Billy Butcher to life throughout all five seasons, has bid an emotional farewell to the cast and crew.
Since the show’s premiere in 2019, The Boys has become a widely popular Prime Video series, known for its dark satire of superheroes, politics, and the media. Urban’s portrayal of the anti-supe activist has been central to the show’s success, but now, as filming comes to an end, he reflects on the journey that has defined much of his career.
Karl Urban’s Heartfelt Goodbye
Taking to Instagram, Urban shared a touching post to mark the end of filming for The Boys. Posting a picture of himself alongside Jack Quaid (Hughie), the two actors are seen on the beach, still in full costume, as they wrap up the final season.
Urban described the entire experience as a “life-changing ride” and referred to the final season as “FARKIN BIBLICAL.” He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to film the last scenes in Hawaii, noting how special the moment was for him.
While The Boys has garnered immense popularity and has become a beloved part of pop culture, the news of the final season’s filming wrapping up comes with mixed emotions for fans and cast alike. Urban’s reflection on the project that has been a huge part of his career is particularly poignant, as the show has been a constant presence in his life for nearly eight years.
A Journey That Spans Eight Years
Urban pointed out that being part of a project for eight years is no small feat for any actor. Over the years, he’s become deeply intertwined with The Boys, navigating the show’s massive success and the challenges it faced, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting dynamics within Hollywood.
This long journey has taken the cast through some major cultural shifts, and Urban’s connection to the character of Billy Butcher has been a major highlight for both fans and critics alike.
The show’s development itself has been much longer than the eight years that the main cast has been involved. The Boys’ journey started when the rights to the controversial comic book series by Garth Ennis were passed around Hollywood for over a decade before it finally found a home at Prime Video.
Showrunner Eric Kripke, who has also been a key part of the show’s creative vision, joined in 2016 and is now also preparing to wrap up his involvement with the series.
What This Means for The Boys
While it’s sad to say goodbye to a show that’s reached such incredible heights, Urban’s post reminds us that it’s often better to end on a high note. Showrunner Eric Kripke’s decision to conclude the series after season 5 is a deliberate choice, ensuring that The Boys doesn’t overstay its welcome.
The show has reached a point where the character of Homelander, played by Antony Starr, has become such a powerful and villainous force that prolonging his story beyond this season might risk diminishing the impact of his character.
Kripke has previous experience with a show running beyond its original plan—Supernatural lasted over 15 years, well past its intended five-season arc.
As satisfying as it is to see a show grow into something bigger than expected, Supernatural’s later seasons were criticized for losing direction. Kripke seems to have learned from this, making the right decision to end The Boys at its peak, before it risks becoming repetitive.
