Since its debut in 2019, The Boys has turned the superhero genre on its head, offering fans a twisted and brutal take on a world where superhumans, or “Supes,” are corrupted by power and greed. Based on the comic series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the show has become a global hit thanks to its unique blend of action, dark humor, and social commentary. As fans eagerly await the return of the show with The Boys Season 4, the excitement is palpable.
Season 3 of The Boys left viewers on the edge of their seats with shocking revelations, intense confrontations, and a growing sense of dread as tensions between the Boys and the Supes, particularly the terrifying Homelander, reached a boiling point. With Season 4 on the horizon, there’s plenty to speculate about what lies ahead for the series’ morally ambiguous characters. In this article, we’ll dive deep into what we know so far about The Boys Season 4, exploring potential plotlines, new characters, and what fans can expect from the latest chapter in this thrilling series.
A Quick Recap of The Boys So Far
Before jumping into what to expect from The Boys Season 4, let’s take a quick look back at where the show left off. Throughout its three seasons, The Boys has consistently pushed the boundaries of television, offering a gritty, cynical take on the superhero genre, where corporate greed, corruption, and abuse of power reign supreme.
At the heart of the series is Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), a vengeful man on a mission to take down the Supes, particularly Homelander (Antony Starr), the sociopathic leader of the superhero group “The Seven.” Alongside Butcher is a ragtag group known as “The Boys,” which includes Hughie Campbell (Jack Quaid), Frenchie (Tomer Capon), Mother’s Milk (Laz Alonso), and Kimiko (Karen Fukuhara). These ordinary humans use whatever means necessary to combat the god-like Supes, often finding themselves in over their heads.
The end of Season 3 saw several key developments:
Homelander’s Growing Power
Homelander becomes increasingly unstable, fully embracing his god complex and authoritarian tendencies. In the final moments of the season, Homelander shockingly murders someone in front of his son, Ryan, and a crowd of supporters. Instead of condemnation, he is cheered on, signaling the terrifying direction his character is heading.
Butcher’s Dilemma
After using temporary Compound V to gain superpowers, Butcher learns that the drug is lethal after prolonged use. With his health deteriorating and only months to live, Butcher’s mission to take down Homelander becomes more urgent—and desperate.
Starlight Joins The Boys
After leaving The Seven due to their corruption, Annie January, aka Starlight (Erin Moriarty), officially joins The Boys, aligning herself with Butcher’s mission.
Political Power Shifts
Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit), a secret Supe with the power to make heads explode, positions herself closer to the U.S. presidency. Her ascent to power poses a new and dangerous threat as she manipulates events behind the scenes.
With these plot threads hanging in the balance, The Boys Season 4 promises to dive deeper into the twisted dynamics between humans and Supes.
What to Expect in The Boys Season 4
As anticipation for The Boys Season 4 continues to build, fans have been treated to some tantalizing hints about what the upcoming season will entail. While the show’s creators and cast have been tight-lipped about major spoilers, several key details have emerged that give us a glimpse of what to expect.
Homelander’s Reign of Terror
One of the most pressing questions for Season 4 is how far Homelander will go now that he’s fully embraced his megalomania. With his power unchecked and his fanbase willing to overlook (or even celebrate) his atrocities, Homelander is likely to become an even more unpredictable and dangerous force. Antony Starr has hinted that Homelander’s actions will reach new levels of brutality in the next season, and we can expect him to clash even more fiercely with Butcher and The Boys.
A major plotline in Season 4 will likely revolve around Homelander’s relationship with his son, Ryan. At the end of Season 3, Ryan appears to accept his father’s influence, standing by his side as Homelander kills a protester. This suggests that Season 4 could explore the father-son dynamic as Homelander tries to mold Ryan into his image, creating an even more terrifying future threat.
Butcher’s Desperation
Butcher’s use of the temporary Compound V has left him with terminal consequences, giving him only months to live. This revelation is sure to push him into a more reckless and desperate mode as he races against time to take down Homelander once and for all. Butcher has always been a man willing to sacrifice everything for his goal, and with the clock ticking, Season 4 could see him make even more dangerous choices.
Butcher’s relationship with Hughie, his protege, is also likely to evolve as they face the increasingly dire situation. Will Butcher continue to rely on temporary Compound V, even at the cost of his own life, or will he find another way to level the playing field against the Supes?
Victoria Neuman’s Rise to Power
Victoria Neuman, the secret head-popping Supe, is poised to play a major role in The Boys Season 4. Now in a key political position, Neuman’s agenda is still unclear, but it’s evident that she’s playing a long game to gain power. Her manipulative and deadly abilities make her a formidable opponent, and it will be interesting to see how her storyline intersects with both The Boys and The Seven.
Will she align herself with Homelander, or will she seek to manipulate the situation for her own gain? With Neuman inching closer to the presidency, her character will likely become one of the central antagonists of the new season.
New Supes and Characters
Each season of The Boys has introduced new Supes, and Season 4 will be no different. One of the most exciting casting announcements for Season 4 is Jeffrey Dean Morgan, known for his role as Negan on The Walking Dead. While his character remains under wraps, fans are speculating that Morgan could portray a villainous Supe or a ruthless ally of The Boys.
Additionally, showrunner Eric Kripke has teased that Season 4 will introduce new Supes with even more bizarre and dangerous abilities. Fans can expect to see new faces—and new threats—shake up the power dynamics in the world of The Boys.
More Shocking Twists and Dark Humor
One of the hallmarks of The Boys is its ability to surprise viewers with shocking twists and unflinching violence. Season 4 is unlikely to deviate from this formula, and fans can expect the show to continue delivering jaw-dropping moments, dark humor, and brutal action sequences.
Given the show’s tendency to satirize real-world issues—such as celebrity culture, corporate greed, and political corruption—Season 4 may also delve deeper into contemporary themes, reflecting ongoing societal debates while skewering the superhero genre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will The Boys Season 4 be released
As of now, there is no official release date for The Boys Season 4. Filming for the new season began in 2022, so fans are expecting the new episodes to drop in late 2024 or early 2025, depending on post-production schedules.
Will there be new characters in Season 4?
Yes, Season 4 will introduce new characters, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan in an undisclosed role. The show is also likely to introduce new Supes with unique abilities.
What happened to Butcher in Season 3
At the end of Season 3, Butcher learns that using temporary Compound V has left him with terminal damage, and he has only months to live. This will be a major plot point in Season 4 as Butcher races against time to achieve his goal of defeating Homelander.
Will Homelander become more dangerous in Season 4
Absolutely. Homelander’s unchecked power and the support of his fanbase suggest that he will become even more dangerous and unpredictable in Season 4. His relationship with his son Ryan is also expected to be a major focus.
What role will Victoria Neuman play in Season 4
Victoria Neuman is poised to become a significant antagonist in Season 4. As she rises in political power, her secret identity as a Supe with deadly abilities makes her a major threat to both The Boys and the Supes.
Will Hughie and Starlight’s relationship survive
Hughie and Starlight’s relationship was tested throughout Season 3, but they reconciled in the end. However, with the escalating dangers around them, their relationship will likely face more challenges in Season 4.