'The Boys' star Antony Starr sparks buzz after saying 'life is messy' as the show's ending keeps fans talking

'The Boys' has officially wrapped up its run with the series finale having aired on May 20, but the conversation around the show's final season is far from over. In the days leading up to the finale, fans had been vocal about their dissatisfaction with what they perceived as filler episodes, prompting responses from both the cast and creators. Actor Antony Starr, who plays the villainous Homelander on the show, was among those who joined the online discourse, responding directly to a fan comment on Instagram that quickly made the rounds online.

What Antony Starr said in response to fan criticism

Starr's response came after an Instagram user commented on one of his posts, writing "y'all got a lot to wrap up next week." The actor replied simply, "Life is messy. Nothing ends up tidy," a comment that quickly circulated among fans debating what to expect from the finale.

He was not the only cast member to have acknowledged the criticism. Laz Alonso, who plays Mother's Milk on the show, recently shared a reel on Instagram referencing a "Soldier Boy Problem," nodding to one of the many unresolved threads fans were eager to see addressed.

What 'The Boys' showrunner Eric Kripke said

Co-creator and showrunner Eric Kripke also addressed the fan backlash directly. In an interview with TV Guide, Kripke pushed back against the filler episode criticism. "None of the things that happen in the last few episodes will matter if you don't flesh out the characters," he said.

He also questioned what exactly fans were expecting from the season. "I'm getting a lot of online dissatisfaction, to put it politely. And I'm like, 'What are you expecting? Are you expecting a huge battle scene every episode?"

Samuel L. Jackson's surprise cameo in Episode 7

Adding to the excitement around the final stretch of the season, 'The Boys' Season 5 Episode 7 featured an unannounced audio cameo from Marvel actor Samuel L. Jackson. Kripke confirmed the casting was no accident. "Distinct voice, who has a more distinct voice in Hollywood than Sam Jackson?" he said, also revealing that Jackson was the first and only choice for the role.

The series finale of 'The Boys' aired on May 20, with all episodes now available to stream.