The Boys: Eric Kripke Responds to Claims That the Series Is ‘Woke’
Eric Kripke, the creator and showrunner of the series The Boys, has never shied away from controversy and has used his platform to comment on social and political issues. Recently, in an interview with ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’ he responded to criticisms labeling the series as ‘woke,’ meaning overly conscious or concerned with social issues and social justice. In the interview, Kripke made it clear that he has no intention of apologizing or changing the direction of the series due to these complaints.
Since its inception, ‘The Boys’ has been a satire of 21st-century America, exploring the intersection between celebrity, authoritarianism, and how media and entertainment can be used to sell fascist ideologies. When asked about the criticisms branding the series as ‘woke,’ Kripke responded, «That’s fine. Watch something else. But I certainly won’t soften or apologize for what we’re doing. Some people who watch the series believe that Homelander is the hero. What can you say to that? The series is many things. Subtle is not one of them. So if that’s the message you’re getting, I just throw my hands up.»
Kripke has always been clear about his perspective and is not afraid to incorporate it into the series’ narrative. For him, ‘The Boys’ has always aimed to reflect the current political and social climate, especially in the context of Trumpism and mass manipulation by authoritarian figures.
The fourth season of ‘The Boys’ promises to continue exploring political and social themes with the same boldness as its previous seasons. According to Kripke, this season will feature a presidential race being undermined by fascist forces, once again reflecting current political realities.
The season will open with Homelander on trial for murder, and one of the major themes will be the question of whether it is possible to convict someone so powerful of a crime and what that means for their followers and opponents.
The main cast returns with Karl Urban as Billy Butcher, Jack Quaid as Hughie Campbell, Antony Starr as Homelander, and Erin Moriarty as Starlight, among others. Additionally, Valorie Curry will be introduced as Firecracker and Susan Heyward as Sister Sage, new characters that will add more dynamism to the plot.
The fourth season of ‘The Boys’ is set to premiere on June 13, 2024. The first three episodes will be available on that date, followed by a weekly release schedule.