Antony Starr reflects on Homelander's milk obsession in 'The Boys'

Starr discussed the evolution of Homelander's quirky milk fetish in 'The Boys' and its unexpected fan appeal.

Antony Starr, known for his role as Homelander in Amazon's 'The Boys', recently delved into the origins of his character's bizarre milk obsession that has captivated viewers since its inception.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Starr recounted how the peculiar theme first emerged as a script detail, crediting the writing team for its originality.

"It started with X-ray visioning my Oedipal mummy figure [Madelyn Stillwell played by Elisabeth Shue] while she was breastfeeding," Starr explained. "At the start of Season Two, Homelander discovers some of her breast milk in a freezer, lasers it, and starts drinking it."

Starr expressed his enthusiasm for the unexpected storyline, revealing his immediate plea to showrunner Eric Kripke to integrate more milk-related moments into the series. "We gotta get as much milk in this show as possible," he recalled suggesting to Kripke, who was already on board with expanding the motif.

"Now every opportunity we get, the milk thing comes out," Starr added, highlighting its evolving presence as a comedic signature embraced by fans.

In the latest season's episode 'Here Comes a Candle to Light You to Bed', Homelander's milk quest takes an even stranger turn as he encounters a cow on a farm, milking it directly into a bucket for consumption.

'The Boys', adapted from the comic book series of the same name, features Starr as Homelander, the diabolical leader of a cadre of superhumans controlled by a corrupt corporation.

Starr also addressed comparisons of his character to real-world figures like Donald Trump, emphasizing the depth and complexity the show seeks to explore beyond mere caricature.

As the series progresses into Season Four, Starr teased deeper explorations into Homelander's origins and psychological makeup, promising a nuanced portrayal that goes beyond superficial parallels to real-world events.