The Boys Season 3 is well underway, with the Amazon Prime series continuing its irreverent romp through its disaffected world of corrupted superheroes and the outmatched humans seeking to regain control over their society. The showrunners have brought back every character for the latest batch of episodes based on Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson's original comics.
While The Boys primarily focuses on Billy Butcher and Hughie Campbell, played by Karl Urban and Jack Quaid respectively, it also features a star-studded cast of familiar faces that serve as supporting characters throughout Billy and Hughie's adventures. Though not protagonists in the traditional sense, some of these characters carry with them an energy that could say otherwise - and some are almost 'main characters' in their own right, almost at the same level as the core pair.
Soldier Boy
After months of fan anticipation for Jensen Ackles's debut in The Boys, Soldier Boy has finally made his first appearance in the series. Soldier Boy, a clear parody of the MCU's Captain America, is a long-thought-dead Supe who disappeared after heroically stopping a nuclear explosion in 1984. It was only decades later that the truth was revealed and Soldier Boy made his return to the modern world.
Despite only appearing in a handful of episodes so far, Ackles has already proven to be a bonafide scene-stealer as Soldier Boy. The character, who has a major storyline in the comics, is primed for an integral role in coming episodes and, with a history of superheroic endeavors that spans almost a century, could easily lead a spinoff prequel series of his own.
The Deep
Chase Crawford portrays The Boys' resident Aquaman rip-off, the Deep. Now a newly-reinstated member of the Seven, the Deep publically attempts to atone for his previous misdeeds, all while being fed his lines by his wife Cassandra, who is on behalf of the Church of the Collective, a cult with nefarious purposes.
The Deep may be just as morally disgusting as many of his fellow members of the Seven, but the character is portrayed as far more comedic than many of the other corrupt Supes, almost making him a sympathetic villain in the process. Moreover, the character's bizarre B-stories throughout The Boys have almost played as their own series already.
Victoria Neuman
Victoria Neuman, formerly known as Nadia Edgar, is a United States congresswoman who was tasked with heading up the division monitoring Vought International and their superpowered spawn. However, Claudia Doumit's character is revealed to be the adoptive daughter of Vought CEO Stan Edgar himself, as well as a Supe with the power to blow up others' heads.
Neuman is an incredibly complex character who seems to play both sides of the ongoing secret war between the Seven and Vought. As a mother, she attempts to protect her child, yet injects her with Compound V to do so. As a congresswoman, she vows to protect the country's citizens from Supes, yet is one herself. And, as Stan Edgar's daughter, she claims to be on her father's side, only to align herself with Homelander during his hostile takeover.
MM
Marvin T. Milk (Laz Alonso), known to his friends as "Mother's Milk" or "MM," is a member of Billy Butcher's team to put Supes in their place. Despite the messy business he and his compatriots are wrapped up in, MM has a nasty case of OCD, liking everything to be neat and orderly. In Season 3, MM struggles with PTSD over the loss of his father, all while trying to look out for his own daughter following his divorce from Monique.
Mother's Milk is one of the most lovable members of the Boys, who attempts to keep his head on straight despite the team's increasingly difficult battles with corrupt Supes. His storyline throughout Season 3 has been especially compelling, as he struggles with fatherhood while reliving the death of his own father.
Queen Maeve
Dominique McElligott portrays Queen Maeve, a Supe based on the DCEU's adaptation of Wonder Woman, who is a member of the Seven. After years of living under the subjugation of Homelander, Maeve begins to work with Billy Butcher in secret, orchestrating Homelander's downfall from the shadows.
Maeve may have started the series as a villain, but her gradual redemption has proven to be a very compelling arc throughout the last two seasons. Her journey from willing accomplice to an active spy for the protagonists has revitalized the character in a way that causes fans to hope they haven't seen the last of her after her sudden kidnapping at the hands of Homelander and Black Noir.
A-Train
Jessie T. Usher's A-Train is the Seven's resident speedster, whose speed has begun to dissipate over the last several years. Despite undergoing a rebranding throughout Season 3, A-Train is responsible for some truly terrible things, including the death of Hughie's one-time girlfriend, Robin.
A-Train is one of several characters on the series that often embarks on his own adventures throughout the course of each season of The Boys. In a sense, he leads his very own spinoff set within the very episodes of the flagship show wherein he goes on a journey of self-discovery as his powers begin to fade at an alarming rate.
Frenchie
Serge, known to his friends as "Frenchie," is a character played by Tomer Capon. As a member of the Boys, he acts as the resident weapons specialist, whose former ties to the black market have come in handy over the years. He is also the boyfriend of Kimiko, who helped with her initial rehabilitation following her capture in season 1.
Frenchie may have a checkered history, but he often acts as the heart of the group, especially when it comes to Kimko. His unshakeable love for his friends is truly admirable, especially given how difficult people like Billy Butcher make his life on a daily basis. Nevertheless, Frenchie remains as steadfast as ever, making him a true fan favorite in the series.
Kimiko
Kimiko, also known as The Female, is a member of Billy Butcher's team to kill every corrupted Supe that abuses their power. Imbued with super strength herself, Kimiko, who is portrayed by Karen Fukuhara, often acts as the muscle for her team, though she despises the powers that have led her to take so many lives.
Kimiko is one character that certainly deserves more screentime in season 3 of The Boys. Her current arc has led her on an intriguing journey as she attempts to live without using her powers. Kimiko's only desire is to be like everybody else, an aspiration demonstrated in the current season through imagined musical numbers and dance routines that have truly enhanced the character in the eyes of the show's audience.
Starlight
Erin Moriarty plays Annie January, the Supe known as Starlight, who is a current member of the Seven and the Boys' inside woman at Vought. She works tirelessly to turn the other Supes in the Seven against Homelander, only to find herself put into increasingly uncomfortable positions by the deranged superhero.
In many ways, Starlight is the true hero of The Boys. As one of the few uncorrupted members of the Seven, she has held steadfast to her morals despite her increasingly toxic environment and borderline-abusive upbringing. Her arc is a highlight throughout the series as she grows in confidence, even in the midst of the unscrupulous Homelander.
Homelander
Antony Starr's Homelander is the most famous superhero in the world and the leader of the Seven. Choosing to no longer live by Vought's rules in the third season of The Boys, Homelander deposes Stan Edgar and seizes control of the company himself, which only serves his increasingly unstable ego, making his eventual breakdown inevitable.
The writers of The Boys treat Homelander's storyline with just as much care as they do those of their protagonists. The Supe's arc is vital to the core of The Boys, as it is his increasing instability that drives much of the show's tension, causing the audience to wonder what will finally cause him to break. Aided by Starr's chilling performance, Homelander is one of the most interesting characters that The Boys has to offer.