When The Boys debuted in July 2019, it instantly became a streaming hit. With such a provocative premise that flipped the superhero genre on its head, the series seriously leaned into satire, social commentary, and jaw-dropping violence. It did so in a way Marvel and DC rarely dared to explore. And the cast has added to that appeal. It is led by Karl Urban (Billy Butcher), Antony Starr (Homelander), Jack Quaid (Hughie Campbell) and Erin Moriarty (Annie January, aka Starlight). These key players have quickly become fan favorites for their morally complicated characters and layered performances. 

This release may be the perfect watch for superhero fans who enjoy a bit of an edge. Over four seasons, The Boys has grown into one of Amazon Prime Video’s flagship originals, with spinoffs like Gen V proving the appetite for this twisted universe was far from fading. But with speculation swirling about cancellation, fans are now asking one big question: Is The Boys cancelled, or is there more to look forward to? Here’s what we know about the widely successful series. 

Is ‘The Boys’ DC or Marvel?

Because The Boys features some superheroes in capes, it’s often mistaken for being connected to DC Comics or Marvel Studios. But that’s not the case, as Business Insider reports. The series is actually based on the comic series of the same name, written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Darick Robertson. This comic was first published through Dynamite Entertainment, which is completely separate from Marvel and DC.

What makes The Boys so distinct is that it is actually a deconstruction of traditional superhero tropes and mythology. Instead of portraying “supes” as flawless saviors, it presents them as deeply flawed, corrupt and dangerous when left unchecked. This unique perspective allows this series to parody some iconic heroes, like Superman or Wonder Woman without necessarily being tied to them in an existing cinematic universe.

As viewers will discover, The Boys is deliberately one of the darkest spins on superheroes to date. Yet this take has obviously caught on, much like that of DC’s Snyderverse, which is well-known for its gritty characterizations and dark visual and moral landscape.  

When is ‘The Boys’ season five coming?

Season five of The Boys is officially happening, but it’s not here yet. Amazon Prime renewed the series in May 2024, just days before season four premiered. This move showed its confidence in the project, but also amped up its already loyal fanbase for an exciting new chapter. It is important to note that the creator and showrunner of the series, Eric Kripke, made a significant announcement concerning the new season. As shared with Hollywood Reporter, season five will serve as the final chapter of The Boys, bringing the main series to a planned close. 

Production for the last season began in November 2024 and wrapped in July 2025. According to Forbes, the massive amount of editing and special effects required means that a 2026 release is most likely. That timeline makes sense, given how previous seasons have often needed more than a year between filming and release. While the wait may be frustrating, it also suggests that the final season of this well-loved series will be polished properly before its conclusion.  

Did Amazon cancel ‘The Boys’?

The ending of the series may confuse fans who know that the fan base is as strong as ever. But the word “cancelled” doesn’t necessarily fit the situation. Amazon Prime hasn’t abruptly axed the series due to poor performance or low viewership. In fact, it still remains one of the streamers’ most popular originals. Instead, the final season five is the product of a creative decision to conclude the series deliberately. As showrunner Eric Kripke has confirmed, he always envisioned a five-season arc.

It’s also important to note that the larger universe continues to expand while the flagship series is ending. This means that spinoffs like Gen V, which have proven to be successful and popular, will carry on. And for fans of the animated miniseries The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Amazon has expressed interest in future projects set in the same world, as Hollywood Reporter shares.

How much does ‘The Boys’ cast get paid per episode?

With all of the series’ success, fans might be wondering if the stars of the show are getting a piece of the pie. Amazon hasn’t released official salary numbers, but estimates give us a rough picture of how much the cast really earns. According to multiple reports, lead actors like Karl Urban and Antony Starr likely made between $200,000 and $500,000 per episode by the later seasons of the show. And this puts them in the same tier as stars of other major streaming hits. Other sources claim that the main cast falls more in the $200,000 to $250,000 range. This is still a substantial increase from earlier seasons when salaries would have been lower. 

At the same time, supporting actors make significantly less. They have income sometimes as low as $40,000 to $55,000 per episode, per Slash Music. But it is important to note that these numbers are speculative and salaries in the entertainment industry are often confidential. Plus, they may also include bonuses and backend profits. Still, given The Boys’ popularity and Amazon’s long-standing investment in the series, it’s reasonable to assume its top stars are highly compensated. 

Is ‘The Boys’ filmed in Canada?

Despite being set in a fictionalized version of New York City, The Boys was not filmed in the United States. So, yes, it was filmed almost entirely in Ontario, Canada. Surprisingly, Toronto serves as the show’s primary backdrop. And as Game Rant reports, local streets, landmarks and skyscrapers were altered to mimic Manhattan. For example, Toronto’s Roy Thompson Hall has been transformed into Vought’s towering headquarters, the Seven Tower. They did so through some clever visual effects. 

Production for the show frequently branches out beyond Toronto as well. Some scenes have been shot in Mississauga, Hampton, Brampton and Oshawa, per MovieMaps. And one of the series’ most iconic sequences, the A-Train vs Shockwave footrace, was filmed at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field. Interestingly, some computer-generated effects were used to fill in the roaring crowd. Overall, though, this Canadian filming approach is highly beneficial for production. For one, it provides cost savings. But it also secures a versatile mix of both urban and suburban locations. These locations can be conveniently and convincingly adapted to resemble the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Homelander?

According to ScreenRant, the character Homelander was born in the spring of 1981, making him 41 years old. But that depends on the timeline in which viewers watch him on screen. For example, as viewers discover in season three, episode seven, he would have been that old in the series, but in the spin-off (The Boys Presents: Diabolical), the timeline is much different.  

Is The Boys available on Prime?

Yes, the series is available to watch since it is an Amazon Prime Video exclusive.