The Boys star Jack Quaid has opened up about Hughie’s arc in the show’s final season while reflecting on what the series has meant to him. Created by Eric Kripke and based on the comics by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the Prime Video hit has built a large following with its dark, subversive twist on the superhero genre. After four explosive seasons of anti-hero takedowns, political satire, and increasingly unhinged super-powered mayhem, The Boys will end with season 5, and Quaid promises it will be a satisfying sendoff.
In an interview with ScreenRant during promotion for Neighborhood Watch, a new movie with Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Quaid reflected on his five-season journey playing Hughie. The actor explained how life-changing the role has been, and gave special thanks to the series creator for casting him in his breakout role. Quaid also shared a unique breakdown of Hughie’s progression across the seasons and revealed that playing Hughie with more confidence this season has been one of the more rewarding aspects of his arc. Read his full comments below:
What I can say about Hughie is, first of all, it’s just going to be crazy that it’s the last year of this show. It’s just changed my life in so many ways, and I am very grateful. I’m grateful for all of it. I’m so grateful to Eric Kripke for just changing everything for the better. I wouldn’t have been able to do this movie with Jeffrey [Dean Morgan] – wouldn’t have been able to do anything – if it wasn’t for The Boys. God, it’s gonna be a very bittersweet ending. I’m so grateful all these people are in my life now, and hopefully will be for a very long time.
But with Hughie, it has been really satisfying to play a character for five seasons and see a full arc. I’ve just never done that before. The only show I’ve done before this lasted a season, not to mention a few pilots that never got picked up. I’ve never played a character for this long before, so that’s so rewarding. But this season, I’ve really tried to make sure you can track Hughie’s growth.
In the first season, he’s like a baby. In the second season, he’s like a kid learning about everything. In the third season, he’s a teenager who’s kind of rebelling. In the fourth season, he’s really maturing and growing, because a huge thing happens to him. And then I think this is the season where he’s a full-blown man. It’s really interesting to play the character from a place of confidence, and I don’t think that has really happened before, so that’s been really interesting to do. I think fans will get a kick out of it.
What This Means For The Boys Season 5
A Satisfying Character Sendoff Could Anchor The Series Finale
Quaid’s reflection on Hughie’s arc in The Boys reveals just how intentional his growth has been. In a story dominated by corrupt superheroes, satirical gore, and government conspiracies, Hughie has always been a vulnerable yet determined presence who gives the series its heart. Hughie’s evolution from a helpless civilian to someone who can confidently stand head-to-head with Supes promises to be a vital emotional thread as the series concludes. If the show follows the events of Hughie’s ending in the original comics, The Boys could land a satisfying conclusion that sticks with the audience long after the credits roll.
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With Quaid teasing that Hughie is finally operating from a place of full maturity and confidence, the final season of The Boys may be the culmination of everything audiences have been wanting to see. The show has followed Hughie from the beginning of his journey, as he navigated grief, love, betrayal, and empowerment. If the ending stays true to the arc that began in season 1, the payoff of his evolution could be huge. Season 5 could give viewers the joy of seeing a character complete their arc with clarity and purpose, something not every series manages to pull off.
Our Take On Hughie’s Final Chapter
The Boys’ Success Is Rooted In Characters Like Hughie
One of the reasons The Boys continues to stand out in the oversaturated superhero genre is its ability to balance outrageous spectacle with grounded, human stories, and Hughie has always been at the heart of that. Jack Quaid brought an everyman charm to the role, offering vulnerability, humor, and emotional honesty in a world full of exaggerated chaos. Hughie’s growth into a true hero is one of the most rewarding arcs of the series, and as The Boys gears up for its final chapter, Quaid’s performance and Hughie’s arc deserve just as much recognition as the show’s most bombastic moments.
The Boys
7/10
- Release Date
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July 25, 2019
- Showrunner
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Eric Kripke
- Writers
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Eric Kripke
- Franchise(s)
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The Boys